I can not go forward until I have effected the subjection of myself; and when finally I overcome and enter into my kingdom, then only shall I achieved perfect freedom. I must begin with this, and thus I see the necessity of acquiring a spirit of detachment from all things in the sense of subordinating my will to the will of God, realizing by faith that I can not escape from it., that whatever happens comes to pass only because God has allowed it in His wisdom and His love. I must frequently meditate on this divine will.Then again, I must try to be perfectly truthful in life; that my life should correspond absolutely to my thoughts. Once I start posing or pretending, I become a slave to pretense. Never shall I free myself until I revert to myself and am not content to act as others expect of me. Compromise, just because it is a lie can not be allowed within these limits that circumscribe truth. To be prudent, to be on my guard, yet to keep myself undisturbed, to possess my soul in patience-that is the great secret of life. Especially in these days, when everything is at a rush and hurry, I must take care to be in perfect serenity of mind, lest I add to the disturbance of existence and break in upon my peace of soul and perfect freedom, without which spiritual life is rendered impossible. - Father Bede Jarrett, O.P.
My Aunt Judy and I had a wonderful conversation over breakfast one morning. A few months later she handed this meditation for the feast of St. Martha to me. I've been carrying it with me for the past year. It has helped me to effect a restructuring of my priorities to be better centered and calm in the wake of some pretty rough storms this past year.
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