"...Listening...Silence" -- St. JPII

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s excerpt from St. JPII’s Letter, “On the Most Holy Rosary” is particularly important, it seems to me, in our time: How we need to prayerfully listen in silence!

Listening to the word of God

1. In order to supply a Biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation, it is helpful to follow the announcement of the mystery with the proclamation of a related Biblical passage, long or short, depending on the circumstances. No other words can ever match the efficacy of the inspired word. As we listen, we are certain that this is the word of God, spoken for today and spoken “for me”.

If received in this way, the word of God can become part of the Rosary’s methodology of repetition without giving rise to the ennui derived from the simple recollection of something already well known. It is not a matter of recalling information but of allowing God to speak. In certain solemn communal celebrations, this word can be appropriately illustrated by a brief commentary.

Silence

1. Listening and meditation are nourished by silence. After the announcement of the mystery and the proclamation of the word, it is fitting to pause and focus one’s attention for a suitable period of time on the mystery concerned, before moving into vocal prayer. A discovery of the importance of silence is one of the secrets of practicing contemplation and meditation. One drawback of a society dominated by technology and the mass media is the fact that silence becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Just as moments of silence are recommended in the Liturgy, so too in the recitation of the Rosary it is fitting to pause briefly after listening to the word of God, while the mind focuses on the content of a particular mystery.
   May God grant us grace to hear the importance of what St. JPII wrote!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.
Jesus we trust in You!
Mary, Mother and Model of the Church, pray for us.

 

[metanoia1]

 Two quotes from two more Catholic saints to stress the importance of silence.

 "Silence gives us a new outlook on everthing." -St. Teresa of Calcutta-

 "Silence is the door-keeper of the interior life."  -St. Josemaria Escriva-

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear metanoia,

Thanks so much for your reply and the quotes from two of our modern saints. We really do need more silence in our culture these days. Both exteriorly and interiorly – there is just too much “noise”!

St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Josemaria Escriva both knew the value of the silence within their own interior lives to such a degree that they could “see” and “hear” God’s Will very well, it seems to me.

 

[metanoia1]

 MariaChristi,

You are quite welcome. I’m not too familiar with either of these saints, nor others for that matter. But what I can say is that interior and exterior silence has been very beneficial for my practice.

 

[aservant]

Thank you for posting this.

In Silence God speaks.
Not only do we need to step away at times from the exterior noise from the world but also from the noise in our hearts; then we can hear what God is saying to us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear metanoia,

St. Teresa of Calcutta is a woman of great charity. She is the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity who began in Calcutta, India to serve the poorest of the poor. Her Missionaries are continuing to serve Jesus in His poorest brothers and sisters, all over the world.

St. Josemaria’s work as a priest saw in lay persons a tremendous potential for growing in holiness and thus building up the Body of Christ. He began “Opus Dei”. You can find much information about these two saints on the internet or purchase books by St. Josemaria or books about St. Teresa of Calcutta.

God raises up saints in every time to help us!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks dear servant for your reply. Yes, God is always speaking to us, but we need to be silent in order to hear Him!