In the Silence

Written by Elaina Jo Polovick on Friday of the First Week of Lent

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O God;
God, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.”
-Psalm 130

This quote from today’s psalm speaks to our need for God to listen to us. I often find myself shouting at God “listen to me!” However, this week our theme is not “now is the time to be heard;” the theme is “now is the time to listen”. We are called to listen. Listen. Do you hear it? Do you hear God calling your name?

As humans we desperately want to be heard. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, we all want to be heard. It is in our nature. Yet, in this Lenten season we are called to listen. We are called to a revolution of the heart where we focus on the peacefulness deep within us. When we enter into silence, when we listen, we can access a peace of heart that allows us to enter deeply into prayer and into relationship with God.

It is often the times when we are most in need of God that we struggle to listen to God. I know for myself in times of desolation I often spend all my time in prayer petitioning God instead of listening to what God may be telling me through the challenge I am facing. Although it is hard to remember, those times when I have been able to quiet myself and enter into silence I have found myself full of gratitude for God’s love and presence in my life. I have heard God calling my name in the silence, laying on my heart the knowledge of God’s abounding love. Silence does not mean isolation. On the contrary, when we enter into silence we open ourselves up to let the Spirit fill us.

Questions for Reflection:
How can you enter more deeply into silence today?
Think of a time when you have really listened to God. What was that experience like? Try and to spent ten minutes listening to God today.

Elaina Jo Polovick
Elaina Jo is one of the peer ministers at St. Mary Student Parish. She works with the special events team as well as a smattering of other programs.
Email: epolovick@smspnewman.org