The Sunday New York Times publishes a regular “Travel Section.” I love reading about all kind of exotic destinations even if my chances of getting to most of them are slim. I was surprised on Sunday 12/8 to find nestled in among stories about Changi Airport in Singapore, and Danang, the largest city in central Vietnam, and Italian cuisine in Paris of all places, another destination whose headline read: “My Week of Noble Silence.” What followed was a full-page story about a week-long meditation retreat held at the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, Massachusetts.

Together with the author’s experience of this retreat, it was noted that currently, 14.2 percent of adults in the United States are meditating. I knew immediately that to do this could be added the 40,000 people (worldwide) who participate in Contemplative Outreach and countless number of people from 120 different countries who are associated with John Main’s World Community of Christian Meditation. Of course, not to be forgotten are the 1,105 of you from 23 countries who participate in ICCD’s Contemplative Sitting Network. All this reminds us of those beautiful words from the prophet Isaiah: “The Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea.”

Let us take hope in the reality these numbers express. Even as things at times appear grim, when we sit in contemplative silence we are joined by countless others from around the world. Slowly and even imperceptibly to us at times, the tide is swelling. The transformation awaited by so many is happening. At the very heart of this season is the promise: “Nothing is impossible for God.”

Sit with hope and may the blessing of this season be yours.