Finding God in the Silence

The Holy Father, suggested in his World Communications Day address on Sunday that we all need to incorporate silence into our daily lives. In recognition of this, many Catholic bloggers went silent on their websites today. I have decided to share a brief quotation from the address, share my favorite scripture passage on silence and to share a prayer to assist in recognizing the presence of God in the silence of our lives.

Pope Benedict XVI:

If God speaks to us even in silence, we in turn discover in silence the possibility of speaking with God and about God. 'We need that silence which becomes contemplation, which introduces us into God’s silence and brings us to the point where the Word, the redeeming Word, is born' (Homily, Eucharistic Celebration with Members of the International Theological Commission, 6 October 2006).

Often, the Lord speaks to us in a whisper as He did to Elijah:

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lordwas not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (2 Kings 19:11-13)

Loving and merciful Father, fill me with your grace, that my ears may hear your whisper.  Lord, fill my heart with the love for you, that I may do your will. Lord, help me to decrease so that you can increase. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

46th World Communications Day

Today was the 46th World Communications Day celebrated by the Catholic Church. The Church has embraced the use of media technology as an evangelization tool for quite some time. The Church may not have anticipated the creation of the Internet (thanks Al Gore), but she did have the foresight to know that media would play a key role in evangelization in the 20th and beyond. 

Pope Paul VI in his first World Communications Day (WCD) address said:

It is necessary, however, that the efforts of the workers in the field of social communications be seconded by the united cooperation of all, for it is the responsibility of all that is put to the test: that of parents who are the first, irreplaceable educators of their children; that of teachers whose task it is to instruct their pupils in the knowledge and understanding of the language of modern techniques, showing them how to appreciate what is put forward, how to use these means sensibly with moderation and self-discipline. The responsibility of young people is brought into play, for they are called upon in a high degree to exploit these instruments in their own personal education as well as in the promotion of brotherhood and peace among men. The public authorities too exercise their responsibility in the furtherance and the defence of the common good with due respect for true liberty. (Church and Social Communication, 1967)

Here's a quick overview of WCD:

Books to Read:
The Church and New Media, Brandon Vogt
Noise, Teresa Tomeo