Ever since the State of the Union address last week, there have been so many different sound bites about Barack Obama. Whether it’s been the State of the Union address or Obama’s meeting with the Republicans, I have seen a pattern. Obama is not listening. I have avoided writing about Obama altogether, mainly because there are others who do such a thing, and have more patience to deal with the daily political rumblings. But this whole notion of the utter lack of listening has intrigued me.
During his meeting with the Republicans, Obama smiled a lot. He does that quite often: it’s that kind of condescending smile, a smile of a moralist who seems to have a secret to correct path in life, and who maintains that he indeed knows what compassion and tolerance are. Similar thing happen during the meeting with the GOP. A question was asked by one of the Republicans and Obama smiled, followed by a “hold on a minute,” then long-winded, incomprehensible, euphemistic answer, and to top it all (this time), he winked—you know, the kind of wink that says “we’re on the same page.” The only difference is that Obama and the Republicans are not on the same page. They’re not even in the same book. This man, President of the United States, is simply not interested in dialogue, no matter how much he tells us otherwise.
Pope Benedict XVI wrote that dialogue’s primary purpose has actually nothing to do with talking. “Mere talk is a deterioration of dialogue.” Primary purpose is first and foremost listening. We have to be able to listen to one another, genuinely and respectfully. In this, we would have to ask ourselves who is this person standing in front of me with whom I am attempting to dialogue? In other words, there is a human dimension which involves a personal encounter. One has to recognize another person in his or her fullness and above all, human dignity.
Benedict also mentions that dialogue not only deepens understanding between two people but it also brings forth transformation. To be able to listen to another means that we are acknowledging their whole being and personhood: what makes them human. Of course, there is also a possibility of learning something from another, and seeing if we can fight for the common good, despite some differences. This means that on some level, we have to be united by the common good, namely truth.
Arrogance and pride are our impediments, and I would tend to conclude that it is precisely what the President is suffering from. He has a particular thing in mind and he wants to will it, no matter what the consequences are, or whether it can be willed at all. This is a definition of tyranny: a great addiction to power, dressed in a cloak of empathy and care. For whose glory is it all done? Certainly not for God’s.
Benedict tells us that dialogue has a great deal to do with obedience. Having an obedient spirit means that we are participating in a continuous formation of conscience, or listening to the voice of God. If we have the obedience to listen to the voice of God, then we shall muster the courage and patience to listen to one another.
During his meeting with the Republicans, Obama smiled a lot. He does that quite often: it’s that kind of condescending smile, a smile of a moralist who seems to have a secret to correct path in life, and who maintains that he indeed knows what compassion and tolerance are. Similar thing happen during the meeting with the GOP. A question was asked by one of the Republicans and Obama smiled, followed by a “hold on a minute,” then long-winded, incomprehensible, euphemistic answer, and to top it all (this time), he winked—you know, the kind of wink that says “we’re on the same page.” The only difference is that Obama and the Republicans are not on the same page. They’re not even in the same book. This man, President of the United States, is simply not interested in dialogue, no matter how much he tells us otherwise.
Pope Benedict XVI wrote that dialogue’s primary purpose has actually nothing to do with talking. “Mere talk is a deterioration of dialogue.” Primary purpose is first and foremost listening. We have to be able to listen to one another, genuinely and respectfully. In this, we would have to ask ourselves who is this person standing in front of me with whom I am attempting to dialogue? In other words, there is a human dimension which involves a personal encounter. One has to recognize another person in his or her fullness and above all, human dignity.
Benedict also mentions that dialogue not only deepens understanding between two people but it also brings forth transformation. To be able to listen to another means that we are acknowledging their whole being and personhood: what makes them human. Of course, there is also a possibility of learning something from another, and seeing if we can fight for the common good, despite some differences. This means that on some level, we have to be united by the common good, namely truth.
Arrogance and pride are our impediments, and I would tend to conclude that it is precisely what the President is suffering from. He has a particular thing in mind and he wants to will it, no matter what the consequences are, or whether it can be willed at all. This is a definition of tyranny: a great addiction to power, dressed in a cloak of empathy and care. For whose glory is it all done? Certainly not for God’s.
Benedict tells us that dialogue has a great deal to do with obedience. Having an obedient spirit means that we are participating in a continuous formation of conscience, or listening to the voice of God. If we have the obedience to listen to the voice of God, then we shall muster the courage and patience to listen to one another.
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