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In Christianity, the word of God is used in community celebration, instruction and personal formation. The word of God carries the power of God to transform human existence in accordance with the mind and heart of Christ. The word of God has a central role in the liturgy of the Church, especially in the Eucharist, and the Divine Office. Christians - especially monastics humbly submit to the vivifying action of the Spirit in reading the word of God in lectio divina: sacred reading of scripture, meditative reflection, personal response in prayer, and - when all words cease - experiencing God's presence in silent contemplation. In the Church today there are new lay movements that read the word of God in prayerful sharing and put it into practice in daily life. Here too there is the use of silence to deepen awareness of, and intimacy with God within. Also, in living the word of God with others, one is called to love them by silencing one's mind and heart in order to be living fully for others.
*WORD AND SILENCE IN BUDDHIST AND CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS:
Second Buddhist-Christian Colloquium Concluding Statement
Wisdom Story
Theophilus of Holy Memory, Bishop of Alexandria, traveled to Scetis. The brethren, after convening, said to Abba Pambo, "Say a word or two to the Bishop, that his soul may be edified in this place." The old man said, "If my silence does not edify him, there is no hope that my words will edify him."
Comments
The person who cannot listen to the Word of Life in the reverent Quiet will hear little of It through the most reverent of words. He or she may hear much of ideas of that Word, but the person will not hear much of the Word. This is a pervasive problem in the Church, more so among clergypersons than laity, for clergypersons claim to be sharers of the Word of Life above and for laity, at least in most traditions.
We vastly overestimate the value of words; we vastly underestimate the power of Silence. God does not speak directly to anyone through words. No. Do you think God has a mouth? Does God use English? Spanish? Latin? Then, why do we adore religious words so, in comparison to Silence, and talk so much on religious matters ~ as though we know so much ~ and do not balance words with the Heart listening in quietude? That listening, indeed, may often, indeed usually, be only an act of being open to and with the Divine One.
Possibly, words give us a sense of control, even a subtle sensation of manipulation of the Divine. Could it be we are afraid of what we might hear if we were silent internally, inwardly quiet enough for the Word to become clear to our otherwise oft-clouded mind ~ even clouded with religious opinions and moral ideals? And are present-day "spiritual gurus" and many megga-church clergypersons any different, who make so much money producing a plethora of words with the technology of articulate rhetoric and give supposed answers to every person's heartfelt longings?
Possibly, the only hope to keep ourselves out of captivity to so much worded nonsense that bombards us from all directions, even from persons who claim to have a word from God, is some practice of Silence. Maybe, the reason most of the Church is not urged to practice Silence as a means of grace is that even most of us among the clergy really do not want to listen to the Word, but we would rather listen to words supposedly about the Word.
Reflection
The opening saying has: "Here too there is the use of silence to deepen awareness of, and intimacy with God within." How does Silence do this in our relationship with the Divine One?
The opening saying has: "Also, in living the word of God with others, one is called to love them by silencing one's mind and heart in order to be living fully for others." How does Silence help in living for others?
What role does Silence play in your life? Your religious devotion? Your service to others?
*Opening quote from www.urbandharma.org . Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 18 November 1998, page 10. L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See.
For Brian's on-line audio sermons, go to www.wherethelightshines.org and select Pastor's Corner; on the following page is his weekly sermons given at Christ United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL.
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For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
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