SIMPLE40 - Day 32 - Quiet Time
- Katie Donahue
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
In contemplating stability and the Eucharist the last few days, I feel led to next uncover a bit about the importance of silence in cultivating a life of simplicity. The Eucharist, simplicity and silence seem to go together in a powerful way.
First, let's recall our definition of simplicity to bring it back to the front of our minds as we double down on our efforts to make these last 8 days of Lent fruitful.
Simplicity is a spiritual discipline that trains the soul
to fulfill its God-given mission.
Over the course of Lent, you have likely learned a great deal...not just about simplicity as a concept, but about your own heart, your tendencies, your strengths, and the places where growth is needed. But now is not the time to overanalyze or strive to piece it all together. Instead, we are invited to gather all of it, everything we have noticed, struggled with, or discovered, and place it at the foot of the Cross. And then… to be still and silent.
There is nothing littler, meeker, or more silent than Christ present in the Host.
The little piece of bread embodies the humility and perfect silence of God, his tenderness and his love for us.
~Cardinal Robert Sarah
This is where the invitation deepens: not to understand this mystery fully, but to trust it.
Jesus Himself lived this rhythm. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him stepping away from the crowds, withdrawing from the noise and the constant demands, choosing solitude and silence so that He could be with the Father. These moments were not secondary to His mission, they were essential to it. In silence, He remained rooted, He received strength, and He stayed aligned with the will of the Father.
You and I are being invited into that same rhythm.
And yet, silence can feel uncomfortable, even unfamiliar, because our world is filled with constant noise. There is always something to listen to, respond to, or consume.
In the midst of the noise and distractions of daily life, it can be difficult to hear the still, small voice of God speaking to you.
Our world no longer hears God because it is constantly speaking at a devastating speed and volume, in order to say nothing. Modern civilization does not know how to be quiet. It holds forth in an unending monologue.
~Cardinal Robert Sarah
We can easily spend an entire day surrounded by noise and still feel strangely empty.
That is why choosing silence, even in small ways, is so powerful. It creates space to notice, to listen, and to become aware of God’s presence in a way that is often drowned out by distraction.
In silence, things begin to surface. You may notice where your heart feels restless, where you are holding on too tightly, or where God is gently inviting you to go deeper. But alongside that awareness comes something else: a quiet assurance that He is near, that He has been present all along, and that you are not navigating this alone.
There are many positive effects (on your mental health and brain capacity) of even just a few minutes of intentional, prayerful silence each day...
Stimulates brain cells.
Relieves stress.
Promotes mindfulness.
Promotes self-awareness and clarity.
Boosts creativity.
Improves concentration, focus and decision making.
Improves sleep and heart health.
Improves memory.
So as we continue forward, let today be an invitation to begin again in a very simple way. Before you start your day, before you move into your next task, or even in the middle of an ordinary moment, pause and enter into silence. Let it be unhurried. Let it be enough.
In that quiet space, allow yourself to listen and trust that God is there.
Because He is.
spiritual
Bookending your day in prayer sets the tone for your day and helps keep your heart on Christ throughout the day, no matter how the wind blows. Keep this time precious and incorporate silence if you have not already.
Prayer for Silence
Lord, you come to me in the silence.
The silence of the early morning, the late night, and the ordinary still moments in the day.
Teach me the secret of silence and drawing close to you so that you can make your mark on my soul, transforming my life.
Let these words in this prayer move me to stillness and a falling quietly into your loving gaze.
AMEN
Patience, prayer, and silence - these are what give strength to the soul. ~St. Faustina
self
In a world that constantly bombards you with information and noise, silence provides a respite from all of it and helps you to focus on what is truly important. By creating intentional spaces of silence in your life, you can learn to let go of the distractions that pull you away from God and the things that matter most. This naturally leads to deeper connections with your family and friends. When you learn to be comfortable with silence, you create space for others to be themselves and share what is on their hearts.
In an effort to become comfortable with silence, set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier than normal. Be heroic and actually get up, using the extra time for silence, solitude and prayer.
service
Last week, I shared this video with Fr. Mike Schmitz:
He talks about determining what each room in your house is used for and either adding or removing things to bring it to its purpose. So, today I am sharing my "Room Analysis" with you so you can print it out and use it to help you simplify and curate comfortable, meaningful spaces in your home. As you go about analyzing the rooms in your home, it is important to share your vision with your family and discuss the importance of giving everything a place to be "put away". (This is part of my "Integrated Rule of Life" course which consists primarily in the examination of your vocation, the duties it entails, and the development of a schedule/rule for fulfilling these responsibilities in a consistent and orderly way.)
simple recipe
Cod with Pistachio Cilantro Pesto
Prepare ahead for your Friday meal. I love trying different vegetarian and seafood recipes. This one packs a lot of flavor and comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
6 cod fillets
salt
pepper
good quality olive oil
30 grape tomatoes, sliced in half
For the Pesto:
2 cups cilantro, packed
1/2 cup salted, shelled pistachios
2 cloves garlic
1 large lemon, juiced
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2/3 cup (+or-) good quality olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Pat the fish fillets dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the cod is baking, prepare the pesto. Place the cilantro, pistachios and garlic in a food processor and pulse about 20 times. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
After 20 minutes, check the cod for doneness. It should flake easily with a fork. Remove from the oven and arrange on a serving plate. Top each fillet with the pesto and sprinkle the sliced tomatoes over all. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and more parmesan if you like. This is delicious as is, but if you like a base for your fish, try serving over a bed of spinach, rice or quinoa.
Thank you for following along!
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