Episode 2542: Silencing the Noise and Living for God - Morning Episode

Today, we’ll explore a theme that touches on the urgency of our spiritual life and the need to cultivate interior silence, where we can truly encounter God. We’ll be reflecting on two powerful quotes one from St. Alphonsus Liguori, urging us to make the most of the time we have left, and another from an anonymous Carthusian monk, who offers us wisdom on how to return to that inner silence where God speaks to us. Along with this, we’ll look to the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, reminding us of the call to live with humility, gentleness, and patience as we strive to grow in holiness.
In a world filled with noise—both external and internal—it’s easy to lose sight of God’s presence and the call to live according to His will. But by quieting that noise and using our time wisely, we can rediscover the voice of God and live in a way that reflects the holiness to which we’ve all been called.
Let’s begin with the words of St. Alphonsus Liguori:
"Let us make up for lost time. Let us give to God the time that remains to us."
St. Alphonsus speaks to a reality that many of us can relate to. We often look back on our lives and realize that we’ve wasted time, distracted by worldly pursuits, sins, or simply by the chaos of life. But his message is not one of despair it’s a call to action. We may have wasted time in the past, but we still have the present moment. And that is what matters. We have time now to give to God, to offer Him our lives and serve Him with all that we have left.
It’s a powerful reminder that no matter where we are in life, God is always ready to receive our efforts to return to Him. We are never too late to seek holiness, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to live according to His will. What a gift it is that, in God’s mercy, the time that remains to us can still bear great fruit.
But how do we give God the time that remains to us when the world around us is so loud? This brings us to the wisdom of the anonymous Carthusian monk, who speaks about the need to suppress interior noise:
"God created your soul silent and keeps it inviolate at baptism. He filled it with Himself, nothing other than Himself... Noise invades, covering the soft voice of God."

This reflection touches on a deep truth about our spiritual lives. From the moment of our baptism, our souls are marked by God’s presence, and we are meant to live in union with Him. But over time, the noise of the world our memories, curiosities, and worries invades that interior silence. We become so preoccupied with distractions and anxieties that we drown out the voice of God.
This is why it’s so important to cultivate an interior life that prioritizes silence and stillness. In a world that constantly demands our attention, we must deliberately carve out space for God. This doesn’t mean we ignore our responsibilities or withdraw from the world, but it does mean we must be intentional about creating moments of quiet where we can listen to the soft voice of God speaking in our hearts.
One way to begin reclaiming this silence is by identifying the "noise generators" that the monk mentions memories, curiosity, and worries. Often, it’s our dwelling on the past, our anxious curiosity about the future, or our habitual worrying that keeps us from hearing God. When we can quiet these distractions through prayer, reflection, and trust in God’s providence, we create space for God’s peace to reign in our hearts.
St. Paul’s words in his letter to the Ephesians guide us in how to live once we’ve begun to cultivate that inner silence:
"I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Once we quiet the interior noise, we become more attuned to the voice of God, which leads us to live out our Christian calling with greater humility, patience, and love. Silence allows us to reflect on our interactions with others, encouraging us to be gentle and patient, bearing with others in love. This is the fruit of living in union with God our relationships with others are transformed by the peace we’ve found in Him.
Practical Application:
Give God Your Time:
Don’t dwell on the time that has passed. Instead, focus on how you can give the time you have left to God. Set aside moments throughout your day for prayer, reflection, and acts of service. Every moment can be an offering to God, whether it’s in prayer, work, or spending time with loved ones.
Cultivate Interior Silence:
Identify the sources of "noise" in your life, especially those that come from within such as worries about the future or regrets from the past. Begin to practice moments of silence where you can listen for the voice of God. This could be through silent prayer, Eucharistic adoration, or simply sitting in stillness, allowing your heart to rest in God’s presence.
Live in a Manner Worthy of Your Call:
As St. Paul urges, strive to live out your Christian calling with humility, gentleness, and patience. This will naturally flow from a life rooted in prayer and silence. When we are connected to God, our actions toward others become more loving, and we contribute to the unity of the Church and the world around us.
Conclusion:
In today’s episode, we’ve reflected on the importance of using the time we have left for God and cultivating the interior silence that allows us to hear His voice. St. Alphonsus Liguori reminds us that it’s never too late to begin giving our lives fully to God, and the anonymous Carthusian monk teaches us the necessity of quieting the noise that distracts us from Him. St. Paul’s words call us to live out our Christian vocation with humility and love, bearing with one another and striving for peace.
As we go forward, let us take these lessons to heart, making time for God in the present moment and seeking silence where His voice can be heard. It is in this quiet, faithful relationship with God that we find the strength to live out our Christian calling in the world.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the time that You have given us and for the opportunity to turn our hearts back to You. Help us to silence the noise within and around us so that we can hear Your voice clearly. Grant us the grace to live each moment for You, offering our lives as an act of love and service. May we live in humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love as You have called us to do. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.