Silence to Ponder, Reflect and Listen
Some of us make New Year’s resolutions and some of us realistically believe that, by the end of the month, our resolutions may well be broken and lying scattered about our feet.
A frequently cited study (published in 1989 in the Journal of Substance Abuse) that followed 200 people found that 77% of people stuck with their resolutions after one week, 43% stuck with them three months out and 19% stuck with them for two years, with many citing a lack of willpower as the reason for not keeping them.
I think, that as we celebrate at this feast of Mary the Mother of God, the scriptural readings for this feast can give us some direction and purpose as we enter a new year. In the book of Numbers, the Lord gives Moses a blessing to say to his people:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”
Saint Paul said that we should let our words build up rather than knock down; “No foul word should come from your mouth, but only what is good for fulfilling a need and so gives grace to the listeners”; (Ephesians 4:29).
The psalm that follows the reading encourages us to praise God. As we begin this new year we could think about the way we talk to one another and the way we talk about others. This blessing given to Moses is a great prayer that we can direct to others. Do I use words that build up and encourage others, those closest to me, those I work with and those who I find difficult to deal with? In my payer am I able to praise God?
In the Gospel today, the shepherds come to the stable. St Luke writes “When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Do we give ourselves time to ponder and treasure what is happening in our lives?
Our Archbishop, John Wilson, in his pastoral letter today, writes about this; “Mary knows the importance of the inner life, of prayer and contemplation. She invites us to know the Lord Jesus personally in our heart and to consider prayerfully the words of Scripture.” Is my prayer just talking to God or do I, in silence, allow God to speak to me?
The Gospel also tells us that the shepherds went back “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.” It is very easy today to allow the circumstances of our life to weigh us down. There is much doom and gloom. Never let it suppress or stifle our praise and joy of the goodness and love God
has for each one of us.
As I begin this new year, Lord, give me words to praise you and give me words that encourage others. Give me silence to ponder, reflect and listen to your word.
