The Gift Of Silence

Silence is essential for growth in the spiritual life. For instance, since God is omnipotent, we'd expect that he'd speak to Elijah through a strong driving wind or an earthquake as found in our first reading (1 Kg 18, 15-45). Instead, we find that Elijah comes out of hiding from the cave after hearing God speaking in a tiny whispering sound. This can seem strange to us because our natural inclination is to anticipate the Lord grabbing our attention in a manner that will easily have us understand what he wants of us. Listening for God in a small whispering wind can then easily pass us by because it's so counter-intuitive from what we'd expect. Nevertheless, it's through a gentle breeze that enables Elijah to finish his mission by conversing with God.

The challenge we have today, however, comes from being part of a PLUGGED-IN SOCIETY. There's hardly any time that the average man allows himself to be away from the internet, radio, television and so on. These things aren’t bad in themselves, but by continually being connected to media or some kind of information network, one doesn't allow oneself to have the silence one needs to listen to God throughout the course of the day. If it's not a technology source that keeps us occupied, then we fill our time with some other kind of activity. The result of all this ceaseless activity can surely lead to a spiritual depletion that would eventually negatively affect our mind and body as well. To find God and nurture our sanity in our daily life, we must give ourselves time to be silent and still. A flower vase, for instance, is useful precisely because its EMPTINESS allows it to be filled. Likewise, silence allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit when we allow our mind and body a respite from activity.

Being silent and still can also be challenging because our common perception is that silence and stillness are unproductive since these spiritual gifts are seen as a void. In short, making time for silence and stillness can seem to be a waste of time. However, sleep (which is seen as a form of inactivity) allows the cells in our body much needed time to repair themselves as well as our mind to work out the stresses we've had throughout the previous day. Many positive things are happening to our mind and body when we're being still during the time we sleep. Therefore, finding God is like looking at our reflection in the stillness of clear water. The more we stir up the water then the harder it is to see our reflection. On the other hand, the more we can still the water then the easier it is to see the reflection of our image. It's then the same way in our relationship with God. We need time and energy to be silent and still to listen to what God may want to tell us in the deep recesses of our soul. That's why Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part, for instance (Lk 10, 42). In her stillness, Mary allowed herself to be filled with Jesus. We're called to do the same.