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Silence in the Age of AI

  • 3 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on Artificial Intelligence reminds us not to fear technology, but to remain deeply human in how we live and relate.


The Pope writes:

“Technology is not inherently evil.”

But he also warns that:

“To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity.”

As AI develops rapidly—with AGI possibly coming sooner than many expect—the contemplative path becomes even more important. In a noisy world of algorithms, endless information, fear, distraction, and ego... Christ calls us back to silence.


The Desert Fathers, John Main, and Thomas Keating all remind us that the deepest battle is not “out there,” but within the human heart.


Without silence:

  • Ego grows louder

  • Fear increases

  • Reactions replace wisdom

  • Technology can begin shaping us more than God does


But in silence:

  • The false self softens

  • Compassion grows

  • Discernment deepens

  • We become more present to God and others


Perhaps one opportunity of AI and AGI is this: if technology frees more of our time, we can choose not merely more consumption or distraction, but more presence with God and others. It can become an invitation to live more deeply the 8 Habits of Effective Christian Living:


  • Habit 1: Daily Prayer (Mk 1:35)

  • Habit 2: Daily Bible Reading (1 Sam 3:10)

  • Habit 3: Loving Fellowship (Mt 22:37-40)

  • Habit 4: Loving Service (Mt 20:28)

  • Habit 5: Faith Sharing (Mt 28:19-20)

  • Habit 6: Christian Meditation (Ps 46:10)

  • Habit 7: Mindful Living (1 Th 5:16-18)

  • Habit 8: Healthy Lifestyle (1 Cor 6:19-20)


As St. John says:

“We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Centering Prayer and Christian Meditation are not escapes from the modern world. They are ways of becoming more grounded, loving, and awake within it.


Silence is not empty. It is consent to God’s presence and action within us.


Fr. Paul Cheong shared in his homily on 8 March 2026 that Christian meditation is:

“Essential, not an option.”

This echoes Pope Francis’ Catechesis on Prayer (28 April 2021):

“It is a need for everyone. We all need to meditate… the real aim is the encounter with Jesus.”

Perhaps this becomes even more essential in a post-AGI world. As technology grows more powerful, human beings will need even deeper silence, discernment, wisdom, compassion, and communion with God.


We warmly invite everyone to join our Tuesday SFA Meditation Group. Come not only for meditation, but also for support, fellowship, encouragement, and community on the contemplative journey. Bring a friend, spouse, child, colleague, or family member.


In an age of AI, silence may become one of the most important Christian practices for preserving wisdom, love, humanity, and peace.




 
 
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