There is also a time for silence, not only exterior silence, but above all interior silence, so that I may reconnect with God and fully hear and receive His Word in me.
As Mother Teresa of Calcutta speaks about this sacred silence, may her words find a home in my heart:
To make possible true interior silence, we shall practice:
Silence of the eyes, by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere closing it to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul.
Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy, closing it to all the other voices that come from the evil one or from fallen human nature:
e.g. gossip, tale-bearing, and uncharitable words.
Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the life-giving Word of God that is the Truth that enlightens and inspires, brings peace, hope, and joy and by refraining from self-defense and
every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain, and death.
Silence of the mind, by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation, like Mary who pondered the marvels of the Lord in her heart, and by closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts, rash judgment, false suspicions of others, revengeful thoughts, and desires.
Silence of the heart, by loving God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and one another as God loves, desiring God alone and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed. Our silence is a joyful and God-centered silence; it demands of us constant self-denial and plunges us into the deep silence of God where aloneness with God becomes a reality.
To foster and maintain a prayerful atmosphere of exterior silence we shall:
* respect certain times and places of more strict silence,
* move about and work prayerfully, quietly and gently,
* avoid at all costs all unnecessary speaking and notice,
* speak, when we have to, softly, gently, saying just what is necessary,
* look forward to profound silence as a holy and precious time, a withdrawal into the living silence of God.”
Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Under the Light and Guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us walk with Jesus, into the embrace of the Father.
Source via Sue Cifelli
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