Friday, May 8, 2009

Silence

This work by an icon painter from the Kirillo-Byelozyorsk Monastery in Archangel (Arkhangelsk) depicts the apostle touching his lips with his right hand, as a sign that he is keeping silence, while with his left hand he points to the text of the Gospel According to St John. The size of the figure is exaggerated in comparison with the small angel behind the saint's shoulder. The hovering angelic form with a seven-pointed halo is an embodiment of the Holy Spirit, and symbolizes wisdom.

We cannot find God in noise and agitation.

Nature: trees, flowers, and grass grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun move in silence.

What is essential is not what we say but what God tells us and what He tells others through us.

In silence He listens to us; in silence He speaks to our souls. In silence we are granted the privilege of listening to His voice.

      Silence of our eyes.
      Silence of our ears.
      Silence of our mouths.
      Silence of our minds.
      ...in the silence of the heart
      God will speak

      ---Mother Teresa, from No Greater Love

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