I had this idea. I’d lead a church service with songs, readings, prayers – the usual mix, but when it came to the sermon/homily/talky-bit I’d stay seated and silent. I wanted to see how long it would be before someone did something or said something.
I’d thought of lessons to draw from it, but I was never brave enough to do it.
We talk about bringing the little you have… David with his five stones to kill Goliath… the boy bringing five loaves and two fishes to Jesus… the widow’s small coin in the offering… the child sharing his toys… the housebound lady who can still bake a cake…
But if I’ve nothing to contribute, no gifts to bring, nothing to say?
Abbot Francis decided that the monks in his monastery each had to take their turn preaching in their Sunday morning chapel service.
Brother Bob was good at practical things but he’d never preached. Bob’s Sunday came. He had nothing to say. Standing before his fellow monks, Bob anxiously asked, ‘Do you know what I’m going to say?’
‘No!’ The other monks replied.
‘Nor do I,’ Bob exclaimed, running from the chapel in embarrassment.
Abbot Francis wasn’t pleased. Bob had to preach the following Sunday. He was more anxious, still with no ideas. ‘Do you know what I’m going to say?’ Bob asked.
The other monks considered… ‘Yes.’ they replied.
‘Then I don’t need to tell you,’ Bob managed as he left the chapel.
Abbott Francis insisted that Bob must try again. A week later anxiety had become panic… ‘Do you know what I’m going to say?’
The monks were ready. Some said, ‘Yes,’ others said, ‘No.’
‘Those who know, tell those who don’t.’ A tearful, Bob said as he was leaving.
Abbott Francis stopped him and addressed the assembled brothers. ‘Brother Bob has said something profound for us all to ponder and learn from…’
Bob came with nothing. ‘Those who know tell those who don’t.’ Nothing became something. Perhaps sometimes coming with nothing is enough…
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