“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” The Word is ever becoming flesh in each living being, present as we lovingly surrender, cooperate, attend to his presence. Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds: simple souls gazing in silence, hearts filled with wonder, awe, gratitude. The busy world does not stop to stoop down, to look into the manger. You are here now. So is the one you are seeking in the stillness of your heart.
The peace of silence quiets troubled souls,
It bathes the spirit, concentrates the mind;
It stills the passions, consecrates, consoles,
Refreshes energies, restores, refines.
How much of me I spend in idle speech,
And restless listening to programmed sounds;
Yet all the while I'm longing to retreat
Away from all distractions, to reground:
To keep the body, soul, and mind at peace,
To dive beneath the ocean's crashing waves,
To wake alone when all the world's asleep,
To still distracting thoughts and simply gaze.
In silence I am happy, one, and free;
In silence what becomes begins to be.
Merry Christmas to each and to all.
Fr. Wm. Paul McKane
Christmas 2015
