Reflection - Silence

By Steve Hall

Seven Readings:
Genesis 1:1—2:2
Genesis 22:1-18
Exodus 14:15—15:1
Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah 55:1-11
Baruch 3:9-15, 32--4:4
Ezechiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Epistle: Rom 6:3-11
Gospel: Lk 24:1-12

It was fifty-five or sixty years ago that Paul Simon composed the song The Sound of Silence. The phrase which titled the song is purported to be a reference to dysfunctional communication, particularly dysfunctional emotional communication. In a literal sense, however, I find the title mysterious, ambiguous and haunting. It may also be an oxymoron. In fact, it’s probably just as much an oxymoron as the phrase ‘a deafening silence’.

Just what is the Sound of Silence?

If you really want the to ‘hear’ the right answer to the question you would probably have to listen in prior to when the ‘Big Bang’ made things noisy. Today, where just the fact of silence is itself notable, we have to make do with the best alternatives. We have many circumstances where we speak as if silence might be ‘heard.’

Just consider the indiscernible sound of one hand clapping; and then there’s the reference to hearing a pin drop. Many things provoke silence, even extreme silence.

There is silence as we await what is to come, breathless with anticipation.

There is silence when we are bewildered, confused or embarrassed and at a loss for words.

Sometimes an horrific surprise can shock us into silence.

We can even be overwhelmed — either positively or negatively — into silence.

There’s also the silence that comes with ‘Oh * * * * * , what have I done?’

In none of these do I hear the sound of silence.

The Scriptures are not particularly enamored of silence. From time to time the people are reminded to keep silent in order to hear the Lord. The Psalmist finds his soul waiting in silence for God to speak. There is the beautiful, poetic line from the prophet Habakkuk: “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20) Then, too, there is that haunting verse from the Wisdom of Solomon: “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne.” (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15) On the whole, however, silence gets little press in the Old Testament; and there is no guide to hearing the sound of silence.

When we turn to the New Testament, the situation does not improve. There are, of course, those occasions where Jesus tells the disciples or the healed that they should not tell anyone, but should keep silent. But other incidents of silence are mostly implied as when Jesus suggests that the one without sin should cast the first stone. Ultimately we find that there is nothing in Scripture to either explain or exemplify the sound of silence.

Holy Week for the ordinary layman begins with the special remembrance of the Last Supper at the Mass for the day. A reverential silence almost always accompanies the celebration and the moments after.

Any music on Good Friday is subdued and, again, a reverential silence accompanies the celebration as the Scriptures are read, the cross is adored and communion is received.

If, however, you truly want to hear the Sound of Silence, you need go no further than the day which comes next. We call it Holy Saturday. On this day the anthem of silence heralds discord and dissonance. There is no Word of God assigned to be read. There is no intimation of song or melody. There are no bells being tolled. The Incarnate Word lies silent, in a new tomb carved in the rock. The universe has gasped at what mankind has done; and has yet to catch its breath. Mankind is embarrassed at its arrogance. On this day, above all other days, you can hear the sound of silence.

It’s not pleasant.