Silence is a participation in the world to come, a participation in eternity, in God’s simplicity, a
great Mystery beyond words. Love seeking me is the reason for silence. The monk's wonder-filled response to God’s seeking is the silence of love and the
longing to be absorbed in wordless, quiet rest in the presence of the One who
loves him. Those in love need not say anything. They want simply"to be with," to be agendaless, resting in each other's presence. God longs for our openness, a great
empty space within us, an emptiness that is not nothing but is availability. In
silence I can notice God noticing me. In practicing silence, allowing silence,
allowing the empty space, I make an open space for God.
Ancient statue of Saint Benedict brought from the monastery of Our Lady of the Valley in Rhode Island at the time of Spencer's founding. Photograph by Brother Daniel.
