exalted and venerated

It is in silence that we find all we need to live a life of peace and service. In the silence of the heart God speaks. In silence we would know that we are nothing, and It is only when we realize our nothingness, our emptiness, that God can fill us with Himself.

Following is a meditation from Mother Theresa’s book “In the Heart of the World.” It is an invitation into modes of silence where we find all we need to live a life of peace and service.

1. We silence our eyes by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere and closing our eyes to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul.

2. We silence our ears by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy and closing them to all other voices that come from fallen human nature, such as gossip, and uncharitable words.

3. We silence our 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.

4. We silence our 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 judgments, false suspicions of others, vengeful thoughts and desires.

5. We silence our heart by loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength; loving one another as God loves; and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed.

Let us keep the silence of our heart with greater care, so that in the silence of our heart we hear His words of comfort, and from the fullness of our heart we comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor. For in the silence and purity of the heart God speaks.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Habakkuk 2:20 “The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”