The Dutch language has the word eigenwijs which, literally translated, would be something like “own-wise,” and is used for someone who is out of step with others, or sees things differently from the way others normally view them.  Formerly, someone who was “own-wise” was just annoying.  When decisions had to be taken in a group, such a person was soon considered to be a spoilsport who had to be isolated.  Today the word has developed a different meaning.  It is even encouraged: do it in your own way, don’t let others tell you what you should say or do.  For we have all become more or less closed personalities, each one with our own opinions, our own wise.

But this individuality is as a double-edged sword.  On the one hand, it makes us autonomous, frees us from ties; on the other, it brings us into a world of colliding interests, opinions, and conflicts.  If we only follow our own wisdom, our conversations become like verbal combat among the deaf, who are all locked up in their own points.

To heal a deaf person, Christ had to take him away from the crowd to a quiet place.  There, alone with him, He could perform the miracle of the healing and open his ears.

Also our deafness, our own wisdom that is estranged from divine wisdom, can only be healed when we are in silence together with Him.

That is the way and the significance of the Act of Consecration—being together with Him in silence.  Where in the world can you still find such a spot, where you can practice the art of listening with full attention?  For, the art of prayer is nothing other than the art of listening to the will of God.  The Act of Consecration teaches us to lead a listening life.  Sooner or later, He will open our ears to His presence, not only at the altar, but in every human being, no matter how “own-wise” we may be.

-Rev. Bastiaan Baan, August 31, 2025