know-it-all

Abba Amoun (of the place called Raythu) came to abba Sisois saying: 'When I read Scripture, I long to prepare elaborate comments, so that I will be ready to answer questions about it if I am asked.' The old man said, 'There is no need. It is better to speak the word simply, with a good conscience and a pure mind.'

From Daily Readings with the Desert Fathers. Edited by Benedicta Ward SLG. Templegate Publishers: Springfield, IL.


The desire to have right answers at the ready, the desire to be relevant and responsive to a given situation, the desire to be seen as in-the-know -- these are very common human desires. So, we might be sympathetic of Amoun in this confessional and transparent moment when he acknowledges a longing that may be driven more by self-centeredness or self-protectiveness than faithfulness.

He makes me think of those moments that often arise in the course of weekly sermon preparation when I find myself struggling for just the right words to illustrate a point, or when I feel like I need to do just a bit more research on a thought in order to "back it up." Sometimes it can be important to find a good word and sometimes a bit more research is exactly what is needed, yet, oftentimes these desires are arising more from ego-consciousness, my need to prove myself or shore myself up in the eyes of others.

Abba Sisois responds with gentle and wise counsel: speak simply, with a good conscience and a pure mind. I wonder if this may mean, at least in part, speak truthfully and simply from your understanding and insight rather than trying to speak what you think you should say or what you suppose others would like you to say.

Speak from the heart of your true self. Trust that God has given you (and each person whose path you cross) truth to speak with your life. Your speech may be with words, and it also may come through your actions, or through simply being present to another in their time of need.

You and I need not have all the answers, and we don't need to prepare well-defended answers just in case someone asks us the questions we may most fear. God simply asks that we speak the truths and understandings we have come to know in love, and then live with curiosity, listening for the truth spoken through others and through the world.