Here is a link to three translations for this week’s Scripture –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201%3A19-27&version=NRSV,ESV,MSG

VII.
Today let’s notice how some of this passage is presented in The Message –

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:22-25)

VIII.
We hear him first say, “be quick to listen.” Or how do you like it in The Message, “Lead with your ears, follow with your tongue…”?

But then he wants us to know there is listening and then there is really hearing, “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other.”

Should we call this “active listening”? Maybe listening not just with the ears but with the mind and heart and soul also.

But he is not finished yet! “Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”

Listen – Listen deeply and fully – Act on what you hear

IX.
I know I have been any number of places listening to someone and yet I don’t remember anything said, and on top of that, if I don’t remember, I certainly can’t practice it.

So today, I need to ask myself several questions.

First, what prevents me from hearing? What gets in my way of hearing something worthy of being heard?

Second, what do I need to change in my way of hearing and paying attention so I deeply absorb what is put before me?

Third, once I have fully grasped what is offered, what stands in my way of acting on it?

Now that I think about it, those questions presuppose another, even more essential question – am I at a place to hear what Jesus wants his disciples to hear, consider, and act on?

Where do I need to be and how do I get there?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}