Power Of The Sacred Silence

Key Scripture:  “Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.'' (betray Jesus).  Luke 22:23

Power Point:

     In the book, “Mother Teresa, Her Essential Wisdom”, there is a powerful quote from Mother Teresa:

 “We must cultivate that sacred silence which makes people remember the words of Jesus:  "See how they love one another."  How often we find ourselves speaking of the faults of another.  How often our conversation is about someone who is not present.  Yet see the compassion of Christ toward Judas, the man who received so much love, yet betrayed his own Master. But the Master kept the Sacred Silence and did not betray Judas.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus could easily have spoken in public-as we often do- telling the hidden intentions and deeds of Judas to others. But He didn’t. Instead, he showed mercy and charity.  Rather than condemning Judas, he called him his friend.”

     I love these simple words of Truth from Mother Theresa. Being a lover of words I probably should listen more than I talk.  That’s especially true when I come to the place of speaking negatively about another person that Jesus loves.

      Isn’t that a good point? Jesus loved Judas as much as He loved Peter.  He was as crazy about him as He was about John. He knew exactly what Judas was thinking and what he was about to do.  He also knew the remorse that would follow that would cause Judas to take his own life. Yet God didn’t tell a soul. Jesus kept the Sacred Silence and demonstrated love. Did He talk to His Father about the situation?  Yes. Did He get wise counsel? Absolutely.  But if you think about it, Jesus never treated Judas any differently.  How do I know that? Because the disciples were amazed and surprised when He said that one of them would betray Him. They had no clue as to who it was. For a few moments they looked at each other in confusion and thought, “Is it him?” or even worse, “Is it me?” In fact, Judas himself asks Jesus, “Rabbi, is it I?”

     Jesus was as kind to Judas as He was to Mark. He was as encouraging to Judas as He was to Peter. That says a lot doesn’t it?

     Do we need to cultivate the habit of a “Sacred Silence”? Yes, Beloved we do. The only thing that people need to hear from our mouths is lovingkindness isn’t it? In Isaiah 58:9, Holy Spirit says, “If you take away the yoke from your midst and the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness…your light will break out.” Don’t we sometimes point our fingers and speak ugly things about others? Am I alone here?  God says if we STOP doing that, His light in us will begin to shine brighter and brighter. Any darkness that we walk in will become as bright as the sun.  That’s a pretty good exchange don’t you think?

Power Thought:

 "Try not to judge people.  If you judge others then you are not giving love.  Instead, try to help them by seeing their needs and acting to meet them. It isn’t what anyone may or may not have done, but what you have done that God sees.” Mother Teresa.