The gift of the silence in Saint Gilbert

Many things that happen in our lives can not be understood only with human reason and logic. As in the Gospel, we are often troubled by the enormous waves that seem to suffocate us and we will not have enough strength to overcome all the obstacles that invade our soul and the anguish dampens us. Are we alone? Have we been abandoned?

In these harrowing moments that assail us we must have the firm hope and certainty of the omnipresence of God. And for this to happen in us we need the gift of the gift of silence.

We talk a lot because we think a lot. It is difficult for us to silence. It seems that our prayer is heard by God in much speaking of our words. Jesus himself teaches us to pray in the silence of our room, because the Father knows what we need. "Silence is, more eloquent than speeches," an Arab proverb tells us. Silence makes us meek and humble, because through it we learn to hear the voice of God more easily.

St. Gilbert was a man of silence. He knew to silence before the events of his life and his adversities. Muting is the ability to shut up, but it is also omitting. Shut up before God; learn to listen, to perceive the whispers of God as in the soft breeze of Elijah. In order to do this experience it is urgent to omit, that is, to neglect to do my own will. Through silence we are filled with unconditional love. Silence leads us to love.

Therefore, silence is a gift that brings us closer to the will of God and distances us more from ourselves and from our manias, our human arrogance. Whoever can keep silence before things and events can better glimpse the power of God who comes to our rescue and defends us.

Silence is a fundamental human attitude, capable of expressing the most diverse inner situations. It is not a simple negation of communication, but an essential element to it, because communication cannot take place without the synthesis of the word and silence. The lack of this balance generates a noise that dulls and points no direction

These were the profound experiences of the love of God that St. Gilbert experienced in his total abandonment to the holy will of the Lord in his life. The gift of silence frees us from our own safety, because it invites us to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord's hands because in the ways of this life it is she who accompanies us and directs our journey.

May St. Gilbert of Sempringham, friend of silence help us in silencing our voice, our ear and, above all, our heart.