"Those that have ears to hear"

I have commented to friends in the past, that when I put my hearing aids in each morning, the world comes alive! But on this particular morning, it didn't. Yes, the birds were chirping, the washing machine was running, all those noises I associate with morning were happening BUT they were dead with no depth and no resonance.

I have worn hearing aids for more the 4 years now. Not long ago one of them stopped working and a new battery didn't help. Now before I go any further, I need to say that I operate perfectly well without either hearing aid, and would do even better if people didn't insist on mumbling! However, the extra dimension they add to the sounds in my world is well worth any inconvenience caused by wearing them. 

This experience, of course, started me thinking .... thinking particularly about all the verses in the Bible that relate to hearing, such as:

"They have ears, but do not hear;” (NRSV Psalm 155: 6[a])

"...As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen" (NRSV

Luke 8:8)

 "But blessed are...your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed...to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." (NRSV Matthew 13: 16-17)

"Mortal, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house,...who have ears to hear but do not hear;" (NRSV Ezekiel 12:2)

What I have now become aware of is the difference in levels of hearing. Yes, I heard perfectly well what was going on around me with none or even with one hearing aid. However, when I have both hearing aids in place the world becomes a livelier, more vibrant place. 

Perhaps this is the kind of hearing that the writers and redactors of these books are referring to. Not only the hearing of those people that had heard their words and ignored them but also  those who heard the words, heard them as 'nice' ideals that had no real validity for them. To truly hear the words is to hear them resonating within us, to hear them as something we need to pay attention to, to hear them as being somehow  'alive'. And I believe that this is the kind of hearing referred over and over again within the writings that make up the Bible.

What, or who, have you really 'heard' lately?