“Keen, delicately skillful, penetrating . . .”
That’s how Webster defines “subtle”. I love that word, that concept. It’s a way of communicating a meaning, an emotion, a truth. But it merely points, it doesn’t shout. It can come with a spoken word, a gesture, a look. Often times a subtle look can speak much more than dozens of words.
Let’s mention a few moments of subtle to see if you can recognize this lovely way of communicating.
- You take a child’s hand (or they take yours) as you walk through the mall. It says, “I’m with you; you and me together.”
- A smile. A genuine smile, with eyes full of friendship can literally change someone’s day for the better.
- A kiss. A subtle kiss says what? “Not just a friend . . . you’re a good friend.”
- Look for sadness in people you see. Say a secret prayer for them.
- Words too can be subtle. Things like, “How nice”, “Take care”, “Well done” or cautionary words like, “Be careful”, or “Please don’t” are brief and to the point. Subtle words are few.
- Music, theatre, novels, so many things, convey a quiet secret meaning.
The point is, are we alert to the subtle messages all around us? Unfortunately; our culture favors the laud and frenetic. (Have you noticed the television commercials are louder than the program you’re watching?) The squeaky wheel gets all the attention, right?
The season of Advent is all about the “subtle”. It applies (if we let it) long forgotten practices our grand- parents knew so well . . . waiting, expecting, helping others, remembering. It avoids the loud and noisy. Why? Because God speaks in a whisper. Quickly and subtly the Spirit touches our minds and hearts.
Let this holy season teach you to see and hear God’s gentle promptings. Listen to the music . . . Oh Come Oh Come Emanuel. See the need of the total stranger in the checkout line. Watch the children. See their innocence. Protect their young hearts.
God will show you.
Fr. Tim
