Tolle Lege!
Tolle Lege! Tolle Lege! – Take up and read! Take up and read!
– The words of a child that caused Saint Augustine of Hippo to ‘take up and read’ opening the Bible to Romans 13:13-14, a critical moment in his full conversion as recorded in the Confessions.
 
Saint Augustine is a giant in the history of the Church, his insights, reflections, and teachings remain influential to this day.  Today, for just a moment I would like to offer a further encouragement to utilize these days of restrictions and limitations to be a time of silent prayer, moments given to reading the Word of God, received as a surprising gift from the Lord.  Certainly, it would be good to engage in the faith studies that I suggested on Tuesday, in my previous post, but we cannot neglect the value of simply receiving this time of silence as a privileged time to hear the voice of God.  And so, I encourage you to open your Bible and begin to read – allow the Word of God to speak to you, embrace this time as a gift.
 
Here is an painting of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church – I hope you like it!
 
 
 
Memorize
 
It can be of great value to the soul to commit to memory a passage, phrase, or even word of Sacred Scripture.  This process can be tedious, we seem to have lost the skill of memorization with so many ‘smart devices’ and the prevalence of technology, but it will allow you to focus in on what is most important in any moment.  Further, through the repetition of memorizing a passage of the Word of God we can harvest from it a great deal of the wisdom of God, and come to realize the incredible depth of the Truth of Christ, the Word of God made man.
 
I would offer a thought on choosing what to commit to memory from the Word of God – choose a passage that speaks to you, reminds you of God’s Love, and encourages you to trust in the Lord.  Yes, there are passages that are helpful for apologetics, for pointing out common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith, or even correction of sins… but, first things first: God is Love (1 John 4:16).
 
So here are just a few suggestions, not in any particular order, that immediately come to my mind… I would strongly encourage you to ‘take up and read’ the Word of God and begin to list some of the passages that strike at your heart as they affirm the reality of the Lord – the truth that ‘God is Love.’
 

• God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – 1 John 4:16
• God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should ... have eternal life. – John 3:16
• Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might. – Deuteronomy 6:4-5
• The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.  – Psalm 23:1
• Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 136:1; cf. Ps. 100:5 and Ps. 118:1
• Father, into your hands I commend my spirit – Luke 23:46; cf. Ps.31:6
• Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

 
Silent Prayer
 
Be it your devotion to the Blessed Mother through the Rosary, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, praying a Spiritual Communion prayer, or reading of the Sacred Scriptures – immerse your prayer in the shroud of silence.  This quiet, patient, trusting path of prayer will allow you to open your heart to the Word of God, the Lord Jesus, the Providence of the Lord, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in a deeper way.  May the Lord generously bless you, as you seek to hear his voice.
 
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!