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Good morning.  Learning to listen may sound strange. Surely we do it naturally? But how much do we miss because of distractions and wandering minds. I have a friend whose hearing is not what it was, and if I am speaking with hands waving around in front of my face, she’ll tell me that she can’t makes sense of what I’m saying because she cannot  see my lips moving.

At Eastertime, Christians listen to passages from the Acts of the Apostles. Like the gospels, it’s full of stories about people who couldn’t really make sense of the scriptures – sometimes because they were preoccupied with other thoughts, and sometimes because the words alone were not enough. Philip the apostle found himself beside a man who was reading from the prophet Isaiah, but couldn’t understand the text. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless I have someone to guide me?’ Because Philip took the trouble to explain to him the things that puzzled him, he asked to be baptised and went on his way rejoicing.

I’m not someone blessed with a scientific turn of mind, but I know people who can bring science to life by their sheer enthusiasm and communication skills. And I think that we shouldn’t underestimate what resources we have when it comes to sharing  good news of any kind. I haven’t just been enriched by those who can unfold the scriptures or talk about theology; enthusiastic gardeners, skilled beekeepers and meticulous bookbinders, have all broadened my horizons and enlarged my vision. So, let us pray in thanksgiving  for all who share their love of knowledge with others.

Lord, we praise and bless you for the gifts and skills which each of us possess in different measure. May we share these treasures, rather than keep them to ourselves. Amen