Keep silent until the right moment; Church Fathers: Day 144

Last updated on: December 15, 2017 at 6:51 am by Pete Socks

Keep silent until the right moment; Church Fathers: Day 144 2017-12-15T06:51:41-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

St. Ambrose, one of the great thinkers in Christian history, weighed his words carefully. When we run the risk of being judged by our words, he says, silence is better than speaking.

Now what should we learn before everything else? To be silent, so that we may be able to speak. Otherwise my voice may condemn me before that of another acquits me; for it is written, “by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

Why should you rush to risk condemnation by speaking, then, when you can be safer by keeping silent? How many have I seen to fall into sin by speaking, but scarcely one by keeping silent; and so it is more difficult to know how to keep silent than how to speak.

I know that most people speak because they do not know how to keep silent. It is seldom that anyone is silent even when speaking profits him nothing. Whoever knows how to keep silent, then, is wise.

Finally, the Wisdom of God said, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know when it is good to speak” (Isaiah 50:4, Septuagint). We are right to call someone wise, then, who has received from the Lord the power to know when he ought to speak. Thus the Scripture says well, “A wise man will be silent until the right moment” (Sirach 20:7). –St. Ambrose, On the Duties of the Clergy, 1.1

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I talk too much?

Even if I don’t think I talk too much, are there times when I might grasp the opportunity to be silent?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, teach me to find you in silence, so that I may not be condemned by the words of my mouth.

Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Church Fathers

Previous Post

December 14, 2017

Think before you speak; Church Fathers: Day 143

Next Post

December 16, 2017 Weigh your words carefully; Church Fathers: Day 145

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz