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Introduction: An Echo Resonating from the Heart of Christ
In a world saturated with words, where opinions multiply and voices compete for attention, the words of Jesus Christ—“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15)—emerge as an urgent and eternal call. It is not a passive invitation but a divine demand to listen with the soul, to discern Truth amidst chaos.
This article will explore the profound theological, historical, and pastoral meaning of this phrase, which appears at key moments in Revelation. We will examine its biblical context, its interpretation in Catholic Tradition, and how to apply it today, when faith is challenged by relativism and distraction.
I. Biblical Roots: Where and Why Does Jesus Say This?
The phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (or similar variations) appears in several Gospel passages, always as a seal of solemnity. It is not a casual remark but a wake-up call.
1. In the Synoptics: A Pattern of Revelation
- Matthew 11:15: Jesus speaks it after discussing the Kingdom and John the Baptist, inviting recognition of the newness of His message.
- Mark 4:9, 23: In the parable discourse (e.g., the sower), He emphasizes that understanding requires an open heart.
- Luke 8:8, 14:35: Here, it is linked to the disciple’s responsibility: “Take care, then, how you listen” (Luke 8:18).
2. In Revelation: A Warning to the Churches
In Revelation 2–3, Christ repeats, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” It is a call to conversion in the face of lukewarmness (Revelation 3:16) and to commitment in faith.
Theological Meaning
The phrase does not refer to physical hearing but to the supernatural capacity to receive the Word. As St. Augustine explains: “God speaks to the ear of the heart.” It is a grace requiring humility (to receive) and will (to act).
II. Catholic Tradition: Listening Like the Virgin and the Saints
The Church sees in this phrase an echo of Mary, the first listener: “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). She is the model of active listening:
- Attention: Without distractions (cf. Luke 10:39, Mary at Jesus’ feet).
- Meditation: Interiorizing the Word (as in Lectio Divina).
- Action: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
The Church Fathers (like St. John Chrysostom) insisted: “Hearing is not enough; one must obey.” True listening leads to conversion, as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), where the father hears his son’s repentance.
III. Practical Application: How to “Hear” Today?
In an age of spiritual noise (social media, secularism, busyness), how can we cultivate this listening?
1. Interior Silence
- Example: The prophet Elijah heard God “in a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
- Action: Dedicate 5 daily minutes to silence, away from screens.
2. Discernment
- Danger: “Hearing without understanding” (Matthew 13:13), like the Pharisees who closed their hearts.
- Solution: Examine which voices nourish your soul (gossip? criticism? Scripture?).
3. Faithful Obedience
- Key: Listening culminates in action. As James 1:22 says: “Be doers of the Word.”
- Example: St. Benedict taught, “Listen with the ear of your heart” (Rule, Prologue).
IV. Modern Challenges: Today’s Deafness
The world today suffers from deafness that Christ already diagnosed:
- Relativism: “I hear only what I like.”
- Superficiality: Listening to God as background noise, not the center.
- Fear: Like the rich young man (Mark 10:22), who heard but refused to change.
The solution is bold faith: like Zacchaeus (Luke 19), who listened to Jesus and acted.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Supernatural Hearing
Christ does not seek passive listeners but disciples who hear and live. “He who has ears…” is a personal call: What is God saying to you today? Where must you convert?
As St. Teresa taught: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” May our response be that of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), of Mary, of the saints: to open the soul so the seed of the Word may bear fruit.
For reflection: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7-8).
This article is only a starting point. Truth is discovered by hearing, but above all by loving. May the Holy Spirit grant us ears to listen.
