It's easier to hear God in the sound of silence
+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
21 Nov 2004
Silence is golden. The world today does not seem to believe this. We are able to distract ourselves in ways undreamt of by previous generations; radios, walkman, T.V., internet.
This is not a suggestion that we should be silent and morose, when we are in company. Conversation is a wonderful gift and the interchange among family members and friends is one of the joys which makes life worth living. It is bad for families when most, or all, of the evening meals are eaten on trays sitting around the television set. The family table at meal times, except for breakfast, is the best place for an exchange of views between the generations.
Especially for those of us who are slow starters and without young children, breakfast is a time for the newspapers and silence. Winston Churchill claimed that his marriage was successful because he never ate breakfast with his wife, Clemmie. This is a bit extreme, but he had a point.
The other meal times should be completely different.
In the Judaeo-Christian tradition silence is commended. Before political correctness took over, the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes told us that a silent wife is a gift from God. Husbands who cannot stop talking are also a bit of a menace, like grunting and monosyllabic husband.
All the Christian spiritual teachers have encouraged silent prayer in our hearts, usually with our own words or repeating simple prayers. The silent reading of a small Scripture passage (lectio divina), pondering its meaning, is becoming more popular.
In the fifteenth century, St. Bernadine of Siena, a successful Franciscan preacher told the university students not to be like muddy water, where the movement stirs up the mud. When the waters are still, the mud falls to the bottom. He explained that a pinch of silence hurts no one.
A wonderful nun who was principal of a primary school, where I was chaplain, brought in a mandatory five minute period of silence each day. The children were not required to pray; simply to be still and silent.
It was a battle and many youngsters found it difficult. But it was worthwhile.
Silence is important because it gives us time to think. Being wise usually takes time. Impulsive people need to be reminded that a good decision will still be good in a week’s time. Time is often needed to control our emotions of anger, irritation, even hate.
Silence and calm are good for our blood pressure. They enable us to contemplate ourselves, because some are frightened of self knowledge, afraid they would be bored, finding in their heart of hearts only an empty woodchip curling around itself. Silence helps us repent and ask forgiveness from God and others.
Silence also leaves space for God. Long ago the Old Testament psalmist wrote “Be still and know that I am God”.
