{"id":4585,"date":"2010-06-30T07:31:40","date_gmt":"2010-06-30T07:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2010\/06\/do-you-understand.html"},"modified":"2010-06-30T07:31:40","modified_gmt":"2010-06-30T07:31:40","slug":"do-you-understand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2010\/06\/do-you-understand.html","title":{"rendered":"Do you understand?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I came across this terrific reflection<\/a> by the Concord Pastor, who offers a probing examination of conscience keyed to the theme of understanding. It strikes me as particularly apt for those who spend time here in the blogosphere: <\/p>\n

\nDo I listen with a desire to learn?
\n
Do I seek to understand that I might learn the truth?
\n
Do I speak with sincere respect for those who hear me?
\n
Do I listen as intently to others as I hope others listen to me?
\n
Do I open myself to truths, old and new,
\ntruths I’ve not known or understood before, truths I’ve rejected?
\n
Do I speak the truth charitably when it calls others to accountability?
\n
Do I listen humbly when others speak a discomforting truth to me?
\n
Do I recognize my own limitations’ impact on how I understand others?
\n
Do I listen patiently to others who disagree with me?
\n
Do I speak patiently to those who misunderstand me?
\n
Do I keep in mind that some people
\nhave been misunderstood all their lives?
Do I understand that some people will just never understand?
\n
Do I understand how much more there always is for me to understand?
\n
Do I know how to converse without needing to convince?
\n
Do I know how to debate without needing to defeat?
\n
Do I forgive those who misunderstand me?
\n
Do I ask forgiveness of those I’ve misunderstood?
\n
Do I seek, do I pray to understand more
\nand to be more understanding?
\n
Do I seek to understand so that I might gain wisdom?
\n
Do I allow the truth to correct my misunderstandings?
\n
Do I speak the truth I know that others might understand it?
\n
Do my words invite others to consider, understand
\nand embrace what is true?
\n
Do I understand there is a truth to be understood?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Visit the Concord Pastor<\/a> for more. And I have to say: Fr. Fleming’s thoughtful, cheerful, prayerful blog remains one of the nicest on the web. Visiting there is like spending time with an old friend — one who just happens to give great homilies, too!   Stop by and say hello.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I came across this terrific reflection by the Concord Pastor, who offers a probing examination of conscience keyed to the theme of understanding. It strikes me as particularly apt for those who spend time here in the blogosphere: Do I listen with a desire to learn? 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