Fr. Jim Piszker
I was just about ready to give up on this assignment. Ideas had been percolating in the back of my mind for days, but nothing seemed appropriate for this forum or met the guidelines for "This I Believe." Oh, yes, there were many things that I could say, that I wanted and needed to say, but nothing that met the criteria for this exercise. I was sitting in the chapel sacristy pondering how I was going to tell Rev. Lyta that I could not come up with an appropriate idea when the old adage, "Silence is golden," popped into my mind. From there, I was immediately taken back to my adolescence and memories of a very tall, very gangly adolescent came into focus. Awkward, quiet, shy and ridiculed as a result, I often searched for comfort in voracious reading from a variety of sources. As I was remembering that painful period of my life, the quote came back to me: "In quiet places, reason abounds. In quiet people there is vision and purpose. Many things are revealed to the humble that are hidden from the great."
I don't remember where I obtained the quote. I do remember that I wrote it down on a piece of note paper and tucked it away amongst some keepsakes. Ironically, after many years, I had just come across it several weeks ago, at the bottom of a box with collected items from a lifetime of mementos. I remember that those words provided me with a sense of hope at a point in my life when I needed it desperately. When I first read the quote and wrote it down, I felt safe and secure. Deep inside, I knew that somehow, everything was going to be alright. I have always appreciated the power of words-as an English major in college, in my work with county government, in the study of philosophy, scripture and theology in preparation for priesthood, and now, most especially, in my continuing pursuit of preaching proficiency. The reverse aspect of the equation is just as true-the silence and the quiet have held me in good stead-and have become increasingly important as I grow older, and hopefully, a bit wiser. Put them together and one has a combination that is worth our time and energy-the power of words taken to the place of quiet. It is allowing one's self the luxury of really reflecting upon those powerful words that we hear, regardless from where they may come. It is appreciating that the reflection provides the catalyst for growth, development, change, wisdom, depth and centeredness. In a world where pace is everything, inner peace is a necessity. Even Catholic liturgy is getting on the bandwagon. Inserting silence into the Eucharistic liturgy has become a priority; finally appreciating that we need time to absorb all of the verbiage. So far, it is somewhat awkward, but we are working at it.
As for those of you who may be wondering about the quote, it was given by Adlai Stevenson in an address he gave before taking office as governor of Illinois. Stevenson was considered to be a very eloquent speaker which endeared him to some and estranged him from others. Interestingly, in this presidential election year, Stevenson was a two time Democratic presidential nominee. He lost both times to Dwight Eisenhower.
About Fr. Jim Piszker
Fr. Jim Piszker is a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Erie, assigned to be Chaplain of Mercyhurst. He has been here ten years, both as chaplain and adjunct faculty member in the Religious Studies department. He also serves as an advisor to the Mission Committee of the Board of Trustees. His favorite aspect about Mercyhurst: "the students; I am continually impressed by the caliber of human being that comes to know Mercyhurst as home."