Finding Peace

13 Jul

“The resting place of the mind is the heart. The only thing the mind hears all day is clanging bells and noise and argument, and all it wants is quietude. The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart. That’s where you need to go.”  ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

I won’t lie.  Yesterday began on an awful note.  It seemed that anything that could go wrong was bound and determined to do so.  It really had me rattled.  This was all even before my 8:30 a.m. Mass.  Then, as I got ready to walk in for Mass, I saw the opening hymn was “Take Up Your Cross” and I thought to myself, “Oh, dear God, it’s going to be one of those kinds of days, isn’t it?!”

The scriptures — Old Testament, psalm response, and Gospel — were all centered around challenges, taking up crosses, and the need for God’s help.  Which was all right.  I needed to hear that.  One of the beautiful things about all of that is Mass really helps to straighten me out.  If I am angry, upset, sad, depressed, whatever the feeling, when I enter into the prayer that is the Eucharistic celebration, that is, the Mass, I feel transformed.

I believe the reason for that is because the Mass does two things.  It takes us out of ourselves and puts us in touch with God.  Just the same, the prayer of the Mass also takes us deep within ourselves and puts us in touch with our soul, crafted in the very image and likeness of God.  We go to the silence of our heart, if you will and our soul has the perfect opportunity to reach out and grasp God.

“The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart.”  When Gilbert reminds us of that, she reminds us of the beautiful reality of our God and the gift of prayer.  The opportunity to focus within clears and calms our minds and helps us to embrace the God who embraces us.

However you can find the space and time to do so, allow yourself to slow down, peer deep within, and find God in the silence of your heart.  You will be met with a calm, loving presence that reminds you of your dignity and worth by a God who loves you completely and unconditionally.

FAITH ACTION:  Spend some time in silence today so that you may look within and find peace.