Hastings: On silence and stillness
On Monday, April 8, 2024, many people across North America sat in silence and awe, witnessing a total or near-total solar eclipse. Even the birds went to their nests and were silent. Some described their viewing of the eclipse as “an emotional experience” or “a spiritual experience.”
Some went by plane to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere to witness the eclipse from a unique perspective. A reporter on one flight was asked what was most outstanding about that experience. He said, “The silence, with everyone looking out the window — most unusual for a commercial flight.”
So I wonder what may grow from this time of silence together. The ancient prophets and psalmists spoke about times of silence and awe of Creation. In Psalm 8, David said, “When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place — what is humanity that you should be mindful of us? … You have made us responsible for the works of your hands…”
In Psalm 62, David wrote, “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” And the prophet Habakkuk said, “YHWH is in the Holy Temple: let all the earth be silent in God’s presence.”
Abiding in God’s presence in silence and stillness can bring awareness of the power which turns fear into unshakable faith. Psalm 46 suggests this: “God is our refuge and our strength, who from of old has helped us in our distress. Therefore we fear nothing… Be still and know that I am God…”
This is good news: The spiritual experience felt by many during a solar eclipse is available at any time and in any place. As one looks to the heavens and waits in silence, the Holy One casts out fear, inspires awe and responsible care for Creation.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted upon the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 The Inclusive Bible
The Rev. Celia M. Hastings has a master’s degree in religious education from Western Theological Seminary in Holland. She is author of “The Wisdom Series” and “The Undertaker’s Wife.”
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hastings: On silence and stillness
