With the growth in technology we are in constant connection to the world (mobile phones, palm tops, lap tops, wireless internet, web cams and chat rooms) but without physically meeting eye-to-eye.
After having a conversation with someone not long ago, I was surprised to hear of their feelings of aloneness.
Lost in a crowd.
Mother Teresa said "As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved..."
We don't need more stuff, we don't need new medicines, bigger bombs, we don't need to know what the next solar system looks like. We need someone to listen to us, not as a 'patient', not just waiting for their turn to talk.
Someone to REALLY listen.
We are all attention seekers.
Too often I catch myself hearing someone speak to me without actually listening.
Picture a dusty side street, 2000 years ago in Jericho.
The hustle and bustle of the market traders, people getting on with their day-to-day lives.
Bartimaeus, blind and begging in his usual spot, people just pass him by.
Next minute, excitement, crowds of people pushing and shoving... "Jesus of Nazareth is here!"
"Jesus!" the blind man calls out, but the crowd tell him to be quiet. Jesus hears Bartimaeus' voice, recognizes a need and approaches him.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asks, waiting, listening.
Can this great man really want an answer from me?
Jesus' expectant silence confirms this to Bartimaeus and he is healed.
Jesus listens.
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