The Importance of Silence and Meditation in the Life of a Christian

"The contemplatives and ascetics of all ages and religions have sought God in the silence and solitude of the desert, forest and mountain.
We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally. To be alone with him not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything, to dwell lovingly in his presence-silent, empty, expectant and motionless."  St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

More than ever the Church, all the people of God, need to withdraw, at times, and just sit and listen. In peace and quiet, whether in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic devotion or in a quiet church, or any other quiet place and just be.

I'm taking a Christian meditation course at a local church and though I've taken it before I continually need to be reminded of the importance of meditation, of just being in the presence of God with no agenda. Just breathing deeply and rhythmically and clearing my mind and waiting for God in stillness. Meditation is a powerful form of prayer and very beneficial on many levels-psychological, physical and spiritual. Many of the saints meditated in one form or another. It is a way to calm the body, mind and soul. It has many measurable health benefits.

But its a discipline and like other disciplines it takes work to do it every day. But I for one, need it in this fast paced, crazy, modern world we live in.  I need it to calm my mind with all the "stuff" that's constantly bombarding our psyche.

People need to be taught the importance of stillness, meditation and solitude and the benefits it has. Also more silence should be built into liturgy, in my humble opinion. I truly believe that after people receive Holy Communion at Mass, there should not be singing at that specific time in the Mass and only instrumental music, so the congregation can go within and commune with God. Soft instrumental music so that after receiving the Body of Christ we can enter a brief meditation and feel God's presence within.

NJA

Will The Spirit Lead Reform and Renewal in the Church?

Will the Pope and all the Cardinals and Bishops of the Church be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit while reforming the Church? It is crucial that they are, that they are open and willing to put aside their will and accept God's will and the radical movement of the Holy Spirit. I pray pride does not get in the way.
I read with interest an online article in "Amcrica" magazine about German Cardinal Reinhard Marx calling for "change in long standing church teachings" as the Germans Bishops Conference prepares for a workshop debate to review the issue of celibacy for priests." At a New Year's Mass at the Cathedral in Munich, the Cardinal said, "in light of the failure surrounding the sexual abuse crisis the Church must be open to modifying church teaching in response to changing modern times." Lay Catholics in Germany and elsewhere support this view.
Thank you Cardinal Marx for having the courage to say what needs to be said.......in my humble opinion, besides implementing more reforms and safeguards for protecting children and others, I do believe, without a doubt, that mandatory celibacy must be re-evaluated and eventually be made optional in the Roman Catholic Church for priests. Perhaps an Order of Married Priests in the Roman Catholic Church can be considered and added.
The man-made Church law of mandatory celibacy is hurting the Church. Celibacy might be a needed and welcome discipline for some, but it is too strict for all.
Any discussions on reforms and renewal in the Church, should include a discussion and evaluation of mandatory celibacy.
All Cardinals and Bishops should pray about this, ask for God's will in this matter and like Cardinal Marx be realistic about the future of the Church. Accessibility of the Sacraments, and growth in the Church is more important than any man-made law.
NJA