Leonardo da Vinci wrote that “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
Described as a relentless observer of human nature, this great Renaissance master wrote of what is called the most important interpersonal skill that can be achieved, that which St. Benedict admonished us to at the very beginning of his rule: silence allows us to “listen carefully.”
The very same Father of Western Monasticism related that silence brings about not only the absence of noise, but a “positive presence” wherein one hears the voice of God and provides a remedy against the cacophony of the dictatorship of worldly noise. While da Vinci recognized how the greatest examples of men and women in authority and leadership both attain and demonstrate self-control and self-awareness, when applied to our faith, this notion becomes an imperative of the moral life.
In his book “The Power of Silence,” Cardinal Robert Sarah stated that “Silence is more important than any other human work … for it expresses God. The true revolution comes from silence; it leads us toward God and others so as to place ourselves humbly and generously at their service.”
From a biblical perspective, it might be helpful to recount how, in the First Book of Kings, Elijah was commanded to “go out and stand on the mountain … and the Lord will pass by.”
The wind was described as strong and violent, so much that it “crushed rocks”; after that, an earthquake followed, and then a fire. Scripture recounted that Elijah did not hear the Lord in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire, but rather in “a light silent sound,” sometimes translated as “a gentle whisper” or a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12).
The Book of Lamentations spoke the voice of one who was suffering. From despair, the author turned to the faithfulness of God, and how His “acts of mercy are not exhausted, His compassion is not spent.”
The Sacred Author then stated “The Lord is my portion … therefore I will hope in him,” with this telling instruction: “It is good to hope in silence” (Lamentations 5:21-26).
Most important, we look to the example of Our Lord, and can recall how, before major events and encounters, miracles and decisions, each Gospel presented that He withdrew to pray. In doing so He set a pattern for us to follow.
These examples might be summed up in the words of the 16th century mystic St. John of the Cross, who recalled that “Silence is God's first language; everything else is a poor translation.”
I am personally reflecting on these principles on the date of this publication, March 19, 2026, as the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. None of the four Evangelists ever recounted a single word spoken by him.
What is clear when applying the principle “actions not words” is that the silence of St. Joseph related a man who hears and responds to the language of God, spoken to him even in the silence of his dreams. He offered us a pattern and example of how to be of humble and generous service to the Church, Christ’s body on Earth.
The life of St. Joseph speaks volumes to us in the very language God speaks. He teaches us to carefully listen to the God who will, at times, speak in a quiet way and with a whispered voice. When enduring suffering, he is our guide to that Hope we possess, in silence.
From his place in the Communion of Saints, he intercedes for us with great authority, and “nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” St. Joseph … pray for us.
By Father Eugene Ritz, Judicial Vicar on the Diocesan Tribunal; Vicar for Clergy; in residence at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
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