Language one

written by Stephan Joubert

Silence is God's first language. That's what John of the Cross said in the 16th century if I have my facts correctly. This silence is not equal to passivity, apathy or lounging around when it comes to God. Quite the contrary. Silence is to become empty of yourself in order to be filled with the Lord. Let me make it even clearer: emptiness is never a goal in and of itself. To become quiet is to empty yourself of arrogance and all the noise in and around you in order to be filled with the presence of God. Becoming quiet is to lay down your restless heart and busy mind at God's feet. It is to decrease your words to be better able to hear God's presence!

Listen again, becoming empty is never enough if you want to share in God's holy silence. It is about continually being filled with God's Spirit. That is why you need to bring your crowded life to a standstill at the cross of Christ in order to find emptiness (of yourself) and fullness (in God). That is why you need to become quiet and hear God's silence!

Peace

Stephan Joubert