Silence is the Sound of God

The following is taken from Fr Augustine’s notes for homilies preached during Lent

We can become occupied with the prayer, fasting and almsgiving side of Lent.  What about silence?

There is nothing in the world which resembles God so much as silence.  Silence is the sound of God.

[During Lent], how much time are you going to give to sitting in silence before God, either at home or in Church… just sitting, waiting and doubtless doing battle with endless distraction, just as Jesus had to do in the wilderness?

Silence is the entry into the realm of God; into eternal life.  There is a huge silence inside each one of us beckoning us into itself.  If we listen to it, it can begin to teach us the language of heaven.

Silence is the language that is infinitely deeper, more far-reaching, more understanding, more compassionate and more eternal than any other language.

How far do we take silence into our Lenten observances?

In heaven we will wholly, intimately and ecstatically hold each other in silence, in perfect understanding.  Words for all their value are part of the reason why we cannot do this already.  Words divide us as much as they unite.  There is a deeper connection in silence. Lovers already know this. Quakers also understand this as can be seen by  their approach to contemplative prayer.

St John of the Cross says, learn to understand more, by not understanding, than by understanding.

Silence does speak louder than words and more deeply.  We experience this already in many different ways.  When we are separated by distance or death from loved ones, we can still be with them in silence.  When we are divided from other sincere people by misunderstanding, silence can provide the space when we can still be together.  This is true for different Christian denominations.  When we stand helpless before another’s suffering, silence can be the best way of expressing our sympathy, when words won’t come or seem totally inadequate.

When we have sinned and nothing can restore things to what they were, in silence a deep word can speak and let us know that in the end all things shall be well.

There is nothing in the world which resembles God so much as silence.  It is the language of heaven and it’s already deep inside beckoning us, inviting us to deeper intimacy with everything.