March 2020 | OFFICE OF PARISH EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Missionary Discipleship“ The Art of Listening”

A missionary disciple is a friend of Jesus who calls others into friendship with Jesus; or as Bishop Ricken sometimes says, “Become a friend of Jesus. Make a friend. Introduce your friend to Jesus.”

Before we introduce others to our friend Jesus, we need to get to know others and become their friends. But how does one make a friend? Well, it’s simple - we become involved in the lives of others. As Pope Francis said in The Joy of the Gospel, “an evangelizing community gets involved in word and deed in people’s daily lives” (Evangelii gaudium 24)

First, we need to share our time and presence. This can happen simply by walking over and saying “Hi”. Second, we need to share a conversation. For many, it can be easy to get excited to share about oneself fi rst. However, a missionary disciple takes the time to let the other person speak more than they do. They practice the ‘art of listening’. As Pope Francis tells us, “We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which

genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur. Listening helps us to fi nd the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders” (EG, 171)

Rather than simply hearing the other person, a missionary disciple pays deep attention to the words, tone, and emotions shared by another when answering. A missionary disciple strives to see the person with whom they interact as a brother or sister, lovingly created by the same God, with numerous thoughts, skills, ideas, and preferences which are totally unique to them.

www.thecompassnews.org/2018/07/what-is-a-missionary-disciple/

March 2020 | OFFICE OF PARISH EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP

“ The Art of Listening”Activity: Asking questions and listening

Let’s try an activity to practice the ‘art of listening’ as a missionary disciple. Find a partner, classmate, or family member and take turns asking each other the following questions. Try your hardest to be completely present to the other person while they are sharing.

**For an additional challenge: try asking a follow-up question after each response that is shared with you (i.e. RESPONSE: “I like to ride bikes and watch movies”, FOLLOW-UP: “What was learning to ride a bike like for you?” or “What are some of your favorite movies that you would recommend?”)

• What was your favorite part of today?

• What are some things you like to do for fun?

• If you could eat lunch with anyone, who would it be and why?

• If you could invent one thing, what would it be and why?

• If you could learn to play any musical instrument, what would it be and why?

• What job/career do you hope to have in the future and why?

• If you could change any one thing about your life right now, what would it be and why?

• If you could deepen your friendship with Jesus, what would that look like for you?

Activity Refl ection:

What did you fi nd easy about this activity?

What did you fi nd most diffi cult about this activity?

What surprised you most about this activity?

Cardinal Tagle, the man who leads the Vatican offi ce in Rome which oversees the Church’s worldwide mission, recently said that “Listening comes fi rst”. How can you continue to practice the ‘art of listening’ in your daily life as a missionary disciple?

www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/evangelization-begins-with-listening-cardinal-tagle-says-36692