The Pope addresses communication, silently

Last Sunday the Church celebrated the 46th World Communications Day. Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the occasion, which was released on the feast of St. Francis de Sales (the patron saint of writers), reminded those immersed in the world of communications that words must come with silence:

…silence and word: two aspects of communication which need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved.

Silence allows us to listen, Pope Benedict said, and it allows us to better understand ourselves. It leads to “deeper human relationships,” giving us the space to discern what is meaningful and what is sincere. Quiet reflection also allows us to discover links and justly evaluate topics, which gives way to more thoughtful opinions, rooted in wisdom.

Pope Benedict pointed out that silence can help us find the truth amongst search engines and social networks, where most people go for answers in the modern world. Communication today is often fueled by questions, he said, and:

Ultimately, this constant flow of questions demonstrates the restlessness of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser import, that can offer meaning and hope to their lives. Men and women cannot rest content with a superficial and unquestioning exchange of skeptical opinions and experiences of life – all of us are in search of truth and we share this profound yearning today more than ever…

Benedict did not condemn the use of social networks and applications as means of communication. The Pope, who has a Twitter account himself, said that these tools can help people make space for silence and prayer. They can also help us share the Word of God:

In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not neglect to cultivate their own inner lives.

Most importantly, silent contemplation on the Mystery of God often gives us the words to say:

Out of such contemplation springs forth, with all its inner power, the urgent sense of mission, the compelling obligation “to communicate that which we have seen and heard” so that all may be in communion with God (1 Jn 1:3). Silent contemplation immerses us in the source of that Love who directs us towards our neighbours so that we may feel their suffering and offer them the light of Christ, his message of life and his saving gift of the fullness of love.

Both silence and word, then, are essential to the New Evangelization. If we are to be good communicators, we must make space for God in silence and speak only the truth He inspires in us. Let us look to Mary, during her month of May, as a model of the New Evangelization who spoke little and pondered everything in her heart.