Silence!

Silence should never be viewed as a burden but as a gift. However, silence can be challenging to cultivate or enjoy. The season of Advent is meant to be a season of silence, stillness, and peace. Silence, however, should not only be linked to seasons of preparation or penance but should be regularly incorporated into daily life. Cultivating silence is paramount with how busy and noisy the world is. Time spent each day slowing down and sitting silently is never wasted. Indeed, the purpose of the Faith is to know God. To be considered holy means that the person, their entire being and life, is set apart for the love and service of God. Silence is a great treasure for the life of Faith.

“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love,
the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.”
-Saint Theresa of Calcutta.

For those who struggle to hear and discern God’s voice, the secret is the cultivation of silence. Silence takes time and, like this article, repetition. If I cannot hear God today, I may hear Him tomorrow. It takes time to adjust to it. Silence is not simply turning off all the noise makers around me but also quieting my mind. If someone has never sat still and let their mind become completely quiet, the first several attempts may be difficult. The only way to become proficient in silence is to practice and to practice frequently. So the natural question is: how? Page four of the prayer books we distributed at the beginning of Advent is dedicated to this question. The advice and steps for a good Holy Hour are meant to cultivate an interior silence. A good interior life is the place where we meet God, hear God, relate to God, and are given His peace. It took me quite a while to become comfortable with my inner monologue. Even today, when there is stress or shame, I become uneasy with myself. God is the one who heals the inner disturbance to make room for that peace.

For this reason, I think the best time for prayer is the first thing in the morning. I am not a morning person, yet the best time to pray is before my day begins. I make a cup of coffee and sit before the Lord for at least a half hour. Cultivate silence, develop an interior life, know God’s holy voice, and find peace. Further, please maintain a reverent silence in the church, setting the stage for everyone to hear God.