Listening plays a great role in the faith and spirituality of Israel as presented to us in the Hebrew Bible. Thus Jeremiah in today's passage directly links listening and belonging: "Listen to my voice; then I shall be your God, and you shall be my people." He then goes on to tell the people: "Walk in all the ways that I command you...." Walking is a frequently used image for obedience and service. Speak to us, Lord, and give us the grace to be servants who both hear and obey.

Our God is a God who listens and responds, as today's Entrance Antiphon reminds us: "Whatever their trouble, I will answer their cry." We are created in the image of God and so are people who can listen and hear. That implies that we are essentially not a totally lost or wandering people. Because God speaks to us, we are a guided people, a people who have clear guidelines and directions for the journey of life. Unfortunately, however, we can be people who have ears but cannot hear, we have hearts that are pained by the mysteries of life because they are not attentive to the many whispers of God that guide us towards happiness.