Have you ever been in a silent retreat? A silent retreat is not an unfamiliar term for seminarians studying for the priesthood. In silent retreat, we are often asked not to bring any electronic device like a computer, laptop, or iPhone. We are often asked not to bring any homework or schoolwork with us. Since it is a silent retreat, there is no talking or any media interference. Even though we do not verbally speak out loud nor listen to any media, our minds are still busy with all kinds of activities. In the silent retreat, we are asked to silence ourselves to experience the presence of God even in the single breath we take in. Some of us find it very difficult to engage in a week of silent retreat.

Why is that difficult to engage in a week of silent retreat? Our mind is like a highway and for some is like a freeway with a high volume of traffic. To clear this traffic, it has to have an exit. When all the exits are media, communicating, watching, etc., these are all blocked creating a jam in our mind if we cannot focus on freeing this jam by emptying ourselves and completely relaxing. Once we are fully emptied and relaxed, it is then where we experience the presence of God. When we pause for a moment or take a little break during our daily activity, we will find nourishment and energy for the rest of the day. God is always present in our lives, but are we present to him?

In today’s Gospel, a deaf man who had a speech impediment was brought to the Lord Jesus. Through his touch, the man’s ears opened to hear, and his tongue with a speech impediment was removed. Jesus healed his deafness and speech impediment. His deafness and his speech impediment were dismissed because he engaged in Jesus’ presence and allowed the Lord Jesus to touch him. Have you and I ever engaged in the presence of the Lord while we are attending Mass or attentively praying together with others in a community? Have you engaged or participated in the Eucharistic celebration and the prayer in your attending Mass and any prayer group? What is it that might distract you from engaging in the Mass or the prayer? Is it a person, a thing, or what? Can you deal with that person, thing, or whatever it is after Mass or after the prayer? Just as a deaf man who had a speech impediment engaged himself totally in the presence of the Lord that he was healed, have you and I been able to engage ourselves totally in the celebration of the Mass and our prayer? Have you and I needed a healing hand of God? The decision is yours.