Silence is the longest precept in the Rule. For Carmelites this precept of silence is seen as a means for recollection, not as penance. It is a privative, though a happy one because it is what makes possible our union with God.
Prayer - Silence - Solitude
These three things go together and complement each other.
By being silent one is able to stay away the evils that come about in our abuse of words. What do we have to talk about? What is it that we communicate when we speak? Ideas?
No. Actually, most of what we communicate are images and impressions - mostly foolishness and nonsense. But God gave us the gift of speech to communicate ideas. In reality the more we speak the more our interior recollection is clouded. Words which do not express ideas will only manifest matter. Matter just makes dust! While on the contrary, silence makes for recollection.
For St. John of the Cross to be silent is to be seen in terms of contemplation.
“The Father spoke one Word, which was his Son, and this Word he speaks always in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul," (Sayings of Light and Love #100)
Silence is difficult and poorly observed. This we can all agree. It costs.
Observe silence. During the day let’s wrap ourselves in silence:
speak little think little
The speak little I can do, it's the think little that seems to be impossible!
ReplyDeleteI think silence is always a beautiful reflection and we come to realize how empty many of our words are. Thanks for sharing and for the reminder.~Theresa
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