SILENCE

Snippet

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

MARTIN NIEMÖLLER: "FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE SOCIALISTS..."

Scripture

Fear gripped me,

    and my bones trembled.

A spirit[a] swept past my face,

    and my hair stood on end.

The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape.

    There was a form before my eyes.

In the silence I heard a voice say,

‘Can a mortal be innocent before God?

    Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’ Job 4:14-17 NLT

Song 

The Sound Of Silence by Disturbed

(originally by Simon & Garfunkel)

https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4?list=RDu9Dg-g7t2l4

 Hello, darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

'Neath the halo of a street lamp

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dare

Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools," said I, "You do not know:

Silence, like a cancer, grows.

Hear my words that I might teach you.

Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words like silent raindrops fell

And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon God they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

And the words that it was forming

And the sign said,

"The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls."

And whispered in the sound of silence

Sentence Prayer

God have mercy-on your children!  Silence for injustice!  Silence for the apathy!  Silence for the destruction!  Holy Father; send a fierce prophet who is not silent and calls your children to repentance and love!  Amen