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Gary G. Hoag
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”— Colossians 3:5
“As to your temptations, divert your mind from them, and in this do violence to yourself, but let it be a gentle violence, and yet taking good hold. This firmness tempered with mildness is, my daughter, the course for you. God has hidden the prize of eternal glory in the conquest and mortification of ourselves, but a conquest and a mortification that are always accompanied with sweetness; otherwise, with your quick nature you will be the cause of suffering not only to yourself but likewise to others. Hence, gentleness is an important factor in government, and when allied to generosity, I daily see how much souls are helped and supported by it.
Jane Frances de Chantal (1572–1641) in Selected letters of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (London: Washbourne, 1918) in letter LXXII “To Mother Marie-Adrienne Fichet, Superior at Rumilly” dated 1627.
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In today’s Scripture we read about mortification. Jane Frances uses graphic language in using her fellow monastery administrator to “do violence” to herself.
Think about it. Do you need to “do violence” to yourself? Is there anything in your life that needs to go? Get rid of it, now.
The recipient of the letter had a quick nature. I can relate. It means you think fast, process information quickly, and can tend to dismiss, run ahead of, or run over people. It's not good.
This nature led Marie-Adrienne to a position of overseeing the monastery, but her government or oversight needed to be seasoned with gentleness and generosity, two fruits of the Spirit.
What about you? Where might you fit in this scene?
Are you Jane Frances needing to build up a sister (or brother) in love? Or are you Marie-Adrienne needing to prune your life with mortification so you bear more fruit?
Based on your answer to these questions, follow God’s leading on next steps.
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