Help us listen.
I was reflecting on this journal entry by Elisabeth Leseur this morning:
When we feel impotent against hostility and indifference, when it is impossible to speak of God or the spiritual life, when many hearts brush against ours without penetrating it, then we must enter peacefully into ourselves in the sweet company that our souls never lack; and to others we must give only prayers and the quiet example of our lives and the secret immolation that makes the most fruitful apostolate. All our explanations, words, and efforts are not worth the feeblest ray of the Holy Spirit in enlightening a soul, but they may obtain all His light for this soul.
-The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur
How do we respond when someone is angry at the Church—often because of real hurts they’ve experienced? It's a difficult situation, especially since many of us can relate to being hurt ourselves. Let's face it - we've all been on the other side, causing hurt instead of receiving it.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 ESV
Often, the best response is listening—to be quiet and to acknowledge their hurt. Rather than trying to argue or explain, we should focus on prayer and amend our own lives. The simplest prayers and genuine actions can do more to reach others than any clever arguments. Yes, it is the Holy Spirit that can do more to open someone's heart than all our words and explanations combined.
I am reminded of the words of Paisios of Mt. Athos:
If you want to help the Church, it is better to try to correct yourself, rather than be looking to correct others. If you manage to correct yourself, one small part of the Church is immediately corrected. Naturally, if everyone did the same, the body of the Church would be in good health. But, today, people concern themselves with anything but themselves. You see, judging others is easy, whereas working on yourself takes effort.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come…Help us listen.
Welling tears as this has deeply touched my heart this morning and I thank you for posting so the Holy Spirit could reach me. Come Holy Spirit, come. You are in my prayers, through Christ. God bless you Lawain.