Silence is golden.  We have the right to remain so.  We are advised to do this to our fears. We are cautioned to observe it, or else! Libraries, sanctuaries, school halls all call for it most of the time.

Silence.

It has been scientifically proven that most people, after just two minutes of complete silence and stillness,  begin to lose our cotton-picking minds. Most of us are preconditioned to having some kind of ambient noise around us at all times. Many people always have the T.V. on in their homes, whether or not they are actually watching it. I have to have music on when I drive. I skip stations as soon as talking comes on, or I put in a CD.  There are techniques – Zen, tai chi, transcendental meditation – to tune out the distracting sounds. Mystical traditions, spiritual exercises, monasticism – whatever works.

Silence can be crushing – just ask Isaiah. To some, silence is akin to death. Maybe that is why when someone is dying, the last sense to go is hearing. Maybe it is in that particular silence that we encounter the living, active God. In trying to draw closer to God, we do need times of quiet reflection. Even in a worship service (remember the two-minute barrier?), it can be a challenge. Sometimes the best response to personal attacks is silence. My Dad taught me that when the urge is to fight back, further antagonizing the assailant, silence and ignoring can be tremendously disarming! If they don’t have an “audience”, eventually they will give up.

I pray for you, blog readers, with great joy and thanksgiving. I also pray that you will avail yourselves of the quiet, silent moments. Before or during the Sacrament of the Lord’s Table in congregations of the (ahem) Lutheran persuasion, we occasionally sing the following hymn as we prepare to encounter the living Christ:

Now the silence, Now the peace, Now the empty hands uplifted
Now the kneeling, Now the plea , Now the Father’s arms in welcome
Now the hearing, Now the pow’r, Now the vessel brimmed for pouring
Now the body, Now the blood,  Now the joyful celebration
Now the wedding, Now the songs,  Now the heart forgiven leaping
Now the Spirit’s visitation,  Now the Son’s epiphany
Now the Father’s blessing
Now  Now  Now

In the silence of your hearts, may you feel and know the unconditional love God has for you.
Pastor Art