Sunday 29 August

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; Psalm 15; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Listen to me and understand

One of the common observations of lockdown is that we could hear the birds again. Industrial noise was silenced so that tui, kōkako, and fantail could all have their say. This is true in our inner world too. We need to allow space in our interior landscape so that we can listen to Jesus. What disposes us best to listen? How can we reduce the cacophony of inner noise that disturbs sleep and distracts us from listening to God? Sometimes drinking a cup of tea slowly will do the trick, or playing a favourite piece of music, or some reflective walking might all be some of the ways that support our deep listening to Jesus. In the observations of Jesus in today’s gospel, there is the call of Jesus to simply listen to him.