Daily HOMILY for March 11, 2014: Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent, Cycle A

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Tuesday 1^st Week of Lent

St. Luke’s Institute

March 11, 2014

NOISE RATHER THAN SILENCE ++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  J teaching us how to pray reminds us that R prayer includes listening & not simply saying of words

Ø  We must admit, at times, we find selves in prayer in same way as a person sitting nervously w/ a new acquaintance

Ø  We feel we have 2B saying something every minute

Ø  We find pauses in conversation as embarrassing dead spots that need to be filled, rather then see them as deep silence inviting reflection & savoring

SILENCE RATHER THAN NOISE ++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  How different w/ someone we know very well!

Ø  We can sit together, gazing at a fire or listening to music, w/o feeling that 1 of us had 2B saying something every moment

Ø  Jesus’ saying that in R prayer shouldn’t just rattle on or multiply words

Ø  Isn’t it silence that precisely R prayer often lacks?

Ø  It lacks the space for God 2B G w/o R thoughts, images, pious words

Ø  It’s in that sort of space (1) God can be God (2) Present to us without anything we’ve added, and (3) Move us at a deeper level?

A PRESENCE LIKE RAIN OR SNOW +++++++++++++++++

Ø  It’s silence of the “inner room” J spoke about Ash Wednesday, & it’s Isaiah who tells us what the encounter will be like

Ø  God’s Word will be “like rain or snow” (1) that softens the earth, (2) makes it fertile, and (3) eventually bringing forth its crops

IN SUM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  In sum, God’s work in us requires that we leave G some opening, a chance to be heard

Ø  It’s very difficult 2 do in a world of so much noise & so little tolerance 4 silence

Ø  Sitting in silence w/ the Lord does take some practice, but the use of a 2 or 3-word phrase from SS, repeated gently, can bring us back or take us deeper

Ø  And there, in our inner room to be present to God

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++