Listening in Our Passion

Helen Syski is inspired by a Christian behind the Iron Curtain to enact her belief in the Holy Spirit and dare to listen this Holy Week.

Do we listen closely and act boldly for the Holy Spirit?

Brother Andrew, who converted to the Protestant faith after years as an agnostic/atheist, was called to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain and ultimately to write his story in God’s Smuggler. This book is an incredible testimony to what happens when we listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to us. The expectation that God is working miracles now, is actively intervening in the world now, is palpable throughout the pages of the book.

Most striking to me is Brother Andrew’s description of a particular prayer group he is asked to attend. He is astonished, for this group is unlike other prayer groups he had seen.

What shocked him was the silence.

There was no theme, no spoken meditation, no reading aloud, no discussion. The silence of the group was only broken by:

an occasional prayer said aloud … but these prayers were more like outbursts of love and praise for God than thought-out petitions … Occasionally, in the listening, expectant stillness, one of the group would apparently hear something else: some instruction, some piece of information, that came from outside his own knowledge. This too would be spoken aloud. (God’s Smuggler, 104).

null

These nuggets from God came with precision to the penny when money was needed by someone. There was information they could never have obtained in another way, and about people they didn’t even know. The insights were collected and obeyed to the letter.

Brother Andrew was often the beneficiary of this channel of the Holy Spirit, being sent checks precise to the amount he needed at crucial moments in his mission, and commanded to learn to drive before he had any idea that he would need or own a vehicle. The miracles laid out in this book make your soul tingle.

This striking account of God’s miraculous yet practical care for His suffering flock features the power of prayer as listening. At every turn, Brother Andrew listens for God’s directives, and at times that directive is silence. For example, one evening he finally has an opportunity to speak to a jaded co-worker about Christ:

But to my astonishment, the clear command that came this time was: ‘Not one word about religion. Just admire the scenery.” (55)

He obeys and is floored the next day when she arrives at work with grace flowing from a conversion of heart brought about by his silence. After all, it is never us but God who changes hearts.

When I remember to turn to God when seeking to comfort or discipline a child, how often do I hear “Silence!” And it is always fruitful.

I realized that when I think of rest, really what I am enjoying is a listening posture. I am simply absorbing, being, understanding, listening. It is restful because when I achieve this, my mind is silent and God is present.

How freeing this regrafting to the vine is! By attaching to the vine, we can detach from the situation at hand. For we are always attached to something; our job is to make sure it’s Jesus.

null

Listening is a posture that I can adopt frequently through the day, in the very situations where I feel most stressed and most in need of action. Crying child? Listen. House full of guests? Listen. Dinner is burning? Listen.

Suddenly, you are plunged into God. Receiving, healing, and able to say and do what the Holy Spirit gives you, rather than spewing your own churning mental mess. It suddenly makes sense how we can pray always. Prayer is primarily listening, being present, not speaking. When one lives this way, every moment becomes one of rest and rejuvenation.

You see, it is not just others who can be converted by silence. It is YOUR heart’s conversion too.

Click to tweet:
It is not just others who can be converted by silence. It is YOUR heart’s conversion too. #CatholicMom

As we enter Jesus’ Passion tomorrow, listen. Rather than talking at God about your troubles, about His troubles, be open to whatever He wishes to say to you. When His suffering challenges you, do not harden your heart or turn away: simply be present, like Mary, and receive Him.

null