To which voice do you listen? In Matthew 17:5 we read. “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
God's voice still echoes, inviting us to listen to Jesus. The telling of this pivotal part of the gospel draws us into the presence of the beloved son. We are invited to be close as were Peter, James and John but more than that we are called to listen to Jesus.
The Greek verb for listen is "akouó". Whilst primarily this means to hear or listen; it encompasses both the physical act of hearing and the deeper understanding or comprehension of what is heard. In the New Testament, "akouó" is often used to describe the act of hearing the word of God, the teachings of Jesus, or the message of the Gospel. It implies not just auditory reception but also an attentive and obedient response to what is heard.
Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian once described the difference between listening and obedience in this way. “The word 'obedience,' he said, “comes from the Latin obaudire, which means 'to hear.' By contrast the Latin word for 'deaf' is absurdus, from which we get our word 'absurd.' To truly hear Christ is to obey him; not to hear and obey is the way of absurdity in living.”
Reveal your presence to us this day,
O God of light, love, and glory.
As you did to your servants at the foot of the mountain,
send your Spirit to show us your story.
May the brilliance of your face
illuminate this place
as we dare to proclaim your Word
and may we, your people, be never unable
to tell all of that we have heard. Amen
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