Twenty-First Meditation

(The Dark Night, book II: chapter 14-16)


"And he said, 'Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (45)


Silencing The House

Her house shudders with creaks and groans;
Lights flash, sounds blare, smells reek, tastes burn.
"How can He draw", her soul bemoans,
"Silence from this chaotic churn?"

Even with all her senses stilled,
Appetites beg and passions yearn,
Affections pull -- this noise has filled
Her faculties, which cannot spurn.

Though she may put her house to bed,
Beloved's grace puts all to sleep;
That He may guide her soul instead
Of her members, this dark is deep.

Her soul, blinded, He guides outside;
In sheer silence, they slip away.
In time, the Bridegroom with the bride,
Will join in heaven's sweet soiree.

She returns to her house once more;
With all this noise, her life's a chore.

May the Lord of our souls silence our senses, appetites, passions, and faculties and draw us in silence unto Himself.

45. 1 Kings 19:9-13a


(c) Paul Buis, 2004