why are some voices silenced?

It hit me
this Holy Week...
just how silent the disciples were
those days prior to
Jesus'
arrest and
crucifixion.

A few words spoken
at the table the last time
they ate with Jesus.
After that...
betrayal and denial was all.

What silenced them?
What silences us?

Grief -
shuts down our senses
numbs our thoughts and
our tongues.

Liability -
always leaves questions,
unrest, fear....we choose
the safe way
and in the end
say little.

Fanaticism -
if we talk we sound like
them...so....
often...
mostly...we don't.

Prejudice -
when victims of such
we can talk and not
be heard.

Knowledge -
fear that we don't know,
can't know enough about
God
so we remain mute.

Judgment -
some feel they have a right
and speak too much...
others
are silenced.

Important to remember:
God the Holy Spirit gives courage
to those who been long silenced
to speak....
and if they can't speak the
stones will shout!

A prayer for Holy Week:
Lord, give me wisdom enough to
listen,
and courage
enough to
speak.