Listen

Really, it should be Listen!  In a 21st century world where sound is ever present (the music pumped into space while I am pumping my gas is my current annoyance), we hear a lot, but listen to little.

Yet, it is a command as clear as can be, from God, to disciples everywhere, "Listen to him!" and it comes to us from the mountaintop of the Transfiguration.  We will be listening to that story from Luke 9 this coming Sunday.

What does Listen involve?  Leaning forward and engaging the speaker?  Turning off our phones, clearing our minds and hands of distractions and focusing?  Giving thought to the words, considering the implications, reviewing the intersections between the speaker's words and our lives?

I am fairly sure that this kind of Listening is more than just the acquisition of facts; it is active, visible, eventful at least to some small degree.  Sunday we will be commanded to Listen to Jesus - a command that sets up Jesus' teaching as authoritative - authoritative as in 'guideposts for your actions and life.'

It begins with the command to Listen; no less important that the command to Follow.  Wrapped up in these two commands is God's gift of new life, grace, wholeness, forgiveness, belonging through Jesus.  I pray you are Listening closely.