Chotard Doll

Friends,

Two members of my family recently acquired hearing aids, and suddenly new worlds of communication and sharing have opened—for those who speak and those who hear. So I took special notice today about how the lessons reflect on hearing. 

Isaiah says, “Your Lord will come and save you, and unstop the deaf ears.” (Isaiah 35: 5)

The Psalmist reminds us that God’s voice speaks clearly through creation and individually to the heart, without words.

“The heavens declare the glory of God

and the firmament shows his handiwork.

One day tells its tale to another

and one night imparts knowledge to another.

Although they have no words or language

and their voices are not heard,

Their sound has gone out into all lands

and their message to the ends of the world.”

—Psalm 19: 1-4 BCP version

And in Mark’s gospel, Jesus himself unstops the ears of the deaf man and restores his speech. (Mark 7:35)

So the Holy Spirit, speaking through the words of Scripture, urges us to stop and listen. “The word is near you, on your lips and in your hearts. (Romans 10:8)

How do we stop and listen for God’s voice, above, behind, and through the events of our lives?  Clearly, God speaks in many ways: through chance encounters, our own observations, all the events and people who make up our lives, and also through times of holy silence as we withdraw to wait upon the Lord.  Can we hear that voice? Do we recognize it or ignore it? How do we honor it above the many voices we hear in our lives, including the one generated by our own selfishness?

I am a birder, and when I hear the call of a bird, I immediately turn off all other sounds to concentrate on that all-important note. How much more rewarding to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, calling me to stop and listen, to stop and be present to the Lord.

Perhaps we all need holy hearing aids!

Faithfully, 

—Chotard