1. Christ gathers us to listen, to hear, to be nourished and to be formed into community by Gods Word. Stage 2

2. Christ gathers us … To listen To hear ?

3. Hearing A natural function Involuntary Evokes response/reaction Requires interpretation We bring our experience to bear on what we hear

4. Who do we listen to most willingly/least willingly? What do we hear that demands our attention? What do we hear that we can ignore/dismiss? Where do we listen best? When can we say that we truly did hear? Do some sounds have a particular effect on us (distracting; disturbing; exciting etc.)? Why do we listen to some people/sounds and not others?

5. Obstacles to hearing Over stimulation of the ear Over stimulation of the ear Tuning out Tuning out Distractions Distractions Multitasking Multitasking

6. Hearing Aids: What helps us hear? Being Present Being Present Expectation Expectation Intention Intention Beyond words/sounds Beyond words/sounds Attentiveness to what is evoked Attentiveness to what is evoked

7. We bring our experience to bear on what we hear

8. Let us reflect

9. How to hear the Word amidst the words The challenge today?

10. What does Jesus mean then when he says this word is fulfilled in your hearing? Lk 4:21