"Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never attain sanctity. The sword of silence will cut off everything that would like to cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it is God's will that we should speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without hinderence."
St. Faustina's Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul
This is so great! I just read about choosing our words carefully and never speaking ill of another in Anne the Lay Apostle's book. Also, not only do we detach from empty and damaging speech, but "In the silence, God speaks." Let's be wary of what we are saying and ask ourselves what Christ want's to say at every moment of our day. Souls can be saved by a single word of truth without us even knowing it and souls can also be saved by a moment of silence and prayer rather than unnecessary speech. Amen brother!
ReplyDeleteEven more proof of how important it is to discern EVERYTHING at EVERY moment of EVERY day. Taber, I love what you said about how a soul can be saved by a single moment of silence. It has slowly become more revealed to me that many times not saying anything but challenging one another by our actions, and living as a good example relays more than anything we say.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Words of life have grown to be of such prominent importance in my life since Totus Tuus. It's still a constant struggle, but such a grace to always wish to speak words of life.
ReplyDeleteHowever, let us also remember that a soul can say nothing, but still be very restless and talkative interiorly whereas there may be a soul who says much, but possesses the grace of silence in the interior depths of his or her soul. St. Faustina speaks of this as well.