Opening Our Ears

Series - Lent

ways to pray? combining an activity you enjoy with prayer; focus better when you are doing something that gives you life.

taking off a bad habit, a destructive attitude? take on a new practice? permanent? strange to me;

helps us see the poor (notice their very presence);

helps us listen to their cries (are we serving their needs or serving them now we want to?)

Sermon Introduction - political debate - most are not listening or cheering? already decided. listening to each candidate? election anxiety - tv turns off as easily as turning on

Jesus ignored throughout his ministry; enough for me to give up

purpose of fasting / Lent - space to listen

fast tv - listen; ever distracted by the tv?

smart phones - listen to kids?

taking work home (emotionally and

fast meal - take time to listen

create a space where you can hear

We don’t listen because we don’t want to; hear what we want to hear - why was Jesus ignored?

why do we not want to listen? think of a time where you chose not to or didnt’ want to; you ignored; lived in denial;

selective listening

1. We rather try to pay attention only to the things that confirm our beliefs or opinions.

2. If we come across information or a person who contradicts our beliefs, we tend to reject them.

3. Message

think of a time where you weren’t heard

we don’t hear because we don’t want to

3 wants - selective listening - power; enemy of faith;

Herod wants to kill - power, control; the mission continues

Jesus wants to gather - his desire for us, even the indifferent, violent towards him; hearing his desperation; frustration

Jerusalem did not want to be gathered - religious, devout, practicing, observing

they are not listening

allows them to experience the consequences of ignoring

Jerusalem did not want to be gathered

Do we want to listen? What do we want?

Hearing v. preparing to hear; hearing v. understanding;

Do we want to hear?

If we did listen, we would hear:

God’s desire for relationship; gather in - relationship, knowing

We are often not a listening God’s passion for the poor

send out - hear the cry of the needy (never thought of shoes - how that idea evolved; eager to participate)

poverty is urgent; urgency is not the same as panic