Last Saturday, the Gary Diocese Deacons had the opportunity to listen to a wonderful talk on “Making Spiritual Visits to Patients”.

One of the main messages we were taught was to simply be present to the patient, whether in a hospital or nursing home. We were told of the wisdom of listening and reacting to what the patient wants to share, and not coming into the visit with our own preconceived agenda about what we would like to discuss.

We are there for the patient and not for ourselves.

We were asked to follow Jesus’ example in the discussion He had with the two disciples who were on the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ death. Jesus did not lead the discussion but simply asked what they were discussing. He added “what things” in response to the disciples’ question, “do you not know or hear about the things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth?”

I think listening is a skill we all need to develop better throughout our lives. Listening helps us understand another person better and helps one find many things that those present have in common. It also helps find a middle ground in times of conflict. If people developed better listening skills, there would not be as much anger and wounded egos in the world.

After all, we are all on the same journey to meet God in heaven. Listening helps us help ourselves and each other with where we are and where we need to be.

May God gives us this grace.

The noun, rumination, means a deep considered thought about something.

-By Deacon Tom Gryzbek