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I hope I do not disappoint readers by putting off the great Dominican Doctors of the Church until tomorrow. For two reasons, I am switching topics for today, Ash Wednesday. By the way, another of my Ash Wednesday meditations is on the blog of the Guild of Titus Brandsma and you can click on my blog roll on the side. Or here, http://guildofblessedtitus.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-feast-of-crown-of-thorns.html
Firstly, because of all the media attention on the Holy Father today, and the absolutely ridiculous blogsites and websites which are wallowing in false prophecies, mysteries, and an over-abundance of speculation, I am thrown back into some great thoughts from one of my Benedictine masters.
I cannot give his name, but rely on him for insights into silence. Today, of all days, we all need to think on the gravity of noise pollution affecting our minds.
I have said on two or three other posts that only when we are in contemplation can we hear the real Voice of God. If we do not tune our minds, hearts and souls to Christ almost constantly, we shall be swept into all types of evil.
Here are a few points from my Benedictine mentor. I shall write two posts on this subject today.
Firstly, to define two sins which comes from too much talking, cynicism and disillusionment, who must see these as serious sins. That young people and old think they can live in a critical attitude 24/7. either making fun of serious topics or being hyper-critical reveals a serious lack of discernment concerning their own souls.
Flippancy and fun cover up both a vacuous mind and one which has fallen into the adversarial spiritual realm of disillusionment and a lack of faith. Grumpiness is not a virtue, either, nor is a constant complaining of events or people.
Watch these tendencies in your own lives, please. It is better to be silent than negative. And negativity reveals a deeper sin, that of a lack of trust in Divine Providence.
Secondly, and this is repetition for which I have received negative comments on this blog, but which remains a truism, laughter and too much hilarity destroys the ability to be kind, serious, industrious, reflective, diligent, and solid in our characters.
As my mentor noted, "penthos", a Greek word and ideal, means a "salutary sadness". Why?
A sadness is good, which reveals our minds to us and brings about a humble state. This means that we are no longer proud and haughty.
Arrogance is loud and demeaning, But, truth about one's self brings a sobriety, a moderation in speech and action.
The over-active lack focus, and the over-talkative lack humility. St. Benedict is very clear on these aspects. Now, in the lay life, we do not have to be upset if our lives fall short of the Benedictine ideal. But, we must try, we must.
In all of the noise and speculations on line, there is little holiness of reflection one would expect.
Pope Benedict XVI shows us the way with his very few words. We do not need to read into his words. He is tired, and he desires more silence. He knows a young man can carry on into the hard times ahead. Period. Let us respect his discretion. Respect his reticence.
We do not need to go further than this. Do not look for signs or portents, as the political events tell us the state of the soul of the world, which is very, very sick.
We cannot solve problems merely by talk, talk, talk. Problems are solved in prayer and reflection.
I worked in administration for a short while in a government office. The amount of useless and contradictory meetings would astound taxpayers. I could not handle the purposeful deceit, the lack of humility the arrogance and the endless talking which did not solve problems, but on the contrary, created a smoke-screen of noise, words, and stupidity.
The holy ideals of seriousness, character,