“To believe in him and to be his disciples means allowing ourselves to be changed and to take on his same feelings. It means learning to have a heart that is moved, eyes that see and do not look away, hands that help others and soothe their wounds, shoulders that bear the burden of those in need.”
– Pope Leo XIV
When I was in college, there was a competition to pose the most compelling question. The winning question would be a theme for the year across all the various courses of study. I’ll never forget the question that became the theme of my freshman year: “Is truth in the eye of the beholder?”
At 18 years of age, I couldn’t appreciate the societal implications of that question, but I remember many classroom discussions about the importance of listening — especially in leadership. I will never forget one professor’s challenge to us: “Listening is essential,” he affirmed, “but it will eventually reach the limit of its potential without an authentic pursuit of the truth.”
More than a quarter century later, I still remember his words, and I can’t help but witness it in every challenging interaction, whether it be in a disagreement with my wife or the most contentious of diocesan meetings. Whether I want to be heard or trying to hear others, am I really listening for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Recently, as I observed one of the many disputes between my two teenage daughters, I noticed that while both were pretending to listen, neither one was searching for anything other than total agreement with her own perspective. I couldn’t help but reflect on my life, leadership, and discipleship. How often do I want to be heard in order to be affirmed without desiring to ever be informed? Likewise, when I offer to listen, how open am I really to learning?
There was no consensus on the question posed back in college. As we move into this next week, perhaps we can remember to ask ourselves and each other: if we believe truth is in the eye of the Creator, what does He want us to hear and who does He want us to behold? Prayers for your discernment in the questions facing you today.
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