In 1994, just before her death, Mother Teresa made a rare TV appearance on the news show 60 Minutes. By then, she had become one of the most recognizable people in the world. After decades of serving the poor in Calcutta, people wanted to know what sustained her. They had heard about her long hours of prayer and wondered what those conversations with God were like.

During the interview, Journalist Dan Rather asked her a simple question: “When you pray, what do you say to God?”

Mother Teresa answered without hesitation. “I don’t say much. I mostly listen.”

The answer surprised Rather, so he asked another question: “Well then, what does God say to you?” She smiled and replied, “He doesn’t say much. He mostly listens.”

For a moment, there was silence. Rather appeared unsure how to respond. Then Mother Teresa gently broke the silence with a smile. “And if you don’t understand that,” she said, “I can’t explain it to you.”