Sunday worship allows us to leave behind the world’s noise and find a quiet place to commune with God. Nature is another form of silence, with the sound of God’s creatures bringing the same peace as silence. But I’m often pulled back into the noise in my mind…that “silent noise” that keeps telling me I have things to do! Can you relate?

Meditation requires silence; for some, an item you need to put on your grocery list pops into your mind as soon as you focus on the silence. I have days when I wonder what a cloistered life in a monastery would be like — a peaceful way of life.

There is one place, however, that brings me the ultimate peaceful silence. It occurs immediately following the Breaking of the Bread and just before the words “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” The broken bread is placed on the paten, I bow before the sacred elements, and the silence in the sanctuary is deafening! All present are keenly aware of the sanctity of the moment. His life was poured out for us on the cross and, at this very moment in the service, no words can capture such awe and thanksgiving. Holy silence is the only option.

It is good to know we can still find a place of silence, especially before the Lord. And in this season of Lent, may you be blessed with the presence of God, where silence is your only option.

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.