I recently spent a few days at a silent retreat at the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau. It was such a meaningful experience and something that I hope to do more often.
How often are you quiet? How often do you experience silence?
Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote some important words about prayer and silence: “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - - trees, flowers, grass - - grow in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” (“Something Beautiful for God,” page 66)
Henri Nouwen was a Roman Catholic priest and psychologist. He taught at Yale, Harvard and Notre Dame, and authored over twenty books.
He wrote this: “Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. Solitude begins with a time and a place for God, and Him alone. If we really believe not only that God exists but also that He is actively present in our lives, we need to set aside a time and a space to give Him our undivided attention.” (“Making All Things New”)
I encourage you today to try to find a few moments of silence, and in that silence to find God.
The Old Testament affirms, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 122:1)