The Language of God

Deacon Tom Writes

The Language of God

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Elijah is awestruck to realize that God presented Himself in the “tiny whispering sound”. For upon hearing this sound Elijah “hid his face in his cloak.” Perhaps this is why so many of us struggle with our spirituality today. It is so difficult for us to find quiet space and idle time in our busy lives. We have so much coming at us throughout our waking hours. We feel “bombarded”. Technology has delivered so many devices to entertain us 24/7. There is no “free” time; there is no shortage of things to do. More than ever before, we have to make a conscious decision to seek out a quite place and set yourself apart from the rapid pace of life. I don’t see any other way of being able to hear that “tiny whispering sound” through which God reaches out to us so He can be a part of our lives.

In his autobiography Seven Story Mountain, Thomas Merton tells how he was able to find true freedom not in the world but rather within the confines of the four walls of a monastic cell. It was there in the silence of the Trappist Monastery that He experienced the “tiny whispering sound” that enabled him to find himself and to find God.

Now we all aren’t as fortunate as Thomas Merton and head off to the solitude of a Cistercian Monastery. But we can learn from his experience. Somehow, someway, we need to find a quiet place and carve out some quite time in our lives so that we can hear the “tiny whispering sound” of God piercing through to make His presence known to us. For it is only in this silence, this strange language of God, that we are able to hear His voice. 

God bless and keep you always!

Deacon Tom