Lenten reflection: In the silence, I experience the presence of God in a new way
During my time at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange in the Archdiocese of Newark, I have grown to appreciate the season of Lent more and more, especially now as a Transitional Deacon preparing for priestly ordination. It is a beautiful time for quiet reflection and encounter with the Lord who calls each one of us to renewal and conversion.
Here in the house, like in many of our parishes across the Archdiocese, the beautiful flowers and decorations, which once adorned the sanctuary space, have been removed: helping us to keep our eyes fixed on the altar and tabernacle.
In addition, one of the most noticeable things about experiencing Lent in the seminary, for me, is the absence of our usual preludes and postludes that our instrumentalists play on the organ during the course of the year. As an organist myself, I experience great joy in providing music that can help the men of the house enter more deeply into prayer. So, in my early years of study, I found this absence of music very difficult.
All I would notice was the clicking that the presider’s shoes would make as he walked up and down the aisle. However, as I continued to grow in my spirituality, I came to realize the beauty of the silence. I find that the silence allows me to concentrate more intently on the sacrifice God made for us on the Cross. In the silence, I am able to experience the presence of God in a new way. It allows me to lean into the heart of Jesus and allow His grace to transform me from the inside out.
In addition to the more solemn nature of our liturgy, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered to us every morning and what a beautiful blessing that is! Frequent confession gives all of us the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love embracing us as we are and calling us to conversion. To hear and receive the voice of God saying to us, “I love you and you are precious to me,” can be a life changing experience.
During this holy season, I encourage everyone to experience Lent as we do in the seminary: to focus intently on the Cross and come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so you too can embrace and experience that warmth of the Lord that comes to us in the silence.
May God Bless you this Lent and always,
Deacon Christian Scalo
Deacon Christian Scalo is a transitional deacon in formation at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange. His reflection first appeared in the Sacred Heart Society newsletter and was reprinted here with permission.
