(Not) Widely Known

So his brothers said to Jesus, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” – John 7:3-4  (NRSV) 

At the silent vigil, we walked three times in silence around the building. Inside, people who we believed were not criminals were being detained as if they were. We had been instructed to let each footfall be a prayer of compassion for those inside, for their children who were far away. We maintained total silence for an hour as we walked.  

Left, right, left, right. 

A single gong sounded a single note. A woman smiled silently as she passed out crackers and water in little paper cups. Without a sound, a few people waved marker-on-cardboard signs at a passing car or two. A couple mimes negotiated a selfie with an adorable baby in a plaid hat. I noticed these things, and then turned my attention again to my steps. 

Left, right, left, right. 

Our culture tells us that the only way change gets made is by crying out, playing trumpets at top volume to bring the walls crashing down, making ourselves widely known. 

But, as we see in this little exchange from the gospel, Jesus knows a different way. He knows that sometimes change gets made so quietly and so subtly, it almost seems like a secret.  

For an hour or so, more or less in silence, a motley community of gong-players and water-servers and sign-wavers and baby-admirers and prayer-walkers knew it too.  

Prayer
Jesus, in silent times and noisy ones, let each step be a prayer. Amen.

About the Author
Rev. Jennifer Garrison (formerly Brownell) is a writer, spiritual director and pastor living in the Pacific Northwest. Her published work most recently appeared in the book The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, available from The Pilgrim Press.