“Immediately his mouth was opened, his
tongue freed, and
he spoke blessing God.” – Lk 1:64
Because
God’s compassion is so tender, it is mysterious. At the
announcement his son’s birth, the elder Zechariah asked for a sign. Little did he know that he would receive a
dramatic one: he became mute for nine months. Some say he was punished for doubting. Yet, my experience of not talking for months after
undergoing orthognathic surgery helped me to see Zechariah’s
imposed silence as effective preparation. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have been waiting all their lives for a child as well as for the Messiah. Little did
they know that these longings would both be fulfilled in their newborn. For nine months, as his son was growing in
his wife’s barren womb, Zechariah was being prepared in silence. God prepared both husband and wife to join the
unfolding drama of God’s saving love.
When John was born, Zechariah spoke again, immediately blessing
God. He sang an effusive canticle which
included: “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall
break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk 1: 78-78).
During a silent retreat eleven years ago, I experienced
spiritual gifts that eluded me. Perhaps because they were deep and tender, they
were beyond me. Gradually, I have come
to realize that God was preparing me for Christus Ministries bridging young
adults and parishes. God has been
readying me for all of my life actually, albeit hidden. Like Zechariah, I discover it better through
silence.
I am convinced that God has been preparing each of us
to take our place in the mysterious and tender drama of God’s liberating love. Like Zechariah (as with Mary and Joseph),
listening in silence is the best way to cooperate with God’s dream for our
lives.
Let us follow Pope Francis’ advice to ask God for “the grace to love silence, to look for it and
to have a heart guarded by the cloud of silence.”
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