Let Us Do What the Prophet Says
The sermon emphasizes the importance of silence and careful speech in spiritual life, urging disciples to listen more than they speak.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of practicing silence and guarding our speech to avoid sin, even refraining from good speech when necessary. He highlights the power of the tongue to bring either life or death, urging disciples to be silent and listen, reserving speech for holy and edifying conversations. St. Benedict encourages humility and reverence when speaking to superiors, condemning coarse jests and idle words, and prohibiting disciples from engaging in such conversations.
Text
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[39]: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.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of guarding one's speech - The role of silence in spiritual discipline - The consequences of careless words
- II points: - The distinction between speaking and listening - The role of the disciple versus the teacher - The necessity of humility in communication
- III points: - The dangers of idle talk and coarse jesting - The call to edifying conversation - The spiritual implications of our words
- IV points: - Scriptural foundations for speech discipline - Practical applications of silence - Encouragement to seek wisdom in speech
Key Quotes
“I said, 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue.'” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“In much speaking you will not escape sin.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Practice silence in conversations to foster spiritual growth.
- Approach discussions with humility and a desire to learn.
- Be mindful of the words you choose, as they hold power over life and death.