Advent, this time of waiting and preparing for Christmas, invites us to reflect on the profound meaning of listening. In a world full of noise and distractions, where the voice of pride and selfishness is raised, this liturgical period calls us to cultivate a humble, receptive and open attitude to the Word of God, the intercession of Mary and the example of Saint Joseph.
The Challenge of Pride
Pride is a sin that is characterized by self-sufficiency, wanting to be above others and, above all, by not recognizing the need to learn or receive from others. This sin distances us from true humility, a virtue that is reflected in our ability to listen and learn from others. In this sense, Advent is presented as a providential time to heal this weakness of the human heart.
Listening as a Path to Humility
Advent invites us to a process of inner purification, to strip ourselves of our own pretensions in order to open ourselves to listening. Listening is not only hearing, but also understanding, internalizing and acting according to what we receive. Through listening, we get closer to God, who in his infinite love makes himself present in our lives through the Word.
God himself speaks to us during this time, especially through the readings of the Mass, where he reminds us of the promise of salvation and prepares us to receive the Savior. Listening to the Word is an act of humility, since it implies recognizing that we do not have all the answers, that we need Him and others to grow in faith.
Listening to Mary and Saint Joseph
In this time of Advent, the example of Mary and Saint Joseph shows us how listening is also key to our Christian life. Mary, the Virgin Mother, teaches us the importance of listening with an open heart to the will of God. In her yes to the Angel, in her willingness to be the Mother of God, Mary not only listens to the words, but she keeps them and meditates on them in her heart (Lk 2:19). In this act of listening, Mary is a model of humility and obedience to God.
St. Joseph, on the other hand, is a silent man, but deeply attentive to the voice of God. His obedience and humility lead him to act according to what he hears in dreams, protecting Mary and the Child Jesus. St. Joseph’s listening, both to the words of the angels and to the circumstances of life, makes him a great model of faith and service.
Listening to Others: A Practice of Humility
Advent also invites us to listen to others. In a time when individuality and arrogance prevail, we must learn to open ourselves to the surrounding voices. We all have something to teach one another, and the time of Advent is a time to learn from others, both from those who support us in our faith and from those who, although different, offer us perspectives that enrich our vision of the world.
Listening to others is recognizing that pride distances us from true brotherhood. By opening ourselves to others, we recognize their dignity and value, and we prepare to serve them with humility and love. This is the remedy for pride: the recognition that we are not self-sufficient, that we need God and our brothers.
Advent: A Time to Renew Listening
The humility that is asked of us in Advent is a humility that leads us to active listening, which makes us receptive to the teachings of God, to the advice of Mary and St. Joseph, and to the voices of those around us. In this time of preparation, we are invited to make space in our hearts for the voice of God to resonate clearly. Only in this space of silence and openness can we receive the grace of Christmas, a grace that transforms and calls us to live in humility.
As Pope Francis reminds us, “listening is the first step towards unity.” In this Advent, may our attitude be that of those who, like Mary, respond to God’s call with a humble yes, and like Saint Joseph, are willing to listen and act according to his will. Only in this way can we counteract the effects of pride and allow love and humility to transform our lives, bringing us ever closer to the mystery of the Incarnation.
May this Advent be a time of authentic listening, where we learn from others, from Mary, from Saint Joseph, and, above all, from God, in order to walk humbly towards the great event of Christmas.
