True listening is a form of caring, motivated by love for neighbour and love for God.
"Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because Christians are talking when they should be listening. He who no longer listens to his brother [or sister] will soon no longer be listening to God either... One who cannot listen long and patiently will presently be talking beside the point and never really speaking to others, albeit he be not conscious of it." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
[taken from "Life Together" New York: Harper & Brothers, 1959, pp 97-98]
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