A few years ago I lived in a Monastery with a small group of monks. Complete silence at meal times. Conversations of necessity only. I was alone with my own thoughts. I left that week with a deep sense of fulfilment. Will this be how we will emerge after confinement?

Many of us do not know how to be still and to be quiet. Many of us are so accustomed to noise that we do not know what to do in silence. Many of us are afraid of confronting our own selves, our own thoughts, our own ideas. Many of us do not know how to let solitude enrich us.

For many, silence can be a dangerous spiral towards darkness. May we find our help in another. May we find engagement through a phone call, a virtual meeting or a spaced face to face essential meeting.

For others, once the bells and whistles have been turned off, find yourself.

There is community even in the silence. But before you enter community, be as reconciled with yourself as much as possible. Find the broken pieces you’ve been hiding in the closet. Take courage and bring those pieces to community so others can bring them together.

We’re all work in progress.
We’re all in need of each other.
We’re all in this together.