DADITAMA: An Avenue to Listen and to Be Heard

People say that the key to achieving peace and fostering successful relationships and connections is dialogue. Creating dialogue with others builds trust and bridges the divide. Indeed, it opens the door to respect for one another, empathy and cooperation, creating an environment in which different communities can coexist harmoniously.

Listening is a fundamental component in having dialogue with communities. It entails understanding the other’s sentiments, viewpoints, and experiences. It allows for gaining insight from different perspectives and developing more profound connections. By listening, we show utmost respect and regard for others and establish bonds and a shared comprehension.

Last March 7 and 8 at 6:30 AM, during the DADITAMA Meeting and Recollection at Mergrande Ocean Resort, Eucharistic celebrations were presided over respectively by the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D, Archbishop of Davao, the Most Rev. Abel C. Apigo, D.D., Bishop of Mati. Despite having different liturgies for the day, both homilies speak of one united call: lend an ear or listen!

Archbishop Valles said in his homily that we become God’s people when we all gather and listen to Him. The Dioceses of Davao, Digos, Tagum, and Mati (DADITAMA) is a perfect example of this. The clergy and lay throughout the Davao subregion came and assembled in one place to converse with one another, share their concerns of important matters, and expressed their opinions and viewpoints. Archbishop Valles also called everyone to listen to the Lord, to the Church, to the bishops, to the priests, to the lay leaders of DADITAMA. We can truly become DADITAMA when we are gathered around the Lord because we are actively listening and allowing the Lord to gather us as His people. Whenever we gather, we also build the Church. Whether it be through worship, fellowship, or service, every time we engage in the duties of the Church, we are doing something far greater than ourselves—embracing and welcoming God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit into our lives.

In Bishop Abel’s homily on the second day, he expounded the gospel reading which was about Jesus perfectly listening and answering an expert of the law or about the two greatest commandments. He said that the beauty of the DADITAMA traditions keeps the DADITAMA spirit alive. Through the assemblies, pastoral workers establish dialogue where every member asks question, is listened to and is highly influenced to freely express their personal perspective and understanding. Just like Jesus, the lay and the clergy also listens. We ought to strengthen the faith of other people so we can show our undying love to God with all our heart, mind, soul, and love neighbors the same way we love ourselves.

Indeed, hearing is not the same as listening because listening entails acceptance and believing.

Listening is an expression of love. When we truly love, we begin by appreciating and recognizing the value of other people. So, when we listen, we also give time to make others feel seen and loved.

God is always the one who listens to our prayers. This time, we should be the ones to do the listening. After all, if God is on our side, no one will go against us. (Frances Kim Cachila | ACD Immersionist)