The Ministry of Silence

As a minister, I am often called upon to speak words of comfort during some of the most difficult times in the lives of my parishioners, family, and friends. Throughout these occasions I sometimes find myself at a loss for words.
Over a sixteen year period of ministry, I have discovered that no amount of education or training can adequately supply one with the appropriate commentary to the trials and tribulations of life. Therefore, there is occasionally the sound of silence; dreaded, uncomfortable, loud, restless silence.
We that seek to heal, through our prayers and presence, those, that are suffering, despise this stillness. It makes us feel uneasy, inadequate, ineffective. However, I believe that there is a ministry in silence, a service to be provided. For, words unspoken give way to embraces, held hands, deeper looks, universal language.
Many times we look for responses from those who are experiencing trials and tribulations through verbal communication. However, some of the most painful situations cannot always be expressed through verbal communication. The vocal outcry of anguish comes from the formation of thoughts through the silent periods of one’s life that eventually will be uttered, but not always understood.
In the book of Job, during a seven day period of silence, Job's friends were so busy thinking about what they wanted to say that they didn't hear what Job had already said through his expression, posture, silence. Their lengthy monologues must have sounded like irrelevant chatter to Job. They didn't realize that their seven day period of quiet compassion would have been enough.
In other words, there are times when silence is golden. Moreover, there are times that we all need each other’s silence to acknowledge the depth of the pain we experience. This helps each of us to digest the pain, anguish, bitterness; lest the hurt become toxic and twisted.