Silence is a rare commodity nowadays. We are surrounded by sound from the time we wake up until the moment we fall asleep. Television, streaming music, the ping of various social media outlets. And that doesn’t even touch on the noise made by the people we live with!

Sometimes, we try to avoid silence. We don’t want to be alone with our own thoughts so we make sure that extra noise fills all the empty spaces.

During Lent, I try to make more space for silence. Maybe I don’t turn the television on when I get home from work or I avoid social media in the mornings or I get to Mass early just to sit in the quiet.

This Lent, try to take some time for silence — make an hour a week your goal. It doesn’t have to be all at once, especially to start. You may find that your quiet time becomes your favorite time of the day.