Jesus tells us that "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Mt 6:7).
Words upon words, like the doomed tower of Babel, babble fills our world. Indeed, this blog or thought-dump is just so much babble. Like the great meditation masters repeatly tell us: Do less, think less, 'babble' less and meditate more! This goes for prayer too, me thinks. An exchange of information is necessary, but when it runs wild, when we 'babble' instead of finding an inner stillness to greet the Father, who knows what we need before we ask, this is a distraction from what is important, what is holy, what is Truth.
Babble distracts. How can i pray when distracted? I love silent retreats. The shock of people walking around, sitting next to me, even sharing a room and not speaking is tremendous ... but short lived. Embracing the silence, i have no need to think about what to say. No need to be clever, charming, gossipy, busy with securing my own ego, for now i am free to smile and cast my eyes back down and know thankfulness for everything. The real shock comes at the end of the retreat when talking resumes. Suddenly the world is loud and cluttered and full of 'babble'! Those silent smiles meant more than any word offered. I remember what my school teachers encouraged: Think before you speak. I smile. Silence is golden.
And in my own oasis of silence i can pray. I can find the wisdom and strength to forgive others their trespasses, even as anger may threaten to boil over. Our Father is with us. Love, forgiveness and grace are ours if we so choose. In the silence of an uncluttered mind i am best prepared to hear Him and know His Truth.
Deo gratias.
Words upon words, like the doomed tower of Babel, babble fills our world. Indeed, this blog or thought-dump is just so much babble. Like the great meditation masters repeatly tell us: Do less, think less, 'babble' less and meditate more! This goes for prayer too, me thinks. An exchange of information is necessary, but when it runs wild, when we 'babble' instead of finding an inner stillness to greet the Father, who knows what we need before we ask, this is a distraction from what is important, what is holy, what is Truth.
Babble distracts. How can i pray when distracted? I love silent retreats. The shock of people walking around, sitting next to me, even sharing a room and not speaking is tremendous ... but short lived. Embracing the silence, i have no need to think about what to say. No need to be clever, charming, gossipy, busy with securing my own ego, for now i am free to smile and cast my eyes back down and know thankfulness for everything. The real shock comes at the end of the retreat when talking resumes. Suddenly the world is loud and cluttered and full of 'babble'! Those silent smiles meant more than any word offered. I remember what my school teachers encouraged: Think before you speak. I smile. Silence is golden.
And in my own oasis of silence i can pray. I can find the wisdom and strength to forgive others their trespasses, even as anger may threaten to boil over. Our Father is with us. Love, forgiveness and grace are ours if we so choose. In the silence of an uncluttered mind i am best prepared to hear Him and know His Truth.
Deo gratias.
No comments:
Post a Comment