[Greek] ἡσυχάζω (hēsychazō), [Latin] tacere, [Latin] siluere, [Latin] quiescere, [French] reposer: to rest, to live a quiet life, to remain quiet, to keep still, to hold one’s peace; Lk.14:4, Lk.23:56, Acts 11:18, Acts 21:14, 1Thess.4:11
St. Peter Martyr of Verona asking for silence: fresco by Fra Angelico (1441)
Background information:
Fresco of St. Peter Martyr of Verona:
- This fresco is located at the Convent of San Marco in Florence, Italy.
- St. Peter Martyr was of the Dominican order. The rule of silence was indicative of the Dominican order.
- His habit is of blue and white, not the usual black and white. He was martyred in 1252.
- He was murdered by an assassin hired by the Cathars. At the time of his death when he was struck in the head with an axe, he wrote on the ground “Credo in Deum” (I believe in God) on the ground with his own blood.
- St. Peter Martyr calls for silence and still yet could not be silenced (for what he believed in) at his death.
- He was the fastest canonized saint in that this process only took 11 months.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to keep quiet, to hold one’s peace, to find rest, to calm oneself, to bring to rest, and to impose a silence.
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 1.12: “Even after the Trojan war, Hellas was still engaged in removing and settling, and thus could not attain to the quiet which must precede growth.”
Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 329: “And may you hold your peace and be not too blustering of speech.”
Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 346: “No, keep quiet and keep yourself clear of harm.”
Plato’s Parmenides 162e: “But surely, that which is without motion must keep still, and that which keeps still must be at rest.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 620: “If I await him in repose, his ends will have been gained, and mine lost.”
Old Testament: This term means to be at rest, to grant relief, to be quiet, to be calm, and to cause calm.
New Testament: This term means to keep silent, to rest, to hold one’s peace, to let the matter rest, and to live a tranquil life.
Scripture:
Lk.14:4: “But they kept silent so He took the man and, after He had healed him, dismissed him.” (The Pharisees and law scholars were furious that Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. However, they kept silent about this. Jesus pointed out that they already had provisions to help animals on the sabbath. But they still were unable to answer Jesus’ question.)
Acts 11:18: “When they heard this, they stopped objecting and gloried God, saying, ‘God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.” (The Jewish Christians were at first scandalized to learn of Peter entering in the house of the Gentile Cornelius. The Jewish people eventually realized that it was God’s will that salvation was also to be given to the Gentiles.)
Acts 21:14: “Since he would not be dissuaded we let the matter rest, saying, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” (The Holy Spirit prophesied that Paul would be bound by his feet and hands with his own belt. Others begged Paul to not go to Jerusalem. Paul stated that this was part of God’s will.)
Lk.23:56: “The women returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.” (This is the only record in the gospels of that memorable sabbath.)
1Thess.4:11: “And to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.” (Paul calls upon the Thessalonians to make an “active” effort to live a more tranquil (less busy) life. The Thessalonians were known to be actively involved (meddlesome) with other regions. The Thessalonian Christians were mostly artisans.)
“Silence does good to the soul.” St. Theresa of Liseaux
“Silence is God’s first language.” St. John of the Cross
“Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart.” Mother Teresa
Conclusion:
Tacit, silence, silent, quiet, repose
In Greek Hellenism, this term is used in various ways. Thucydides makes reference to maintaining the peace (quiet) necessary for prosperity. Plato makes reference to objects at rest.
In the Old Testament, this term becomes integrated with God’s relationship with man.
St. Peter Martyr calls for silence and still yet could not be silenced (for what he believed in) at his death.
Update: Paul warns all of us about the dangers of becoming caught up in the busyness of life. This is a timely reminder that we all need to make quiet time for God.
Catholics and even open-minded Protestants can spend time before Jesus in Eucharistic adoration in silence, prayer and reading scripture.
One does not necessarily need to be fully possessed in order to be influenced by Satan. Satan seeks to keep one busy and preoccupied with this world. Satan also seeks to make one forget about God.
More and more Catholics are flocking to the TLM precisely because of its increased silence and reverence. This silence may even appear to be unsettling to the outsider.
This is part of God’s providence in allowing an organic movement toward Tradition, silence, and reverence. Catholics, Protestants, and others are seeking deeper meaning about faith in response to what the world cannot provide.
Protestants are also seeking to find deeper meaning faith. As they further search into Church history, many Protestants are converting to Catholicism.
More and more woman (and others) are refusing to be silent about transgender woman competing in woman’s sports.
More Protestants are discovering the differences between Protestant services (focus on the pastor and entertainment) and the Catholic Mass (focus on liturgy and silence, and Christ).
More and more people are refusing to be silent about the harms of puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgery for young kids.
Pro-life advocates are now being persecuted and arrested for standing quiet and praying before abortion facilities (US and England).
The Vatican had remained silent about Fr. Rupnik’s sexual crimes. The legal authorities are finally attending to his case.