Encountering God in silence (Homily for Friday of the 10th week in ordinary time, year II, June 14 2024)

Homily for Friday of the 10th week in ordinary time, year II, June 14 2024)

Encountering God in silence

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16; Psalm 27; Matthew 5:27-32

Dear faithful,

In the hustle of our daily lives, we often equate grandeur and power with noise and spectacle. Today's first reading invites us to a different understanding of God's presence. Elijah's encounter with God at Mount Horeb is a profound lesson in divine subtlety. Unlike earthly rulers, whose arrival is marked by pomp and clamor, God reveals Himself to Elijah in a gentle whisper—a "still small voice."

This moment with Elijah is a call to each of us to seek God in the quiet. It is in the stillness that we can truly hear the voice of the Lord and receive His revelations. We are encouraged to cultivate moments of silence in our lives, to engage in introspection, and to have intimate conversations with our Creator. Such practices may initially seem mundane, but they are the wellspring of spiritual vitality.

The Gospel further teaches us the importance of vigilance over our hearts and minds. Jesus instructs us to avoid the near occasions of sin, which often requires a reflective and examined life. It is through silent contemplation that we gain the insight to recognize and evade these subtle snares.

Each one of us possesses the gift of imagination, a power that can only be fully realized in the quietude of our hearts. God often chooses these silent interludes to impart His divine wisdom. If we are perpetually surrounded by noise, we risk missing the gentle communications of the Holy Spirit.

Let us heed the Psalmist's exhortation and the example of Elijah. Let us be still and know the presence of God. In the silence, let us listen for His voice, for it is there that He speaks to us most clearly.

Amen.

God bless you.