Wasn’t it just July 1st and now we are at the 31st? The older I get, the faster time seems to go. Or am I just getting slower? Whatever the answer is, we are now getting ready for August and half the summer is over. Treasure it.
A friend gave me a book to read and it came at a great time. The book is ALL THAT IS MADE (A Guide to Faith and the Creative Life) by ALABASTER CO. It begins with the question of What is Liturgy? My immediate response was WHAT? Patiently I read further and found this definition: “Taken from the Greek leitourgia, liturgy translates directly to ‘work of the people’. Liturgy is our public work of faith.”
This struck me for several reasons as we at Saints Philip and James Parish have been meeting with folks on Wednesday sharing our faith and seeing how we live it out. Secondly this third year of the Eucharistic Revival speaks of us going out and sharing our faith. So how do we do all of this. Well, it all takes time and intentionality. The book shares that a first step may be the need for silence.
Think about it, how many silent moments have you had during the month of July? Not counting sleeping! We lead busy lives and our lives are bombarded with all sorts of noise. Have you ever been talking with someone and when you finish speaking with them, they pick up their phone and start texting or answering emails? I have. For some of us, putting our phone down or shutting off the news or music can be very challenging.
We have experienced the calming effect of silence on our souls. The presence of God’s Spirit comes alive when we take the time to sit or walk in silence. How differently we create/act from a place of silence rather than from a place of panic. We need to create “from a deep stream of life that Jesus creates for us” (pg.12)
During this week try and spend some extra silent time with yourself and God. The picture with this reflection was taken by my friend Sister Brenda Whelan RSM, at Enders Island in Mystic, CT. Spend some time reflecting on its beauty and the wonder of God in this world and in your life! Notice how you feel and respond after having spent some time reflecting and being silent – all phones down as another friend would say. May your week find you joyfully living your ‘public work of faith’.
Till Next Week,
Sister Theresita
