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Tasting the Things of God

Carmelite homily for Tuesday (Easter VI), May 19, 2020 – Lectionary 292 (John 16:5-11)

What I like about the Carmelite saints is that they see things a little bit differently, a little more deeply.  For example, this is what Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity writes, “If you do not practice sweet silence, it will be impossible for you to taste the things of God.”  I think it’s in silence that the brain, the mind can say is this indeed so?  Is this indeed correct?  Is this indeed God?  Is this indeed holy?  That’s what, I think, Jesus is inviting us to in today’s Gospel where he’s talking about sin, righteousness, and condemnation, and saying, ‘it’s different than you think.’  I think practice sweet silence; think these things out.  I think the Gospels are always saying, ‘think differently, think deeply.’  That’s the invitation of today’s Gospel.  

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Only in Silence

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 466 – Saturday, October 12, 2019

In today’s Gospel Jesus has the line, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”  How can you hear the word of God, though?  Saint John of the Cross says, “God spoke only one Word, his Son, in eternal silence; and only in silence can that word be heard.”  So practice a little – just a little, a minute, two minutes – of silence.  Turn off the phone, turn off the TV, turn off the iPad, turn off the noise; just for two minutes.  See what you hear!