Holy Rule for January 24
11 views
Skip to first unread message
St. Mary's Monastery
Jan 23, 2026, 4:37:27 PMJan 23
to holyrule
+PAX
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 24, May 25, September 24
Chapter 6: On the Spirit of Silence
Let us do what the Prophet says: "I said, 'I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth...' I was mute and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps.38:2-3). Here the Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words.
Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it be for good, holy edifying conversation; for it is written, "In much speaking you will not escape sin" (Prov. 10:19), and in another place, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). For speaking and teaching belong to the mistress; the disciple's part is to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence. But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter, these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open her mouth.
REFLECTION
Ever wonder why speech is considered so dangerous? Because it can build up the false self, the very false self that we are trying to tear down with our other hand. Our arms can easily reach to the shoulders of that false self, patting it on the back and congratulating it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The false self will grow and thrive badly enough on its own. Why on earth would we wish to offer it any mindless assistance? There is also the danger that our speech can hurt others, sometimes scarring them for many years or for life.
Let me speak for myself, here. Probably much of what comes out of my mouth other than prayer is unnecessary. A further amount I am afraid to even guess at is downright harmful to me. I don't imagine I am terribly far from average in this respect. And talk about damage from second-hand speech. There are LOTS of things I wish I had never, ever heard. Wow, if only we would guard silence as zealously as smoke-free zones. Wouldn't that be right in line with fearing that which can destroy the soul more than that which kills the body alone? I seem to recall Someone having something to say along those lines.
We aren't Trappists in the world. We cannot control our spaces as if they were monasteries, but we can and must control our own mouths. Total silence would likely be read as uncaring rudeness, but what about some alternative forms of silence? What if one resolved to speak not at all, all day, except in words of kindness, mercy or support, to never open one's mouth except to affirm.
Pursue that line of thinking, be creative. Fast for a week from contention and see what happens. Try a day of not talking at all about yourself. Try a whole day of asking others about themselves! One way or another, increase the levels of good one can do with speech and diminish those of harm.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Prov. 18:21)"
Not just the tongue, folks, but the keyboard and any other writing instrument, too! Genuine inner peace cannot coexist with meanness of thought, word or deed. Genuine inner peace can be held only in a field of gentleness and deep, tender mercy!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 24, May 25, September 24
Chapter 6: On the Spirit of Silence
Let us do what the Prophet says: "I said, 'I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth...' I was mute and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps.38:2-3). Here the Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words.
Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it be for good, holy edifying conversation; for it is written, "In much speaking you will not escape sin" (Prov. 10:19), and in another place, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). For speaking and teaching belong to the mistress; the disciple's part is to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence. But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter, these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open her mouth.
REFLECTION
Ever wonder why speech is considered so dangerous? Because it can build up the false self, the very false self that we are trying to tear down with our other hand. Our arms can easily reach to the shoulders of that false self, patting it on the back and congratulating it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The false self will grow and thrive badly enough on its own. Why on earth would we wish to offer it any mindless assistance? There is also the danger that our speech can hurt others, sometimes scarring them for many years or for life.
Let me speak for myself, here. Probably much of what comes out of my mouth other than prayer is unnecessary. A further amount I am afraid to even guess at is downright harmful to me. I don't imagine I am terribly far from average in this respect. And talk about damage from second-hand speech. There are LOTS of things I wish I had never, ever heard. Wow, if only we would guard silence as zealously as smoke-free zones. Wouldn't that be right in line with fearing that which can destroy the soul more than that which kills the body alone? I seem to recall Someone having something to say along those lines.
We aren't Trappists in the world. We cannot control our spaces as if they were monasteries, but we can and must control our own mouths. Total silence would likely be read as uncaring rudeness, but what about some alternative forms of silence? What if one resolved to speak not at all, all day, except in words of kindness, mercy or support, to never open one's mouth except to affirm.
Pursue that line of thinking, be creative. Fast for a week from contention and see what happens. Try a day of not talking at all about yourself. Try a whole day of asking others about themselves! One way or another, increase the levels of good one can do with speech and diminish those of harm.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Prov. 18:21)"
Not just the tongue, folks, but the keyboard and any other writing instrument, too! Genuine inner peace cannot coexist with meanness of thought, word or deed. Genuine inner peace can be held only in a field of gentleness and deep, tender mercy!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages