A few words in the silence

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A few words in the silence

May 25, 2014

Sixth Sunday of Easter

1 Peter 3:15

Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and respect.

St. Francis told his monks, “Preach the good news at all times.  If necessary, use words.” When early morning birdsong is drowned out by later morning traffic, that is when it’s time to cultivate a quiet mind.  The noise around me need not be reflected inside my head.

Margaret and I will finish our spiritual direction training next weekend; we’ll be commissioned on the seventh Sunday of Easter, 2014.  Yesterday we were going through our notes from the last two years.

Spiritual formation, a phrase that requires definition, can be called “the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others”  (Robert Mulholland, Invitation to a Journey). Spiritual direction is a form of companionship which brings that process to the foreground, into consciousness, and allows it room to move.

So here we are today, revisiting 1 Peter 3.  When our kids were growing up Christian in a strangely secular school system we took some time to examine evolution and creationism.  1 Peter 3:15 was the anchor verse for many creationists.  “Be prepared to give an answer.”

Twenty years later my answers simmer mostly in silence.  I prefer questions, really.  Answers tend to pin us down to an either/or when the questions seem more like both/ands.

Spiritual directors do not answer questions.  They listen.  They “hold the other person while that person listens for God’s voice in her life.”  There are three ears in the room, including God’s.  There are three voices, including God’s.  We listen.  To listen, we must cultivate a quiet mind.  To always be prepared, we must learn to be silent.

I think I’m getting this.  Very slowly, I think I’m getting this. The best gift I can give others is my own quiet mind.  Not the answers I’ve grown accustomed to giving in words, but something more peaceful, more hopeful, and more grateful.  As Gerald May calls it, “a larger good­ness, more aligned with the true treasure of our hearts.”

Gerald May says this can be driven by only one motive, “for the sake of love.”  Mulholland calls it “for the sake of others.”  Jesus was silent, listened, and spoke for the sake of others.  He calls us to his path, to be silent, listen and finally sometimes speak for the sake of others.

This changes the way I live my life, Lord, this listening.  Suddenly I see and hear multitudes of your creatures, your children, every one made in your image.  The facets of your image are countless and stunningly beautiful.  You make us for rejoicing in this community of beauty reflected directly from you.  When we do, I think it pleases you.   Everything is good.  Your eyes glisten and sparkle and shine with love.

 http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1292