We all need a little break every now and then. I am away for a short while on a vacation. To be able to rest and relax and renew the batteries for the work of ministry. We are reminded that Jesus took time to rest and relax with friends but as the Gospels relate, he was often interrupted in this pursuit time of prayer and quiet.
Cardinal Sarah writes, “Jesus himself points out to men the beautiful dwelling places of solitude and silence.” (#121) and later he quotes Fr. Henri Nouwen, “As ministers our greatest temptation is toward too many words. They weaken our faith and make us lukewarm. Silence is a sacred discipline, a guard of the Holy Spirit.” (#135) (From: “The Power of Silence”) We can all fall into this temptation of avoiding quiet, silence and solitude. The world today gives us the opportunity for noise, busyness and interruption beyond counting and God offers us the gifts of peace, joy and relationship. We get to choose daily which is our greatest desire.
The journey into silence and the interruption of silence are both gifts that are to be treasured. It is a moment of blessing when we have entered into silence with God that we are then called out of silence into an active service of God’s people by the Holy Spirit. This call to service is set upon the great foundation of prayer we are called to begin.
Where do we find time for silence? Where do we find time for prayer? It would be nice if we could take unlimited time and find unlimited opportunities for prayer and silence, yet we know the responsibilities of life call us away from silence and prayer. Husbands and wives must be attentive to each other in relationship that calls them out of silence and prayer, as do parents or children, as we are all called into service of one another.
Where do we find time for silence? Take a cup of coffee as an example. I was speaking with a man a few weeks ago and he shared how his morning cup of coffee became his moment of silence in the day. Before his family became overly active he loved to sit at the breakfast nook in the kitchen and just be in the silence and quiet of the morning in preparation of the day. Admittedly it usually only lasted for a few moments but for him it was the foundation of the day to serve his wife and children. Seeking silence also finds itself in the small tasks of life, like folding laundry, driving to work or perhaps working in the garden. It is found when we turn off the outside noise and seek the peaceful union of God’s voice with ours.
Where down find time for prayer? This is a much more intentional act of love towards God and others because it focusses our silence directly towards the purpose of God’s will in our lives. St. Ambrose writes these beautiful words, “It is the soul that has its door, its gates. Christ comes to this door and knocks; he knocks at these gates. Open to him; he wants to enter, to find his bride waiting and watching.” When we intentionally enter into silence in the hope of hearing the voice of God whispering the call to union, we open the door to our soul to be joined as one. When you go to Mass this weekend, notice the moments of silence that the Church offers to us to listen prayerfully during the celebration. Prayer is when we choose to point our silence towards God. Our continuing invitation is to find time for silence, even a few minutes a day, and then point our soul towards the Divine silence in prayer.
God Bless
Fr. Mark