+PAX Prayers for Mark, seeking to discern his next move in accord with Gods Will. Prayers for Ordice, a lot of pain from a crack or break in his mid-back. Seeing doctor Wednesday for more information and options. Prayers for the eternal rest of Franks parents, and for Frank and all who mourn them. Prayers for Tina and her husband and sons, especially for her husbands work and for long life and prosperity for them all. Lord, help us all as You know and will. Gods will is best. All is mercy and grace. God is never absent, praise Him! Thanks so much. JL January 24, May 25, September 24 Chapter 6: On the Spirit of Silence Let us do what the Prophet says: I said, I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth. I was mute and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things (Ps. 38:2-3). Here the Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words. Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it be for good, holy edifying conversation; for it is written, In much speaking you will not escape sin (Prov. 10:19), and in another place, Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). For speaking and teaching belong to the mistress; the disciples part is to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence. But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter, these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open her mouth. REFLECTION Ever wonder why speech is considered so dangerous? Because it can build up the false self, the very false self that we are trying to tear down with our other hand. Our arms can easily reach to the shoulders of that false self, patting it on the back and congratulating it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The false self will grow and thrive badly enough on its own. Why on earth would we wish to offer it any mindless assistance? Let me speak for myself, here. Probably 90% of what comes out of my mouth other than prayer is unnecessary. A further percentage I am afraid to even stab at is downright harmful to me. I dont imagine I am terribly far from average in this respect. And talk about damage from second-hand speech. There are LOTS of things I wish I had never, ever heard. Wow, if only we would guard silence as zealously as smoke- free zones. Wouldnt that be right in line with fearing that which can destroy the soul more than that which kills the body alone? I seem to recall Someone having something to say along those lines. We arent Trappists in the world. We cannot control our spaces as if they were monasteries, but we can and must control our own mouths. Total silence would likely be read as uncaring rudeness, but what about some alternative forms of silence? What if one resolved to speak not at all, all day, except in words of kindness, mercy or support, to never open ones mouth except to affirm. Now theres a thought. Could I have a seat in the no-griping section, please? Pursue that line of thinking, be creative. Fast for a week from contention and see what happens. Try a day of not talking at all about yourself. Try a whole day of asking others about themselves! One way or another, increase the levels of good one can do with speech and diminish those of harm. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21) Not just the tongue, folks, but the keyboard and any other writing instrument, too! Genuine inner peace cannot coexist with meanness of thought, word or deed. Genuine inner peace can be held only in a field of gentleness and deep, tender mercy! Love and prayers, Jerome, OSB stmarysmonastery.org Petersham, MA
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:36:49 +0000
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