Thursday, December 11, 2008

Taming Talk's Tenacious Tintinabulation

One of several downsides to the lemming-like proliferation of the internet and cell phones is the generation of a tsunami of inane verbiage, which inundates sacred silence and leaves us with the muck and dismal din of spoken and written logorrhea. Many, of course, would flee the silence if they were exposed to it, but time for quiet, solitary prayer and thought is essential if we are to commune with God and grow in Christian Science.



Mankind seems to have acquired a desperate, insatiable desire to talk or listen to talk, no matter how mindless and useless. Babble and idle chitchat the world lived without for most of its history are now de rigeur. "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen frequently on earth,--silence for the space of half an hour." (MBE, Mis. 339: 2-5) If we are ever going to hear that still, small voice which helps and heals, we must find sanctuary in hours of patient quietude, no matter how insistent the desire to hear someone or be heard.



A/the Mother Church web site has apparently encouraged participation in a lively, active discussion on "spiritual healing, spirituality, and Mary Baker Eddy" or something along those lines. To what end, one would like to know, and why are they so ashamed to talk about Christian Science healing if people must natter about something? " 'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!/The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!/ Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun/The frumious Bandersnatch!' " ("Jabberwocky", Lewis Carroll) There is obviously a danger of being hoist by one's own observations, but it is far better to listen to God than to me or anyone else.

"And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea/I see Christ walk,/And come to me, and tenderly,/Divinely talk." (MBE, "Christ My Refuge") If one is not secretly, silently, patiently watching for Christ's numinous coming to his yearning and expectant consciousness, it may be yet another potential blessing gone by unheeded, and we will be poorer in Spirit for it.

Note: If the information concerning the lively Mother Church website mulligan stew is correct that Christian Science or C. S. healing isn't a stated topic, perhaps the excitement in the interchange of words couild be juiced a bit by making participation a game of sorts by having a secret word, like the old Groucho Marx tv show "You Bet Your Life", where he announced at the outset to the audience what the secret word was. If the contestant used the word in the course of their conversation a bird (not a real one) would drop down on a string and the person would get a prize. The secret word on the MC website could be Christian Science, and the first 25 people having the temerity to mention Christian Science would get a prize, say a free one-year subscription to the "Sentinel". If someone only said Christian or Science, but not both together, he would get a consolation prize of a free two-year subscription to the "Sentinel".

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

A most cleverly written blog, my friend. And I mean this in a complimentary sense. But what I really like is the sublime part toward the middle on listening to our heavenly Father's voice. Quite lovely that. (But I did get a laugh out of your references to the Sentinel!)
Many thanks for jobs regularly well done!

Anonymous said...

One thing is sure, we can count on the author of "The Broken Net" blog to keep us up on what Boston is doing. Or should I say, not doing. Why are they so reluctant to come out and say Christian Science?! Why mask it under "spiritual healing" for God's sake?! So glad you,not only a gifted writer, but are obviously one who loves what Mary Baker Eddy has bequeathed to us, are on the watch.
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a great contribution on the importance of listening to God. Can't help thinking of Moses who, as dedicated as he apparently was, spent the longest time in the wilderness, alone, listening to God and getting prepared for his tremendous mission. And there's Christ Jesus who, as our Leader points out in "Science and Health", page 32: "...withdrew from the material senses to refresh his heart with brighter, with spiritual views." If Jesus needed to do this, just think what you and I and rest of us need to do?
Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Oh the healing power of solitude and communing with God. Certainly in these times it's hard to find enough momments to be alone with things that matter, but as you bring out so well, it is essential if we're to hear His voice and to grow in Christlikeness.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Methinks the blogger has hit on one of the most significant of topics. People sometimes ponder what is different between today and when Mrs. Eddy was with us and the Movement was going strong with dramatic healings. Not only is it the seemingly incessant "talk" going on but the proliferation of electronic signals in the air. Bicknell Young refers somewhere to radio waves as being a form of mesmberic mortal thought. Just because we need an electronic device to receive and process these signals doesn't mean they aren't affecting our thought. As for using--or not--an electronic device, I'm thoroughly convinced of the benefits of NOT watching TV. The last time I turned ours on to watch something other than a pre-recorded movie was 9/11. The difference in the atmosphere of our home is incredible. It's far easier to attain a state of quiet listening for God's direction.

Anonymous said...

A well done blog. And enjoyed the fascinating comment previous to mine. A lot to ponder there for sure--in my quiet time!

Anonymous said...

Can't let a day go by without visiting this site. Always find something of value, even if I don't always leave a comment. You are doing a needed service, and I thank you!

Anonymous said...

This is surely a thinking man's -- and woman's -- blog. Truly enjoying reading what you've been thinking about. (And your last two sentences are a hoot!)

Anonymous said...

And I like this, too. Just left a comment on an earlier one, I think one before last. And this posting has a lot in it, too.
You are giving a lot, and the Cause of Christian Science is richer for your labors.

Anonymous said...

Keep up your steady work on behalf of our wonderful religion. The Cause of Christian Science needs such as you today!
Love and blessings to you...