Reflection authored by: Fr Michael Amadeo, Pastor OLIH
In September 2018 I was provided the opportunity to study & live in Israel/Palestine for three months. Tantur Ecumenical Center was my home base while I was in the Holy Land. Tantur is a 35 acre campus, located a few blocks from the entrance into the city of Bethlehem, that has an impressive set of stone buildings, gardens and 500 olive trees.
Detailed image of the icon Christ the New Adam
My prayer life at the time was minimal and dry. Stephanie Saldana, who has lived in the Middle East for seventeen years soon became my Spiritual Director during my time in the Holy Land. During our first meeting, after listening to me describe the current state of my prayer life, she invited me to go into the gardens at Tantur and sit in front of a beautiful icon of Christ the New Adam. Stephanie invited me to simply sit & listen. Say nothing, petition for nothing, be grateful for nothing. Just sit and be still.
In the following weeks I frequently returned to the garden spot and the life size icon; I sat and listened. I heard again the words spoken long ago, words I needed to hear again. The words of God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Upon my return from sabbatical, I frequently was asked the question, ‘What did I learn from my time in the Holy Land?’ Most inquirers expected to hear about a biblical location, a scriptural insight, or an understanding into the Middle East conflicts. Many were surprised with my response: The greatest learning was to once again fall in love with Jesus of Nazareth.
The time spent before the icon in the Tantur gardens renewed and refreshed my being. To be in love is not so much to speak to another, rather it is to be content and still in the presence of the other. A young couple in the early stages of their relationship have a desire to be with each other. There is a longing to be in the presence of the other. Over time the couple settles into a routine where work, hobbies, and family life takes precedence over being with one another. The desire to be with the other becomes secondary. This dynamic is also true in our relationship with God. Over time if an individual is not attentive and intentional to the relationship with God one can fall out of love with God. To be present, still, and listening is at the heart of relationships, human or spiritual.
My prayer still includes petitions and thanksgivings. It also includes time for being still and listening to the One that invites me daily to fall in love with Christ the New Adam, my savior, Jesus of Nazareth.
Author Justin Fatica writes, “Listening to God is not just about meditation, or some routine thought process; its being in communion and in a relationship with a God who dwells within us.” pages 77-78
Question:
Do you incorporate being still and listening in your prayer life?
Challenge:
In your prayer time, include five minutes of silence.
On your drive to work, the grocery store, or picking up children from school, turn off the radio or the podcast; embrace the quiet and know that God desires you to fall in love with the One who created you.
Picture of the icon Christ the New Adam at Tantur Ecumenical Institute