Radio Maria England WORD FOR TODAY - Fr Toby - A Pregnant Silence in which the Word Became Flesh -
Jan 2, 2026
Fr Toby explores the profound silence that preceded the birth of the Word, highlighting Mary as a model of contemplation. He shares his personal experiences with silence and its impact on spiritual awareness. The discussion touches on the modern distractions that prevent us from embracing silence, while philosophical insights reveal silence as a powerful presence that reveals God's existence. Fr Toby emphasizes the importance of pausing in speech and prayer, suggesting that silence can transform and deepen our faith.
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Silence Prepares Reception Of The Word
- Mary was contemplating the Word of God in her heart when Gabriel invited her to bear the Word in her womb.
- Silence and interior contemplation prepared Mary to receive God's call and enabled the Word to speak to her.
Transformative Silent Retreat Experience
- Fr Toby recounts his first silent retreat as excruciating on day one but transformative by days six and seven.
- He returned feeling closest to God and annoyed by trivial small-talk after the retreat.
Noise As An Avoidance Habit
- We habitually fill our lives with background noise to avoid silence, even during study or exercise.
- This evasive habit prevents us from the interior stillness necessary to hear God or think deeply.