It is remarkable how such extremes of emotion need to be held in tension in life.
We are very sad and very joyful at the same time.
We are overwhelmed with the pain and hurt that people carry,
yet amazed at their resilience and care for one another in the most difficult of circumstances.

Jan Richardson reminds us, in her blessing,
of the things that are enduring- love, hope and joy.
When we hold these close
to our hearts, and live our lives from
their power, we are uplifted
and sustained.

From “Circle of Grace”, Jan Richardson

Silence is the mother
of the Spirit.

It births in us
the cloister of the heart.

It brings us beyond the noise
of chaos and clutter
and confusion
of a spinning world
to the cool, calm centre
of the spiritual self.

Silence enables us
to rest in that centre,
to allow God
to work in us there…

In silence, we learn
to listen to others

who are also seeking God…
to hear their pain
and their wisdom,
their experiences and
the truths in them,
that bring our own wisdom
to light, to question,
to development.

It is silence that keeps us
from giving full rein
to the empty imaginings
and cruel commentaries
always too fresh at hand
in our narcissistic selves…

Silence protects us
from our noisy selves
and prepare us
for the work of God in us…

In silence,
we become able
to hear the voice of God
calling us beyond ourselves-
always to the better,
always to the more.

Joan Chittister, Monastery of the heart.