Over the past three or so weeks, I have been writing about silence in the Liturgy. I will continue with that theme today. It has been my intention to systematically go through the Liturgy and talk about moments of silence. Last week in covering this topic, I was able to talk about silence after the time of the consecration in which both the Eucharist and the Precious Blood are elevated.
So that next moment of silence comes at the time for communion. This will be a greater amount of silence for us now. Beginning in Advent, we will just say the Communion Antiphon instead of singing the song for Communion. The intention is to foster deeper Communion with the Trinity. On the way to Communion the silence can be used to prepare ourselves to receive our Lord. It is a time to tell the Lord like we just prayed, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” What is on our heart and mind as we come to receive Him? We should acknowledge those thoughts, feelings, and desires that are there. We should be honest with ourselves. When we notice these things we should than relate them to the Lord. (Yes, the Lord knows our thoughts, but He will not go where He is not invited. We have to will those things over to Him in order to allow Him into that part of our life). Silence on the way to Communion helps to prepare us to receive Him and all that He wants to give us. God has so much more to give each of us. Maybe the Lord just simply wants to tell us that we are loved and that we are lovable, instead of the lie that we have believed all these years. Silence at Communion allows us to hear Him speak into our hearts. And then when we receive His Body and His Precious Blood we will be able to say, AMEN!!! Just a note, we should say Amen like we mean it, not yelling it or really loud, but at a normal tone of voice with belief.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault