Remain recollected in God
“Remain recollected always in God”
-Letter of St. Paul of the Cross to Mother Mary Crucified on Dec 11, 1762
Through our journey in life, we go through different situations. Sometimes we are blessed with joys; while at other times, we are weighed down by sorrows. Where can we find peace? How can we remain steady when the circumstances around us are always changing?
It was the winter of 1762, in Tarquinia, Italy. Mother Mary Crucified had recently endured a discouraging situation. She was troubled and wrote to her spiritual director for guidance.
St. Paul of the Cross responded with encouragement. “Be faithful to God, accepting every trial from His loving hand in silence, and with great meekness. Everything will disappear like the mist before the warm sun. Be strong and constant by persevering in your way of life. Remain recollected always in God, in interior solitude, and seek no other consolation than to please Him and do His Holy Will.”
When we face difficulties, we often want to take control of the situation and fix it; but we need to remember that God is in control. Paul encourages her to stay in the loving Presence and peace of God, echoing the words of our Savior: remain in me.