Silence is golden : liturgy beyond the edge of language

Abstract

In this paper attention is given to society’s need for silence amidst growing noise pollution. An attempt is made to define silence, as well as certain misconceptions in this regard. The characteristics of the phenomenon of silence are described, in contrast to its counterpart, namely cliché. In conclusion some preliminary liturgical implications of the phenomenon of silence are taken into consideration, inter alia the need for silence in Reformed liturgies, the need for liturgists being formed ethically and aesthetically by silence, the need for a new, contextual word being created out of silence, and the necessity of understanding liturgy holistically, as verbal and non-verbal event. 1. SILENCE, PLEASE! The German poet and preacher Ernst Eggimann has written a telling little poem on the copious use of words in our worship services. It goes like this: liebe gemeinde jeden Sonntag hört ihr blabla auch ich selbst höre blabla was ich auch sage blabla lasset uns diesen Sonntag nun schweigen (1965: 28) Loosely translated: Dear congregation, every Sunday you hear blabla. I myself also hear blabla, which is what I (as preacher) am also saying, blabla. Let us this Sunday now be silent.

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