Are These Bits of Spiritual Advice Impossible to Apply In Our Workplace?

Some bits of spiritual advice may seem impossible - or at least too difficult - to apply in our workplace. These may be amongst those. But let's see if we might re-consider and find ways to do so.

OK?

Say Nothing

1. Let it pass, that insolent word. Do not retaliate. Remember Jesus, when taunted and mocked in the house of Herod, was silent. Imitate His heroic silence, His divine restraint. By so doing you will make giant strides in virtue. After all, it is easy to give back taunt for taunt, sneer for sneer, cut for cut. Anyone can do that. But to curb the tongue that is longing to lash out – that means manly sanctity. You have perhaps the power to inflict a wound far deeper than the one you got, but leave him to God, who knows the provocation you have received and who has said, “I will repay.” If he is worth anything, he will recognize your virtuous silence and respect you – perhaps it will be the means of converting him. If he is not worth anything, why be troubled about his lack of charity? 

2. SAY NOTHING. Do not join in the uncharitable gossip. If you cannot put in a good word for the person criticized, say nothing. Your very silence will act as a rebuke. Be the one not to cast a stone. How do you know what trials he has to bear? How do you know how much and how often he has resisted temptation? Above all, how do you know if a word of gossip be true at all? You surely have been a witness to cases where the original story was so altered that it became unrecognizable. Any story that has gone through two tellings should be suspected. 

3. SAY NOTHING if your word is depreciated, undervalued or the credit of it passed on to another. If this is done to you unintentionally, it will be a good act of self-denial to let the occasion pass in silence; if done to you maliciously, why give others the gratification of seeing they have wounded you. Small minds glory in it. 

4. When misunderstood, judged rashly, blamed wrongly, even slandered – saying nothing. God will clear you.  

5. When you see others flattering those in power, throwing out their poor bait to catch favor – say nothing. 

6. When weary and in pain, bear it silently for the love of God and say nothing.
 

(Fr. Bruno Hagspiel, S.V.D)

Such advice is not for the faint of heart, don't you think? They are the extreme opposite of those bromides (trite and unoriginal idea or remark typically intended to soothe or placate) to assuage any difficulties we may encounter - such as those Father references  No punches are pulled here.

If we re-read these (and it's certainly worth at least one re-reading), we will surely find instances that have applied to us in the workplace, perhaps even at this very moment. We can so easily complain, perhaps whine a bit, even get angry. But here we're called to a more manly, even heroic response. 

And let's remember that for most of us, the term "heroic" may seem a stretch, a bit outside our wheelhouse. We can easily defer that description to the more obvious examples of, for example, those who have given their lives for others, who may have rescued someone in danger at the risk of their lives, etc. But the fact is, there's no reason for us not to strive for some, let's call it, more modest heroism. 

We might remind ourselves here that the Church, when considering officially calling someone a "saint" looks for instances of "heroic virtue." And while we may legitimately question whether we have manifested instances of heroic virtue when compared to some of our dear saints, if we take seriously the advice given her by Father Hagspiel, well, isn't that a way try to practice at least what are rudimentary instances of heroic virtue?

More next time...