If even Jesus, the Son of God, needed to be alone in the early morning, how can we expect to survive in the endless noise? We often say, “I’m too busy to pray,” but Jesus’ life tells us that silence is not a luxury, but a necessity. Because only in silence can we tune in and hear the voice that sustains our lives.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)
If even Jesus, the Son of God, needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we?
We live in an age filled with noise — endless notifications, constant messages, and the habit of scrolling without rest. In a world so loud and crowded, as we are faced with information overload, it becomes difficult to hear the gentle whisper of God. And yet, we are also afraid of silence, because silence forces us to face ourselves. Pope Benedict XVI once reminded us that Lent is like a “long spiritual retreat,” meant to help us re-enter ourselves and restore the impetus of our evangelical life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows us the way. He places His relationship with the Father above everything else. He deliberately sets aside the best time of the day to be alone in prayer, conversing with His Father. While it is still dark, He rises and goes to a deserted place to pray.
This tells us that listening to God requires discipline.
But in our busy world, we often pray only with whatever time is left over, and in doing so, we sacrifice both the time and the depth of prayer.
Sometimes prayer feels like a one-way monologue, as if God were silent. But the prophet Isaiah reminds us: God is the One who takes the initiative. He speaks, and His word always accomplishes its purpose.
The problem is never whether God is speaking — the real question is whether our hearts are like fertile soil ready to receive the rain.
So often, our hearts become hard and dry through anxiety, distraction, and habitual indifference. The rain falls, but it cannot soak in, it simply runs off. Lent is the season to loosen the soil, to break free from unhealthy patterns, so that God’s Word can finally sink deep into our hearts.
To keep God’s Word from returning empty, we must first turn down the volume of the world and step away from the channels that fill us with noise and restlessness. This is not an escape from reality. It is a search for the true channel that sustains us. Today, let us find our own “wilderness” — even if it is only ten intentional minutes without our phone, or a quiet corner in our home. This intentional silence echoes the spirit of poverty proclaimed in this year’s Special Jubilee of Saint Francis: a willingness to let go of our craving for information and entertainment, so that we may be satisfied with God alone.
God longs for a personal relationship with you. He has a unique word for your life, a word that will never return to Him empty.
Just as the Israelites received fresh manna each day in the desert, God’s Word is also given to us anew each day.
Let us simply open our hands and our hearts to receive it, trusting that God’s Word has the power to fulfill His plan in your life.
Let us listen to the Word of God once more:
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)
Reflection
What is the greatest source of “noise” in your life right now? How does it prevent you from hearing God’s voice?
Jesus rose before dawn and went off to a deserted place, placing His relationship with the Father above all His ministry. Where can you go today to be alone with God?
Are you willing to let go of your craving for information and entertainment, and be satisfied with God’s presence alone? Would you be willing to spend ten minutes each morning in silence with Him? What might stop you from doing so?
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for reminding me today of the importance of being with the Father in silence, and teaching me to offer Him my best, just as He has given His best to me.
Holy Spirit, lead me into the silent wilderness. Help me disconnect from the noise of the world so that I may reconnect with the Gospel of Christ. Grant me the discipline to create space today — not for loneliness, but for communion with the Father. Teach me to understand that in silence I am not empty or alone, but filled by You. Help me to enjoy and cherish this sacred “date” with You my Lord in the wilderness.
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Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” – Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” – Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
“Long Distance” by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria