The power of silence

In October, archdiocesan priests spent one week on a silent retreat in Kansas to reinvigorate their spiritual vigor and zeal. The retreat motto was, “Rest, renew, restore and respond to the Word of God.”

Father Christopher Tran used the time to meditate on the meaning of silence. He shared his thoughts on why silence is crucial to grow in faith, devotion and reverence, especially during the season of Advent and Christmas. 

Why is it important for Catholics to keep silence in their daily life? 
Silence is powerful. It isn’t empty, but rather it is full of answers. Silence opens our hearts, and doors for God to reach out to us, as Psalm 46:11 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

God speaks in the silence of our hearts. We find this silence in prayer, and that’s why prayer is the absolute essence of Catholic life. Without prayer, it is difficult to distinguish God’s will from our own will. When we pray, we draw knowledge, spiritual strength and power from God, while our words and actions become inspired by the Holy Spirit who enables us to fulfill our daily duties well for the glory of God and the good of other people.

Which passage about silence from the Holy Scripture is most inspiring to you?
Luke 6:12-13, “In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he called his disciples to him and chose 12 of them, whom he also designated as apostles.”

Jesus chose the apostles only after spending all night in prayer to God the Father. Similarly, he gave authority over the Church to Peter after spending time in prayer. 

The Lord showed us that his mission on earth was always united with the father’s holy will, and those who are his disciples must also be united with the father the same way through prayer in silence.

What is the best way to start the day to keep silence of heart?
Always begin the day with a personal encounter with God in silence of your heart through meditation on the Holy Scripture, contemplation, examination of conscience, but most importantly the Holy Eucharist and adoration. When we receive Jesus with the Eucharist, he brings silence, peace, love, and tranquility to our hearts. When we adore him in the Blessed Sacrament, we nurture silence in our souls. From these moments of prayer, we can draw vitality and resilience for our daily struggles in our vocations. When you meet God in the silence of your heart, you will live a truly profound life.

How can people enter into silence without being afraid of it?
Keeping silence shall never be a one-time attempt. Rather, our daily activities shall be shaped around silence and silence around our activities, so that we can behold God all the time in our lives. 

Oftentimes, people are fearful to be alone and silent. They don’t realize that only in silence and prayer they can find that true peace and love from Christ that nothing and no one else on earth can provide.

In the silence of prayer, we can reach the mountaintop experience and see our lives from the eagle perspective, like Jesus did. We can see more than if we remained in the noisiness of the world (that is, on the bottom of the valley or at the foot of the mountain).

Even though it is difficult to keep silence within ourselves, we shall never give up trying.

How can people nurture silence during Advent and be better prepared for Christmas?
With these three steps: prayer, poverty and patience, which set the rhythm of Advent. 

First, make sure to devote more time to prayer, both individually, with your family and the church community, which will help you to find peace and calm in your soul. Ask Mary for help as she lived ‘Advent’ (the time of expectation for Christ) for nine months. Pray the Rosary, pray for the lonely and the poor, meditate on passages of God’s Word the Church gives us during Advent. 

Imitate the saints in prayer. An outstanding example of silent life of prayer is Saint Joseph who was always obedient to faith, acknowledging in his humility that he is unable to comprehend God’s greatness. 

Second, free yourself from attachments to wealth and material possessions. Looking at the crib we realize that the first people invited to meet the Messiah were simple shepherds whose humility enabled them to enter the mystery of Christmas. 

Third, reflect on the history of the chosen people Israel who have longed for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is the time to engage in works of mercy and exercise Christian virtues, especially patience, while awaiting God’s will to be done in our daily lives. 

The silence of Advent teaches us to slow down, quieten our hearts and prepare ourselves for the coming of our Divine Redeemer.

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: Fr. Christopher Tran during a pilgrimage with Vietnamese priests serving in the United States to the Holy Land in 2019 on the mountain where Jesus prayed in silence. Photo provided.