Bishop's Message:

The Gift of Quiet Contemplation

Espanol

Over the last several Sundays the Church has focused on the Gospel of Luke. More than any other Gospel and beginning with the account of our Lord’s baptism by John in the Jordan, we hear several accounts of Jesus in prayer.

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3:21-22).

To have been present that day and witness the revelation of the Trinity must have been a profound moment! Yet as we read this passage do we recognize the role of prayer in building on our own foundation of Baptism? Have we accepted the invitation that has been extended to us to take refuge in God’s presence in prayer and the sacraments?

As we continue our Eucharistic Revival, we are made aware that, grounded in Christ’s real presence through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we are fortified to go out and be his presence in the world. When we become one with God in the sacraments, his prayer and our prayer become one; his presence in each one of us individually becomes his presence in the world. 

Pope Francis has said that the “secret to knowing the Lord” is immersing ourselves in silent prayer and adoration of God in our lives. May we allow ourselves the gift of quiet contemplation to hear his voice and know his real presence in the sacraments for the sanctification of the world.