Ezekiel 1-9, 12 / John 5:1-3, 5-16
It is interesting to note that the words "listen" and "silent" are spelled with the same letters.
That may also indicate to us that in order to truly listen, we have to be silent. That is the basic principle of communication.
But the biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand. Rather, we listen to reply.
Because even as the other person is speaking, we are already forming ideas so as to give a reply.
And in that process we are already not listening clearly to the question, nor clearly understanding the question.
In the gospel, Jesus asked the man who was ill for thirty-eight years this question: Do you want to to be well again?
It was a simple straightforward question that required just a "Yes" or "No" answer.
However the man did,n't give a "Yes" or "No" reply. Instead he went into a litany of reasons as to why he couldn't get into the pool in time.
Maybe after 38 years of disappointment and resignation, this had become his standard answer to whatever question it was about his illness and his need for healing.
As for us, we too may have our standard answers as to why our problems are not solved or our needs not met.
But today Jesus is asking us this question: Do you want to be well again?
Let us be silent as we listen and ponder on that question. May we understand that question and come to experience what Jesus wants to do for us.