A Mind Well-regulated

A quote from Catherine:

When the mind is well regulated, there is little danger of anything unsuitable appearing in the contenance.

This week I am a guide at a Busy Person Retreat. It is always a joy for me to do this because it is a time to connect spiritually with others as they share their spiritual journey with me.

What often amazes me is the polarity among retreatants. Some are so fragmented with work, studies, family and just the pressures of making decisions. Mostly they are very tired and running on little sleep and even less on prayer. On the otherhand, I sometimes have a retreatant that comes in, and has an established focus on the spiritual life despite all of the things mentioned above. How vastly different! And, how vastly different is the energy level!

When the mind is well regulated and prayer comes into the fore, then whatever comes can be taken in stride. Though it might seem to be a crisis, and it may lead to a great deal of consternation, the deeper levels of faith are unruffled. That sense of calm and tranquility are evident.

Today I wonder how Catherine kept her cool. She had women dying, more coming to the door than could be helped, a priest or two working against her and all this with the adoption of her nieces and nephews and opening new foundations! She knew what it meant to keep a well regulated mind, putting God first. All other things, though difficult, worked out.

It is certainly a model for me today as I ponder some stuff going on in my life and how I need to deal with it. How are you dealing with your life?

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