About this episode

Fr. Eric Nicolai explores the significance of hearing and listening in the context of the Annunciation.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Kintore College, Toronto, on March 25, 2026. There is something there that we must learn about this gift of hearing in the annunciation. Paintings of the scene often show words that come forth from the angel’s mouth, floating through the air to Mary, while she is in a receptive position, the contrapposto, this bending of her body, as though the very words touched her. But paintings are silent. We don' t actually hear the words of the angel. What was Mary's disposition to these sounds? Pope Benedict said: To see this active hearing, a hearing which attracts the Word in such a way that it enters in me and becomes Word in me, reflecting on it and accepting to the depths of the heart. Thus, the Word becomes incarnation. (Pope Benedict XVI, Q&A With Priests of Rome, 26 Feb 2009). There is something for us here to learn about the art of listening. Music: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Thumbnail: Columba altarpiece of the Annunciation by Roger Van der Weyden, 1455, Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

People in this episode

Host: Fr. Eric Nicolai

Topics covered

• Annunciation
• Listening
• Spirituality
• Christianity
• Meditation
• Art

Keywords

• Annunciation
• hearing
• listening
• Pope Benedict XVI
• meditation
• spirituality
• art

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kintore College, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Books & works: Columba altarpiece of the Annunciation by Roger Van der Weyden

Places: Toronto, Alte Pinakothek, Munich

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