Peace and Tranquility

A few years ago, I edited one of our Pure Gold Classics—Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. It was a most interesting project from which I learned a great deal.

St. John wrote, "Keep your heart in peace; let nothing in this world disturb it: all things have an end.

"In all circumstances, however hard they may be, we should rejoice, rather than be cast down, that we may not lose the greatest good, the peace and tranquility of our souls.

"If the whole world and all that is in it were thrown into confusion [this may have already happened], disquietude on that account would be vanity, because that disquietude would do more harm than good.

"To endure all things with an equable and peaceful mind, not only brings with it many blessings to the soul, but also enables us, in the midst of our difficulties, to have a clear judgment about them, and to minister the fitting remedy for them."

Thank you for these words of wisdom, St. John.