Becoming a Community of Disciples

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Becoming a Community of Disciples

The Practice of Silence (RBas §136) Q: Is it good to practice complete silence?

R: 1 Silence and taciturnity 4 are good when they befit the time and the person, as we are taught by the holy Scripture, which says on one occasion: He who understands will keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time (Amos 5:13), 2 and again on another occasion: I set a guard over my mouth, when the sinner rose up against me; I was dumb and humbled myself and kept silent even from good things (Ps 38:1–2), 3 and elsewhere: If a revelation is made to one seated, let the one who was speaking first keep silent (1 Cor 14:30) and again: let the women among you keep silent in the churches (1 Cor 14:34). 4 And there is also another occasion when it says to those who have an incontinent 5 tongue: Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for the upbuilding of the faith (Eph 4:29). 5 Now taciturnity is necessary at all times until the vices of the tongue and rashness of speech are pruned and one learns to speak appropriately and at the right time and beneficially, 6 as it is written: Let their speech be seasoned with salt . . . that it may impart grace to the hearers (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29).

4 Taciturnity – shy and reserved. 5 Incontinent – uncontrolled.