Malankara World

Today with Jesus

Listening

by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada

Today's Bible Verse

"It is stupid and embarrassing to give answers before you listen." (Proverbs 18:13)

Discussion

Have you ever felt that others do not understand you?

St. Francis of Assisi asked God to help him to “seek first to understand, then to be understood. The best way of communication is to understand others before you are understood. “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinion” (Proverbs 18:2). Effective listening is the number one communication skill requisite to success in your professional and personal life. Dr. James Lynch, Co-Director of the Psycho Physiological Clinic and Laboratories at the University of Maryland has documented that actual healing of the cardio-vascular system takes place when we listen. Blood pressure rises when people speak, and lowers when they listen. He concluded that, "Listening is essential for good health."

A man goes to the doctor and says, “Doc, my wife’s hearing is not good as it used to be. What should I do?” The doctor replied, "Here is the test - when your wife is in the kitchen, stand behind 15 feet of her and ask a question. If she does not respond, keep moving closer asking the same question until she hears you."

He goes home and stands behind 15 feet of his wife and asks, "Honey, what is for dinner?"

There was no response. So he moves closer, "Honey, what's for dinner?"

Still no response. So he steps even closer, "Honey, what's for dinner?"

No reply. Now he’s standing directly behind her, "Honey, what‘s for dinner?”

"For the fourth time, I said Chicken."

"My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry" (James 1:19).

Prayer

Jesus, let us listen and follow your scriptures. Let us understand others. Let us be a good listener to our family members, our neighbors, friends, and our enemies. Control our tongues when we are distressed and angered. Let us sow the seeds of peace from our mouth. All we ask in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

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