Письмо 66

You grieved over the deprivation of your mother, but with M.M.’s advice you came to your senses, and your despair passed, thank God! We can feel sorry for our neighbors who leave us, but not to the point of madness and despair. Moreover, when your spiritual union was not based on a solid foundation, then you now grieve that you do not have a spiritual mother; although you have it, it is not to your liking. But your constitution requires, of course, that you have a spiritual mother, or at least a prudent sister for advice; for you are very ardent, quickly rash and unfounded, and you would need to cut off your will and reason in everything: but what to do when you don’t find your mother? At the very least, look for a spiritual, prudent sister who can advise you to keep you on the middle, non-falling path; Otherwise, you take on high things that are not according to your measure and strength, and you do not fulfill anything less: self-reproach, patience and the strength of doing. Remember how in your last letter you listed all your corrections, but in fact they have no value. But even if they were worthy of something, then even then it would be dangerous to take them for something great; but you need to look more closely at your sins and weaknesses, and from this acquire self-reproach and humility, and thus you would receive peace of mind and peace of conscience. It’s good that I came to my senses soon, having written about prayer: doing such a thing is not at all your measure; How long does it take to fall into the trap? July 16, 1846. You might be interested in: