Silence and Word

“A word is dead when it is said, some say
I say it just begins to live that day.”    Emily Dickinson

          Emily Dickenson, a master of words, would probably agree with St. Benedict’s advice that we should choose our words with care. Has anyone ever encouraged you: “Take heed of what you say”, or “Speak from your heart”?  How many times have you heard, “A wise man (woman) is known by the fewness of his (her) words”?

          St. Benedict understood the power of words and of silence.  He lived three  years as a hermit before his journey moved him along a communal path.  He was well grounded in silence; silence that leads to awareness and deepens communion with God, with others.

          In chapter 4 of his Rule, he refers to speech: “Never give a hollow greeting of peace….speak the truth with heart and tongue” (RB 4 2:25, 28), and,”Do not grumble or speak ill of others.”(RB 4 39-40) And again, “Guard your lips from harmful or deceptive speech”.  (RB 4 51)

          In chapter 6, Benedict speaks of restraint.”I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue.” (Ps. 38)   He condemns vulgarity and gossip and malicious speech.  But more to the point here, he upholds an environment in the monastery conducive to seeking God.

          In community, we know that it takes deliberate times of brief or prolonged practice to walk in the silence that leads to awareness.  This third week of lent our communal  reflection topic is speech.   May the Word live on and flower in each and all of us as we continue our journey!     Sr. Sharon Portwood, OSB