In his book, Contemplative Prayer, Trappist monk Thomas Merton shares this reflection on contemplative silence from Syrian monk Isaac of Nineveh:
Many are avidly seeking but they alone find who remain in continual silence. … Every man who delights in a multitude of words, even though he says admirable things, is empty within. If you love truth, be a lover of silence. Silence like the sunlight will illuminate you in God and will deliver you from the phantoms of ignorance. Silence will unite you to God himself. … More than all things love silence: it brings you a fruit that tongue cannot describe. In the beginning we have to force ourselves to be silent. But then there is born something that draws us to silence. May God give you an experience of this “something” that is born of silence. If only you practice this, untold light will dawn on you in consequence … after a while a certain sweetness is born in the heart of this exercise and the body is drawn almost by force to remain in silence.
Don’t forget to join the MMOC Contemplative Core Team for "Introduction to Contemplative Prayer & The Centering Prayer Practice” on Saturday, September 14, from 8:30 am-12:15 pm. To register for the workshop, visit SignUp Genius or call the Parish Office at 314-894-1373! For questions or more information call Carolyn Hebenstreit 314.578.0062 or e-mail the MMOC Contemplative Core Team at [email protected],