Fr. James Martin, SJ: Silence as the Bridge to Christ, the Self and the “Other” (Episode 13)
March 7, 2018
New York Times bestselling author Fr. James Martin, SJ looks at silence in the light of Ignatian spirituality.
Fr. James Martin, SJ is the author of numerous books as well as an editor at America magazine. A Jesuit priest, Fr. James has emerged as one of the leading voices for Ignatian spirituality — and Catholicism in general — for our time. He has also become a lightning rod for some segments of the Catholic world — his gentle call for greater dialogue between the Catholic Church and LGBT Catholics has led to social media attacks along with calls for boycotts and cancellations of Fr. Martin's speaking engagements. Yet he himself remains undeterred, seeking to be a voice for hope and reconciliation in our troubled world.
"We've developed this culture of noise and distraction so much, that when people are alone with their thoughts or alone with silence, it's frightening." — James Martin, SJ
The Encountering Silence team met Fr. James Martin when he presided at a Mass for a Pax Romana meeting in New York last December that the three of us attended. Several weeks later the four of us gathered via Skype for a rich conversation exploring the connections between silence, Ignatian spirituality, prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, interspirituality and interfaith dialogue, and how writing (and revising) his book Building a Bridge has made a difference in his own ministry. Fr. James also muses on the essential connections between silence, relationship, and God — and how silence and prayer can help us to overcome fear of "the other."
Our phones — a friend of mine the other day called them "weapons of mass distraction." — James Martin, SJ
Incidentally, when we recorded this episode, the release date for the paperback edition of Building a Bridge was scheduled for March 13, 2018. Subsequently, the publisher moved up the release date one week — so the book is available now.
God enjoyed silence when God was on the earth with us.
— Fr. James Martin, SJ
The verse from Ecclesiastes that Carl mentions is Ecclesiastes 3:11: "God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart..." (New International Version)
In terms of prayer and silence, I participate in it ultimately to be in a deeper relationship with God... I meet God in silence, and God speaks to me in silence... God always speaks to me in silence, I just need to be paying attention. — Fr. James Martin, SJ
Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode:
James Martin, Jesus: A Pilgrimage
James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything
James Martin, Building a Bridge (revised/expanded edition)
Ignatius of Loyola, Personal Writings
Martin Scorses (Dir.), Silence
James Martin, Becoming Who You Are
Bernard of Clairvaux, The Letters
Elizabeth A. Johnson, Quest for the Living God
Martin Buber, I and Thou
Henri Nouwen, Reaching Out
William Johnston, The Still Point
Thomas G. Hand, Always a Pilgrim
Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, Living in the New Consciousness
Robert Kennedy, Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit
Francis X. Clooney, Comparative Theology: Deep Learning Across Religious Borders
Teresa of Ávila, The Book of My Life
John of the Cross, Collected Works
Thomas Merton, Essential Writings
Bede Griffiths, Essential Writings
Anthony De Mello, Selected Writings
Bobby Karle, Ignatian Yoga
Vatican Council II, Nostra Aetate
Richard Rohr, The Naked Now
Pope Francis, Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home
Pope John Paul II, In God's Hands
Lawrence Kohlberg, The Philosophy of Moral Development
Carol Gilligan, In a Different Voice
Maggie Ross, Writing the Icon of the Heart
Julian of Norwich, Showings
Joyce Rupp, Fragments of Your Ancient Name
Irene Zimmerman, Incarnation
Episode 13: Silence as the Bridge to Christ, the Self and the "Other": A Conversation with Father James Martin, SJ
Hosted by: Kevin Johnson
With: Carl McColman and Cassidy Hall
Guest: Father James Martin, SJ
Date Recorded: January 29, 2018