Understanding, a
desired result of communication, is for one reason or another not always
present. The frequent ad hominem attacks and the deliberate distortions
of the opponent's position that so often are publicized in our media
should embarrass all of us. But apparently there is an attraction in the
effort to take another person's words and make them say what we find
easier to deal with. The columnist in the open forum of the Catholic
Times gives us his ideas on what may happen when a person is not able to open his heart to another.
There
are many in our world who firmly close the door to their hearts; the
world to them seems dreary and lacks beauty. They do not believe the
good will of the other and they are filled with doubts. They are, the
columnist says, like the bird that, refusing to spread its wings, does not fly.
Humans that refuse to reveal their hearts will not be able to love.
When we do not open our hearts to the other, the other is likely to do
the same, and we have no communication.
When meeting another, the
biggest sadness
is not being able to speak to their heart. Although "heart speaking
unto heart" are precious moments of true communication that can bring
great happiness, the inability to open their hearts brings great
sadness. To receive a gift from a friend or from nature, I have to be
directed to that gift and open my heart. Whatever prevents the opening
of our hearts has to be removed before the gift of the other can be
received.
Life is a series of encounters: meeting parents,
brothers and sisters, relatives, friends, teachers, co-workers. The
nature of the encounters will bring change into our life and help to
decide its direction. Our religious life is also an encounter, and the
most important since it opens us up to God. This begins with a call. We
have to be open to this call with our spiritual ears. This will open us
to his grace and mission. Many of us have the same difficulty in
opening our hearts to God as we have opening our hearts to others.
Opening
ourselves to God means allowing ourselves to become approachable,
getting rid of our defenses and being vulnerable. This attitude brings
happiness and success and helps us to be an influence for good. With our
hearts open, we will receive what God wants to give. This is another
way of saying we are in an attitude of prayer with an affirming, humble
and loving heart. It is our task to prepare our hearts to be always
open. Isn't this a task that we should gladly take up daily?