Asking for a Listening Heart

Devotional Reflection, Friday, December 31, 2021

The First Sunday of Christmastide

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. . . .9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 941)

AM Psalm 46, 48

1 Kings 3:5-14; James 4:13-17;5:7-11; John 5:1-15

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Office Old Testament Reading, 1 Kings 3:5-14

5:1At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ 6And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.’

David’s Reflections

One of Mary Oliver’s poems, published in a collection entitled Red Bird, bears the title “There is a Place Beyond Ambition.” *

When the flute players

couldn’t think of what to say next

they laid down their pipes,

then they lay down themselves

beside the river

and just listened.

Some of them, after awhile,

jumped up

and disappeared back inside the busy town.

But the rest—

so quiet, not even thoughtful—

are still there,

still listening. *

Today’s story about Solomon reminded me of Oliver’s lines. As the newly crowned king of Israel, Solomon succeeded David his father, a man gifted with uncanny judgment. David had grown up tending sheep, had demonstrated his warrior gifts in the slaying of the giant, Goliath, and in repeated triumphs over their archenemies, the Philistines. He had exercised his considerable gifts of leadership in uniting the diverse twelve tribes for the first time into a national entity.

Now, his son, reared in the security of the king’s court, had to take on the mantle of leadership. That prospect must have been frightening to him. In his prayer, he asked God for what our translation renders as an “understanding mind.” Literally, the underlying Hebrew reads “a listening heart.” Some translations render this with the English phrase “a receptive heart.”

Solomon knew he would be hearing many cases as king and would be called upon to render judgments (see the next story in verses 16-28 for the first example). He prayed for the ability to hear deeply within, to hear with his “heart” (the Hebrew term for the seat of understanding).

Hearing requires more than the ears. What one hears demands to be understood, to be received in an understanding fashion that leads to wise responses. That kind of hearing requires inner silence. In Mary Oliver’s poem, some of the flute players opted for silence, not even a thoughtful silence. They chose to stop making sounds in order that what they needed to hear might not be drowned out by their music.

As we begin a new year, can you think of a more significant prayer? “Dear merciful God, give me a receptive, listening heart.” Perhaps this prayer will open us up to hear what we’ve heard before but hear it with understanding for the first time. Perhaps it’s a message from someone close to us. Perhaps it’s a recurring inner voice. Perhaps it’s a recurring dream. Perhaps it’s a biblical passage or story. Few actions express more love for God or others than deep listening that receives the person and the words without hesitation and without tampering with the messages received or the God or person sending them.

Dear, merciful God, give me a receptive, listening heart.

* Mary Oliver, Red Bird (Beacon, 2008), p. 6.

Collect of the Day, The First Sunday after Christmas Day

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)

Of the Incarnation

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)

A Collect for the Presence of Christ

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)

A Collect for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)