"But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." (Lk 1:20)
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Deep down below on the bottom of the lake lived a clamshell. Its color blended perfectly with its muddy surroundings. It just lay there and did nothing except be continually surprised. For there was so much to see, to admire, to take in…
Not far from the sea shell lived a colorful goldfish. Everyday it swam back and forth in front of the clamshell, showing off its beauty and waiting for recognition. It often wondered why the clamshell just lay there lazily and did nothing. So the fish asked the clamshell how he could tolerate doing nothing all the time.
The clamshell said, "Well, did you ever know that when we are quiet, things begin to talk? Everything has its own language. Can you hear the water, the plants, and the stones? When we are very quiet, all these things begin to shine." (Peter Boeckholt) [1]
There are times when we are unable to hear what another is trying to say to us because of the cacophony of various sounds in our surroundings. We cannot deeply concentrate our mind on something, because we are absorbed with a lot of things to do, multi-tasking here and there. We get sidetracked easily especially in this age of modern technology. We have our ears glued continually to i-pods, radio and TV. Even our computers blare out various clatters nowadays. Silence seems to have become very elusive in this day and age.
Today’s Gospel recounts how Zechariah turned mute when he doubted the angel Gabriel’s announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. We wonder why the Lord had to go to the extent of taking away his ability to speak to punish him for his skepticism.
Perhaps it was to compel him to be more reflective of the events that were to happen in his household. His enforced silence was meant to keep him attuned more and more to the mind of Almighty God. Deprived of the normal use of his voice, it would automatically enable him to be in a listening mode for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Most people still have the idea that prayer consists in mainly talking to our Father in Heaven. Prayer is supposed to be a conversation or a dialogue between God and us. We talk, our Lord listens. Then the Most High speaks while we listen in silence. Sometimes, both parties choose to be still in each other’s presence and there is sweetness and joy in the air.
This is the reasons why we need to go on spiritual retreats to be able to practice silencing our lips, our minds and our hearts. I call it a vacation with the Lord, and an appropriate bonding time with the Most Holy Trinity. During group retreats, however, the gathering becomes a time of fellowship with community members and the rule of silence is not strictly followed.
I personally welcome the time when I am alone in the house because I have the chance to practice silence, both interiorly and exteriorly. Besides, in undertaking this Bible Sharing Apostolate I need to have more silent moments around me in order to keep myself always attuned to God’s messages in the Scriptures.
As the above tale explains, when we try to quiet ourselves we suddenly become aware of various insights coming from God’s other creatures – in nature all around us. When we are in that contemplative mode it is easy for us to comprehend what nature is telling us about God’s goodness and wisdom.
With Christmas Day approaching, let us spend more time in silence and introspection for our spiritual preparation for Christ’s birthday celebration. In a week’s time we shall have a full-blown festivity on our hands. But today, let us spend some time entering into silence, in order to contemplate God and listen to what He is trying to say to us.
Not far from the sea shell lived a colorful goldfish. Everyday it swam back and forth in front of the clamshell, showing off its beauty and waiting for recognition. It often wondered why the clamshell just lay there lazily and did nothing. So the fish asked the clamshell how he could tolerate doing nothing all the time.
The clamshell said, "Well, did you ever know that when we are quiet, things begin to talk? Everything has its own language. Can you hear the water, the plants, and the stones? When we are very quiet, all these things begin to shine." (Peter Boeckholt) [1]
There are times when we are unable to hear what another is trying to say to us because of the cacophony of various sounds in our surroundings. We cannot deeply concentrate our mind on something, because we are absorbed with a lot of things to do, multi-tasking here and there. We get sidetracked easily especially in this age of modern technology. We have our ears glued continually to i-pods, radio and TV. Even our computers blare out various clatters nowadays. Silence seems to have become very elusive in this day and age.
Today’s Gospel recounts how Zechariah turned mute when he doubted the angel Gabriel’s announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. We wonder why the Lord had to go to the extent of taking away his ability to speak to punish him for his skepticism.
Perhaps it was to compel him to be more reflective of the events that were to happen in his household. His enforced silence was meant to keep him attuned more and more to the mind of Almighty God. Deprived of the normal use of his voice, it would automatically enable him to be in a listening mode for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Most people still have the idea that prayer consists in mainly talking to our Father in Heaven. Prayer is supposed to be a conversation or a dialogue between God and us. We talk, our Lord listens. Then the Most High speaks while we listen in silence. Sometimes, both parties choose to be still in each other’s presence and there is sweetness and joy in the air.
This is the reasons why we need to go on spiritual retreats to be able to practice silencing our lips, our minds and our hearts. I call it a vacation with the Lord, and an appropriate bonding time with the Most Holy Trinity. During group retreats, however, the gathering becomes a time of fellowship with community members and the rule of silence is not strictly followed.
I personally welcome the time when I am alone in the house because I have the chance to practice silence, both interiorly and exteriorly. Besides, in undertaking this Bible Sharing Apostolate I need to have more silent moments around me in order to keep myself always attuned to God’s messages in the Scriptures.
As the above tale explains, when we try to quiet ourselves we suddenly become aware of various insights coming from God’s other creatures – in nature all around us. When we are in that contemplative mode it is easy for us to comprehend what nature is telling us about God’s goodness and wisdom.
With Christmas Day approaching, let us spend more time in silence and introspection for our spiritual preparation for Christ’s birthday celebration. In a week’s time we shall have a full-blown festivity on our hands. But today, let us spend some time entering into silence, in order to contemplate God and listen to what He is trying to say to us.
End Notes for this Bible Sharing
1. "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 407, "When It Is Quiet, Things Roundabout Begin to Talk," p.198, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.
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