The Silence of God

THE SILENCE OF GOD
by Arnold C. Biago, SVD
Homily delivered on the Feast of Our Lady of Consolation, September 4, 2007 for the Sisters of Augustinian Recollects

Have you heard about the SILENCE OF GOD!

The PDI yesterday runs a news item about Mother Theresa with the following heading, “She suffered from the Silence of God” referring to the comment made by Pope Benedict concerning the sentiment the saintly nun identified by a book. The book, about to be released tomorrow, claimed that Mother Theresa “was deeply tormented about her faith and suffered periods of doubt about God”. On this the Pope comments that this is not unusual, “All believers know about the Silence of God.” Thus, “Even Mother Theresa, with all her charity and work of faith suffered from the Silence of God.”

What do we mean really by “the Silence of God.” Non-believers usually argue against faith in God because of the many pains, losses and violence that people are made to suffer and endure in this world. If God is good and loving, how come he allows the school children of Ginsuagon, Leyte to be buried by the landslide, the thousands of people to die of tsunami and earthquake, of many innocent people who die everyday for no reason at all. And God has no reply for all these.

In Auschwitz concentration camps, a rabbi was among those spared from the Gas chamber and one prisoner confronted him: “Rabbi, where is God now that our people are being exterminated, when even our children are led to die of poison gas?” The Rabbi was silent for a while and said, “God is there among those children, God is with those who are led to the gallows of death.”

The point is, if at times we feel abandoned by God, when God is silent, he is with us, also suffering. This is what Jesus did. He live among us, and shared with our pains and suffering. Jesus is God who underwent the scourging; he carried the cross, and was nailed on it. The Silence of God is God’s share and participation in our sufferings. With Jesus Christ’s passion and death, our experiences of pain and suffering are given new meaning. It is in this way that we can also look at Mary, as our Lady of Consolation. At the foot of the cross, the sight of Jesus hanging on the cross, gasping for his last breath, and struggling to say the words, “Woman, behold your son.” “Behold your mother,” is no easy sight to behold. Mother Theresa and many of us would have no other experience but the silence of God. But we have Mary, who has the heart to see at all times God’s hands constantly at work whose mysterious ways she never doubted but rather fully trusted. In Mary’s famous words, “let it be done to me according to your Word.” Certainly, Mary is our lady of consolation who by her undivided trust heard of the divine voice even in the silence of God.

Aside from the Gospel, the other readings too reorient our understanding of suffering. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, the experience of difficulties is seen as the sign of the imminent coming of the Lord whose inauguration brings consolation, relief and new opportunities. While in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul informs them of his difficult experiences not to sadden them but to let them know how much he love them, meaning, no amount of pain can stop Paul from loving the Corinthian Church.

In our practice of faith, the practical advice we often heard has a grain of truth in it: “we cannot solve a problem by running away it.” In moments we doubt our faith, we are reminded to Trust more and more in God. Doubt is not resolved by abandoning our faith.

22nd Sunday of ORDINARY Time C

WISDOM IN HUMILITY, A RECOGNITION OF OUR SHARED HUMANITY

Fr. Bel San Luis tells the story of a Dog and his 2 duck friends. The ducks heard of their dor friend's desire to see the north pole and they invited them to come with them. So they offered him to come along. So the ducks tied a rope on their beak and asked the dog to bite and hung in between of them while they fly. The dog agreed with the idea and they set on a journey. On their way, a man saw the spectacular sight and said, "Wow, what an incredible sight, whose idea is that?" The ducks were elated to hear the complement for their idea but kept the joy for themselves since they could neither smile or comment back without losing their bite on the rope. But the dog who cannot let the opportunity of honor to pass, shouted, "It's MINE." By opening his mouth, the dog released his bite upon the rope and fell 2000 feet from the ground, and end up being an azucena for the man.

Beware of seeking an honor for yourself that is not rightfully yours. You might be the next one to fall 2000 feet from the ground. Rather, know what you are, be humble. "For he who exalts himself will be humbled,” What then is HUMILITY? Today’s readings describe it to us. And let me identify three points to consider in our reflection on HUMILITY.

FIRST, humility is not inferiority complex. A person who is afraid to face other people, who is shy and timid and who cannot be relied upon and trusted with responsibilities is not necessarily humble. Rather, humility is the courage to accept that we are mere God’s creatures, that we are nothing before God, they say, fear of the Lord. In Sirach, “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Then, to be humble is to be wise. That is why a humble person accepts responsibility. He is confident and unafraid. Yet does not seek a place of honor for him/herself. Humility with wisdom recognizes one’s capacities, that is, knows ones limitations. The first reading reminds us, “What is sublime for you seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.”

This point is illustrated by a story told of an accident that happened on the street. A woman approached the victims and tried to help them. But suddenly, a nursing student come in and said: “Excuse me Miss! I have had a course on first aid and I am trained in CPR.” The woman stepped aside, and watched the procedures a few moments, then tapped the student on the shoulder and said: “When you’re through, if ever you will need a doctor, NANDITO LANG AKO.” What do you think of the student, was she wise to know where she stands and humble to admit what she can do? The lesson remains, he who exalts him/herself shall be humbled.

SECOND, humility is not a trick, a technique nor a device to get indirectly what we wanted in the first place, as if first we have to humble ourselves in order to be exalted later! Humility is not an instrument of reward when we work for God. Even Jesus who obeyed the Father for our Redemption was not promised with reward rather He did it willingly out of love. If at the end of time, we will be sharing in the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, it is not because of our efforts but because it is freely given, it is a free gift from God; the technical term is GRACE, libre ang grasya ng Panginoon. So, humility is the recognition that we cannot control God and demand from him honor for ourselves. Rather, humility is being at the mercy of God.

THIRD, our teachers in HS used to explain that humility comes from the Latin word HUMUS, which means EARTH. I believe humility is the recognition that I am essentially like anyone else, that is, I am dust and to dust I shall return. Nonetheless, this earth out of which I am created by God is endowed with dignity which I must respect and recognize in others. If humility is the recognition of our shared humanity endowed with dignity by God, then there is no reason for me to claim superiority over others. Whether, famous or despised, rich or destitute, powerful or a little one, all share in the same HUMUS, earth at death.

If we are essentially HUMUS, richness and power and things are accidents. They are not what makes us human endowed with dignity by God. That is why Jesus discourages the Pharisees from seeking places of honor at meals, by inviting the rich and famous who in turn will honor them by their invitation in return. Instead, Jesus challenges them to invite the nobody in their society who has no means to reciprocate the invitation. It is in their midst that humility as recognition of our shared humanity happens.

At this point, we can say that there is wisdom in humility by being dependent on God and in solidarity with the rest of humanity. HUMILITY as a virtue is meant for a purpose. Otherwise, is becomes false humility, a pretension. Rather it is meant for others. As Saint Paul says in his letter to the Philippians: "Do nothing out of selfishness of out of vainglory. Rather humbly regards others a more important than ourselves, each looking out not for his own interest but for those of others." Jesus more powerfully said it in these words, " I have come not to be served but to serve."

My brothers and sisters, HUMILITY is best expressed in service. Sa paglilingkoD ang kaganapan ng kababaang loob.

THOUGHTFULL

The Wooden Bowl

(Source: Unknown)

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?'
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work .

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

Transfiguration

Prayer, a moment of Transfiguration

The account of Transfiguration in Luke ix, 28-36 happened in a mountain and within the context of prayer. The Bible oftentimes, associate mountains with events of theophanies, as in the revelation to Moses and Elijah. In Luke, a mountain is a place of prayer. What i see here is a close connection between prayer and the experience of God's glory.

"Prayer," says an anonymous quote, "is a passport to heaven. your communication to God." The quote underlines and recognizes the exclusive right of access if not at least the means of access of prayer to God. In fact, in prayer, we commune with God, or put simply, we are with God.

I believe, Transfiguration continuous to happen and be experienced by many individuals and communities in their moments of prayer. That is why, in this regard we speak of religious experience.

The challenge for us is to widen the space of prayer to include in its scope our studies, work and apostolate where God is actively involved and waiting to be noticed. Let there be no dichotomy between work and prayer as might be implied and mistakenly construed from the famous Benedictine motto: ora et labora. Rather, let our work be done in prayer.

In this way, we become responsive to the Words at Transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." Indeed, listening--being attentive of God's message is an integral part of prayer. In the words of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, "God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer."

May we then experience the Transfiguration of our Lord in our prayers, work, studies, apostolate and in the people we meet.

A homily/reflection shared during the Eucharistic Memorial on the Feast of Transfiguration at Divine Word Seminary Chapel, August 2007.