Silence and Contemplation of the Word
Having moved to Wheeling and having had all kinds of challenges getting settled (house loan did not go through, difficulty finding an open apartment within my budget, hesitation that caused me to miss out on that apartment, finally moving into an apartment but being extremely sensitive to the cigarette smoke in surrounding apartments and allergies to prior pets that were in the apartment, searching for another available apartment … more to come when I see how it ends), it has been very challenging to keep my steady, relaxed, quiet prayer time where I sit and put aside my occupations in order to be present to God who, as Scripture tells us, always has us in the palm of His hand.
I am becoming very aware of how this silence is so important to keep our relationship with God fresh and up-to-date. The inspirations, wisdom, and peace that we take from these times with God or the trust that grows if God hides in dark silence is what we need to get through the day and have our decisions directed to His holy will for us.
The parable of the sower and the seed with its image of the soil receiving the seed of the Gospel keeps coming to mind. This passage is further reflected upon by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in a way that meditates upon our receptivity to the seed of God’s Word – more to come on this in an upcoming on-line mini- course on Silence and Contemplation with the Word – But for now, as I am about ready to set up a tent in somebody’s yard so I can settle in somewhere, I have to ask myself am I silent/still enough to receive the seed of God’s Word and take it into the depth of my being, nourish it with what I have to offer, allow it to transform me, and produce fruit – fruit that is possible because of the seed, but nonetheless, the seed that has been embraced by the soil and has integrated the elements of the soil into it as it blossoms forth its fruit and announces the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
As I close this post, I am wondering if any one else in the world today struggles with making time for silence. Just kidding – I am sure almost everyone sees this as a challenge – but such a necessary one.
Lynn Marie