Day 8 - Wednesday, March 8
The Sacrifice of Silence
Scripture: James 3:2-6 & 9-11; Exodus 14:14
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. [Remember], The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.

Poetry:  
Silent God
by Edwina Gateley
This is my prayer--
That, though I may not see,
I be aware
Of the Silent God
Who stands by me.
That, though I may not feel,
I be aware
Of the Mighty Love
Which doggedly follows me.
That, though I may not respond,
I be aware
That God--my Silent, Mighty God,
Waits each day.
Quietly, hopefully, persistently.
Waits each day and through each night
For me.
For me--alone.

MAJESTIC SILENCE
I was walking down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA, the other day when I noticed a large lavender poster plastered to the side of a building with this slogan: “Now is not the time to remain silent.” The word silent was in bold type. I assumed this message was a response to recent developments in American politics. Mudslinging, character assassination and vitriolic language epitomized an election that according to columnist David Brooks has been like a flash flood “that sweeps away the topsoil and both reveals and widens the chasms, crevices and cracks below.” The book of James indicates that the tongue is like an uncontrolled spark, a small fire that can destroy an entire forest. Ken Taylor’s emotive Smoke Monster speaks to the potential damage of such a flame.

Many of us are upset about the ways communication is currently being used in every stratum of society. Clearly there are moments to speak out as well as moments to remain silent, but where in the public arena can we see this appropriately modeled? I recently encountered the Academy Award nominated film, Hidden Figures. It had such a profound impact on me that I can’t stop thinking about it. It is the true story of three brilliant, self-confident, Christian, African American women who worked for the NASA facility in Langley, VA, in the early 60s. These women were indispensable to the success of America’s space program, but they were continually treated by their colleagues as people of little value that had to be tolerated. Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan had been conditioned from childhood to respect and defer to their white counterparts. Loyal and hard-working, they performed their jobs for the betterment of their communities and for the country. They were gracious to those who continually abused and oppressed them. On the rare occasions when these women did speak out, their words were like sharp, very carefully chosen arrows; they were words communicated in ways that resulted in positive change. In an age of lawsuits, maligning threats, and verbal intimidation we need the message Hidden Figures provides.

This message of turning the other cheek, is at the heart of Christ’s gospel. During his trial, Christ remained silent, unwilling to give many answers. “He was oppressed, He was afflicted, and yet He opened not his mouth.” “He never said a mumbling word,” as the old spiritual proclaims. Silence is often an admission of guilt but this was not the case with Christ. Christ was able to silently suffer because he had entrusted himself to God the Father. In his book, The Incomparable Christ, Oswald Sanders refers to this silence as “the majestic silence of Christ.” Sanders wrote, “Both by his silence and his words, Jesus made clear that it was Pilate and the Jews who were on trial before him, and not he before them.” Christ’s majestic silence with its piercing gaze, drove Pilate crazy. As a result, Pilate realized who Christ was and did not want to be implicated in his death. Author Ian Cron suggests that the silence of Christ is most like “the soft gaze of a mother who stares into the eyes of her newborn for the first time. In silence, God looks at us like that mother. It is a beautiful place of yielding to love.”

Control of the tongue is a sign of spiritual maturity, one that I have not yet mastered. I speak when I should be quiet and remain silent when I should speak out. Several years ago, at a friend’s wedding, I entered into an animated conversation with a colleague during the reception. In describing a current situation of which I was unaware and in my asking for more information this person paused and then slowly replied, “I’m not going to tell you because you’re a big gossip.” I was suddenly speechless, as if a giant gag had been shoved in my mouth. I had no idea what my coworker was talking about but in my shock I couldn’t bear to hear further accusations. Since that incident, I have more purposefully endeavored to embrace the sacrifice of silence when I’m tempted to say things that could potentially be damaging to others. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

PRAYER
O Lord, grant that I may greet this coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day, reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it will bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray and pray yourself in me.
Amen.

Barry Krammes 
CCCA Staff