It was a woman who said: "Do not believe that there exists a single woman perfectly established in the mastery of her emotions."
There are advantages in sensibility: It provides us with feelers allowing us to discover what wounds or delights others; it creates a sort of gift of second sight. And if God has endowed woman with a rich sensibility, it is because He wishes to make her first of all a mother, and then a creature keen to anticipate the unexpressed needs of others; a nurse, and a person full of goodness who devotes herself untiringly and understandingly to allaying all mis?eries; a source of inspiration - was there not always a woman be?hind all great causes?
Sensibility has its disadvantages when it is exaggerated. It arouses the emotions too much, or too easily, or for too long a time, for insignificant motives; it exalts the imagination, which, in turn, re-enforces the play of sensibility; it prevents a healthy and calm view of realities; destroys the right sense of values, exaggerating the importance of detail, and ignoring the significance of the whole if the emotions are not awakened by it.
I will try in every way possible to be master of my nerves, of my impressions, of my impulses, and endeavor to correct by a pro?found spirit of faith my native or acquired impressionability.
"O Jesus give me that serenity which You never lacked, even before accusations, raillery, insults, blows, and condemnation to death. Grant that in all circumstances, I may know how to oppose a too natural im?pressionability, a supernatural serenity based on faith and Your divine example."
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
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