On Silence

"Yesterday is gone.

Tomorrow has not yet come.

We have only today,

Let us begin."

To make possible true inner silence, practice:

Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy,

closing them to all other voices that come from fallen human nature, such as 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 judgments, false suspicions of others, revengeful thoughts, and desires;

Silence of the heart, by loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and one another as God loves,

and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed.

I shall keep the silence of my heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear His words

of comfort and from the fullness of my heart I comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.

For in the silence and purity of the heart God speaks.

~Words By Mother Teresa~