Ancient Wisdom from the Desert

It was said about Abba Agathon that for three years he carried a pebble around in his mouth until he learned to be silent.

Comments

[Robin]

Me likey these jewels of "Ancient Wisdom"...short, sweet and drives the point home like a sledgehammer. Keep 'em coming!

Gonna head out to my yard to look for some rocks.

[St.Trixie]

Am I being 'silent' if I continue to blog while not saying a word?

[Chris]

"Am I being 'silent' if I continue to blog while not saying a word?"

LOL! It's sure alright by me!

[Seraphim]

um, this is beneficial how? how do we proclaim the good news when we have rocks in our mouth?

[Robin]

"how do we proclaim the good news when we have rocks in our mouth?"

Is anyone else thinking about St. Francis?

[seraphim]

yes yes yes very well 'preach at all times, when necessary use words'.

but what about St. Paul? Do we forget him?

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)

or that Other Guy. Y'shua?

"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." (Matthew 10:27)

I'shalom

Seraphim

[Fr. Dcn. Raphael]

Ah......paradox!

[Chris]

"Ah......paradox!"

Couldn't say it better myself! :D

[Robin]

This reminded me of something I often tell my children: "God gives you TWO ears and ONE mouth to LISTEN twice as much as you speak." I also thought about King Solomon and his understanding of timing..."There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to be silent and a time to speak..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)

Hearing comes more easily when I'm quiet. God can speak loudly through the proclamation of His word, but often His voice comes in the form of a still, small voice...a more subtle form, yes, but just as powerful. I long for a heart that hears--not limited to what God has to say, but to the desperate needs of those around me, those who know Him and those who don't. I don't want a Pharaoh's heart, stubborn and hardened, refusing to listen; or one that won't listen because of rebellion, incapable of hearing (Ezekiel 12). "A pebble in my mouth" serving as a reminder to shut the heck up wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Funny, but the verses mentioned by Paul and Christ Himself re: preaching the word, reminded me of Jesus during the Triumphal Entry...upon the Pharisees' insistence that Jesus rebuke his followers for praising Him so loudly, He replied that even the rocks would cry out if the people fell silent.

Hmmmm, the 18th & 19th verses of Romans 1 come to mind, too.

Think I'll end on that note :) peace.

[Seraphim]

Hmmmm, the 18th & 19th verses of Romans 1 come to mind, too.

Think I'll end on that note :) peace.

What? I have no earthly idea what you are trying to say....

are you saying I'm holding the Truth in Un-Righteousness? wow

are you saying that the gospel doesn't need to be preached proclaimed with words?

[Robin]

No, no, no! Not at all...ESPECIALLY when I inadvertently posted 18 & 19, when I meant 19 & 20 "...for since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (great...simply great, gotta LOVE making that kind of mistake :/)! I re-read 18 & 19 just now and had to lol, makes no sense to me that way either. mea culpa

ALL I'm saying is we proclaim the Gospel with our actions AND words, I think both serve a purpose. For me, maybe no one else in the world, sometimes that action is silence.

Like now :).

[Seraphim]

ALL I'm saying is we proclaim the Gospel with our actions AND words, I think both serve a purpose. For me, maybe no one else in the world, sometimes that action is silence.

Amen. I agree. No worries.

lol

LYS

Seraphim