Open Lord, my ears that I may hear.
Open, Lord, my heart and my mind that I may understand.
So shall I turn to you and be healed.
As I read this traditional prayer the other morning, all I can say is that I was startled. Startled, because although I’ve read it many times, I’ve never really paid any attention to it, and this time I did. Sure we ask God to open our ears, eyes and heart. And sure Eckart Tolle and others tell us to pay attention to the NOW. We know all of that.
But WHY do all of this? I had never considered the why of it all, and that’s what startled me. Sure, so I can see, hear and understand; those words wash over me because they are soooo obvious. But this ancient prayer cuts to the quick. There it is, the God answer. No rhetoric, no hyperbole. Pay attention so you will turn to God and so you will be healed.