We sometimes say we listen with one ear and let it go out the other ear. This is not real listening but mere hearing. We do this when we don’t really like to listen to what is being communicated to us. In other words, we don’t even care for the one communicating with us.

Jesus in the Gospel reading of today is challenging his listeners when he says, “Listen if you have ears!” Jesus is teaching his disciples and the people who wanted to listen to him. His teaching would sometimes make the listeners come to a dilemma whether to keep on listening or just shrug their shoulders and go. For Jesus, to listen to him is to let his words penetrate our innermost being. It means to let his words transform our hearts, our life, our whole person – to become like him. And to be like him is to let our life be seen by others in our witnessing . . . our being made in the image and likeness of God, our being brothers and sisters of Jesus.

So when others see us, they see Jesus. This is real transformation when we know how to listen to his words and live it. It is like the lamp then that has to be placed where it can give light to others. Isn’t this beautiful! We let this light of Christ invade our whole being so we can be light for others.

Are we ready to listen not only with our ears but also with our hearts? Do we care about Jesus’ way of transforming us into his likeness? How can we make our light shine in the midst of people around us?