Peace on Thanksgiving Day

 "The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; and the fruit of service is peace."  Mother Theresa of Calcutta 

Last night Father Andy shared these words from Mother Theresa in church.  I was struck by the simplicity and profound message of many actions I attribute to the internal life - prayer, faith, love, service which ultimately lead to peace.  That illusive peace is not attained so easily.  It has many steps.

Without God in all endeavors no matter how noble, it does not fruitfully multiply as we would hope.  Prayer honors the presence of God.  Through God's grace flows faith and love.  The fruits of grace extends to our submission to a life of service.  And taking up that cross willingly liberates us from the clutches of this world.

But first, embrace silence because God speaks in the stillness of the heart.  In that communion with the divine is peace.