Professional Talker

In preparation for an assignment on traditional and contemporary forms of Spiritual Direction I have been reading Rowan Williams’ Silence and Honey Cakes. While doing so I came across this interesting reflection which links to my last post. He describes the reticence of some of the desert fathers like Macarius to be ordained. Rowan wonders if some of their ambivalence is to do with the licence that the ordained person has to talk. Desert teachers were wary about theoretical discussions and over confidence on theological questions. Rowan comments on the danger of using speech to play power games and to communicate half baked truths. He suggests we need to develop a ruthless eye for hidden weakness by X-ray examination of our words both written and spoken to see if there are any hairline cracks in their structures.(p.68) With reference to John 6:60 he goes on to write of Jesus speaking in the context of a relationship in which truth can be uncovered for us. He talks of a language full of surprises and suggests that the Christian community based on the teaching of Jesus ought to be a place where it is hard to make ‘easy speeches’.
This is a humbling lesson in a world where we are called to be ambassadors of the truth but words are cheap and easy to disseminate.
Williams writes that our Christian speaking arises out of ‘fleeing’, running from what makes us feel smug and in control, what gratifies our longing for approval and respect. He suggests that truthful and creative words do not come easily. (p.76) He says that we need to put in some hard work into monitoring our talk. Language is not an evil, but the way we so often use it means that a lot is lost when we start talking.
Perhaps more circumspection is needed?