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We
need silence in our lives. We even desire it. But when we enter into
silence we encounter a lot of inner noises, often so disturbing that a
busy and distracting life seems preferable to a time of silence. Two
disturbing "noises" present themselves quickly in our silence: the
noise of lust and the noise of anger. Lust reveals our many unsatisfied
needs, anger or many unresolved relationships. But lust and anger are
very hard to face. What are we to do? Jesus says, "Go and
learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not
sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). Sacrifice
here means "offering up," "cutting out," "burning away," or "killing."
We shouldn't do that with our lust and anger. It simply won't work. But
we can be merciful toward our own noisy selves and turn these enemies
into friends. -Henri Nouwen
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