Say Nothing

(a homily)

No words that I say, no phrases that I write will make sense of this moment (of listening to the words of Scripture). I would like to speak lovely words, but in this moment I know they will do nothing. If anything, words spoken after the hearing of the Word can merely hop to bring the hearer back to the Spirit and life that moments ago descended upon the place in which it was heard. Silence is our best response. Not mere quietude, but deep, slow silence. Our words must cease so that they may be enlivened by that Word come down...

"Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy."
"I am the LORD."
"I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me."

What can we say? What can we do? What will we do? What will we say?

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory."
"The peace of Christ be with you."
"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed."
"The body of Christ.
The blood of Christ.
Amen."