Chapter 6: Cherishing silence in the monastery
I am guarded about the way I speak and have accepted silence in humility refraining even from words that are good. (From Ch. 6 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
As important as "good communication" is, I think it's also important to realize the inadequacies of human communication, and to bear some situations in a silent spirit of patience and kindness.
“But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter,
ReplyDeletethese we condemn everywhere . . .”. At first reading I react negatively to Benedict’s strong words. What does this have to do with silence? Does a monk have to be a killjoy? What ‘s wrong with enjoying a good laugh? On reflection, however, I realize how much of the laughter my tongue can provoke so often comes at the expense of another. Sarcasm, after all, does mean, literally, “to tear the flesh”. In a real sense I am practicing a form of sadism when I “get under someone’s skin”. This is far, Abba, from the gentle joy of being with you, of being your little one, in silence and peace.