Great art is often conceived, nourished, and born in silence. In the silence of a mother’s womb, God knits and fashions the exquisite limbs of a baby who mirrors his or her creator in unique ways.
In silence, Mary conceived Jesus. In the silence of the moist earth, God launched the tiny acorn on its long journey to become a mighty oak in the cathedral-like forest.
In the silence of the dark sealed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus rose from the dead.
A gift from God
Silence is God’s gift that can resurrect our creative mystical powers. In silence, the Holy Spirit teaches us to call Jesus “Lord” and to pray with love and grace.
In the silence after we receive Communion, we have the opportunity to commune with God in perhaps the most intimate encounter this side of Heaven.
If we listen carefully with love, we may hear Jesus whisper, “My Son, my daughter! You are my unique and precious work of art. I love you so much that I died on the cross for you so that you could enjoy the gift of Heaven. I love you by watching over you through the care and concern of your family and friends. I am closer to you than you are to yourself.”
In an inspiring homily entitled “Take a Moment of Silence” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York said, “Each of the seven years I was rector of the North American College in Rome, I read 50 or so autobiographies of the men entering the seminary. I soon discovered that almost all of the men discerned the call to the priesthood in silence. It was often during quiet prayer before the Eucharist; sometimes during a retreat or another period of stillness; maybe during a time of quiet reflection after a pivotal experience or encounter. For others, it came in silence during a life-changing episode such as a pilgrimage, service project, or World Youth Day. The shepherd’s voice came gently, softly, quietly.”
“These young candidates had come to know their shepherd through wonderful parents and families, vibrant parishes and communities, careful catechesis and uplifting liturgy, service to his neglected, immersion in his Word, the support of friends and the joy of fellowship, his Real Presence in the Eucharist, and merciful forgiveness in penance.
“They had come to know this shepherd so well that when, in silence, he whispered, ‘Come, follow me as a priest,’ they recognized him, heard him, and responded.”
Making the most of silence
In his memoirs, Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, wrote, “How beautiful the thoughts that silently came, lying in the vast meadow and led by countless stars to contemplate the glory of the blessed.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote, “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.’’
In the silence of our hearts, God speaks to us. In silence, God spoke to Samuel in the Old Testament and called him to do great things. After the third time, Samuel responded, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Cardinal Dolan continued, “To hear the shepherd’s voice we must be quiet. To let him talk, we need to stop talking. Our first vocation, then, is not to priesthood, marriage, Religious Life, lay ecclesial ministry, deaconate, or the single state. No. Our primary vocation is to know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so well, that when he whispers to us in silence, we will hear his voice and follow his call. Then, we’ll have all the vocations we need.”
As Catholics let us continue to make silent times for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and prayerful, discerning silence so we can hear the voice of the shepherd calling us to our specific vocation.
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.