RB Reflection: 7 June 2008

RB 7.56-58

The ninth step of humility is that a monk controls his tongue and remains silent, not speaking unless asked a question, for Scripture warns, In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (Prov 10:19), and, A talkative man goes about aimlessly on earth (Ps. 139(140):12).

Well, there you have it. Is it any wonder then that at Gethsemani Abbey we are known as "those noisy Lay Cistercians?" I do not quote that in order to accuse anyone, but to show how far all of us are from keeping the Rule of Silence. Why? Because we are human beings who must face up to the fact that we talk too much.

The secular world views quiet people with suspicion. Sometimes it's justified, especially if that person is the lawyer representing you in court, and sits there silently instead of defending you "with a flood of words." Yet, a court room and a spiritual life are not the same thing.

We chose to become Lay Cistercians, in part, because of the value that the monks and nuns place on silence. We come seeking that silence for our own lives, to internalize it, so we can go back out into the secular world with a quiet inner self.

These steps of humility are getting harder and harder to do. I have been, and sometimes still am, a person of many words. Through the blessing of God I have found that those "many words" can flow out in writing more often than out of my mouth. I have also discovered that the silence of the monastery is like an embrace which I am loathe to leave.

But cheer up! On June 10th will be the last day of Chapter 7 on Humility, The Chapter That Never Seems to End. May He bring us all to everlasting life.