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Apples. Grapes. Oranges.

9 And as they were coming down the mountain,

10 they asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Eli'jah must come?"

11 He replied, "Eli'jah does come, and he is to restore all things;

12 but I tell you that Eli'jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands."

13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.-Matthew17:9a,10-13

I cannot help but laugh a little at the reading, and make a little version of it. It's as if two people are talking. Let's call them John and Jane. John asked about apples. Jane answered the question about apples, and added that perhaps the grapes will most likely end like the apples. When they finished talking, somebody approached John and asked what it was about. He says, "We were just talking about the oranges."

I am not belittling the comprehension of the disciples. But listening truly helps. Listening is not just about hearing using one's ears and comprehension, but listening using the heart too. What is Jesus saying? What is my heart saying? What is my conscience saying? What is the event, the place saying? Listening will only be effective if we respond to its message through our actions, thoughts and words according to Jesus' life and example.

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