THE ART OF LISTENING

By: Dra Josephine Holgado

To Master the Art of Listening, you must go on a silent retreat.

Be like the Prophet Elijah who went up to the mountain to hear the Word of God. The voice was not in the wind. It was not in the earthquake. It was not even in the fire. But Elijah heard it as a gentle whisper.

You have to sit, relax and listen amidst the noise brought about by the fear of COVID 19 and economic uncertainty to discern God's will for your life. God knows well the plans He has in mind for you but you may not know it for now. During the Holy Week, go on a silent retreat at home since you have no other place to go.

HUMILITY

When you go out to buy food, be humble because the virus became an equalizer. Await your turn in queues and follow rules.

EMPATHY

Understand the needs of others. Put yourselves in their shoes. Share and not hoard. Give others the chance to survive as well.

AWARENESS

Open your eyes to the truth. Be aware of what is happening around you. Protect yourself by observing proper hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing.

RESPECT

Respect authority when they tell you to stay at home because they themselves are risking their lives by exposing themselves to protect you. Respect health care workers because you need them to take care of you when you succumb to COVID.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Pray and ask for Divine intervention to heal the sick, to restore lives and to unite families. Arm yourselves with prayer and strengthen the faith to fight and overcome this pandemic.

You learn the art of listening when you have HEARD (Humility, Empathy, Awareness, Respect, Divine Intervention).

Stay home. Keep safe. God bless everyone.