Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).
REFLECTION: This short verse from the book of Psalms causes us to consider the greatness of God, and also to look at how we pray. First, in the context of the chapter taken as a whole, it is an invitation for the readers to seek refuge in the Lord. At the very beginning of the chapter, the Psalmist says that not only God is our refuge and strength but he is also ever ready to help in times of trouble (Ps 46:1). We are counseled to have confidence in the assurances given by the Lord and to wait patiently for his saving intervention. In the midst of strife and all of life’s troubles, it can be beneficial at times just to take a step back and rest a while to take time to reflect and acknowledge God’s name and to marvel at what he can do for us. References to the Lord’s protection of the just are also to be found in Psalm 91: “my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Ps 91:1-2).
Second, this verse highlights the importance of prayer as a means of bringing us into a closer relationship with God. In Interior Castle St. Teresa of Avila wrote, “if a person does not think whom he is addressing, and what he is asking for, and who it is that is asking and of whom he is asking it, I do not consider that he is praying at all even though he be constantly moving his lips.” Staying focused in prayer requires effort and discipline and thus the call, “be still, be still.” One would do well to seek greater solitude so as to be free from worldly desires and noisy chatter. Taking away outside distractions is an essential condition for prayer to fulfill its purpose. The words of our Lord and Saviour become meaningful in this context as well. Encouraging his disciples, he says, “when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in that secret place; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:6). Praying in silence and resting in God as the Psalmist suggests is welcome in a world full of noise and hustle and bustle, forgets where the core need to sustain one’s soul tends to be neglected. Paying heed to the words of the Lord is the first and the last thing, if a spiritual life grounded in prayer is to be successfully cultivated. All noise that drowns out the voice of God must be excluded. As Pope Francis said, “it would be good for us to make room for silence, to hear the voice of love.” The value of silence should never be underestimated. It allows us to experience God more intimately, and also provides for the Word of God to ingrain itself into our hearts and minds. “The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you” (James 4:8).
PRAYER: Lord, we frequently implore you with our many prayers and petitions. Being aware that possessing a strong faith and living a virtuous life are fundamental to achieving our goal of encountering the living God, may we come to realize the importance of solitude as well. May we ponder the words of the Psalmist “be still and know that Iam God” in all situations of our life. May our quiet contemplation open up for us a fount of knowledge as we endeavour to enhance our prayer life. Renew our hearts, Lord, and revive our spirit by giving us a fresh understanding of prayer. God create in me a clean heart, renew within me a resolute spirit.
CONTEMPLATION : Sit comfortably and free your mind of all distractions. Then, gradually experience the presence of the Lord within and around you. Be attentive to the promptings of the Lord who converses with you in the stillness of your heart. Imagine, the Lord gently inviting you to carefully examine your faith and your prayer life. Ask yourself: Am I truly prayerful? Are my prayers really from the heart or am I merely muttering unintelligibly. Take few moments to reflect and see prayer as a journey of faith and hope into the soul’s interior in search of God.
ACTION: – Cultivate proper dispositions to enable you to better approach God in prayer
– Clear your mind of earthly matters before you pray. Then speak slowly and humbly, believing always in God’s goodness
