George Matulaitis Journal

53 not forget the sanctification of others; we must try to attract others to God and to exert a good influence on them. We should first begin at home, among those closest to us, those with whom we live, then go out to others outside our immediate circle. Each one of us should be vitally concerned not only with our own progress in holiness, but also that we become a support for others in their spiritual life, a beacon of light to those struggling to become more perfect. Not only should we see to it that our own community be well-organized and well-ordered, but we should make an effort to gather and unite others around us to work together for the good of the Church and of souls. November 20 An idea came to me about the best means to adopt in order to revive the flagging spirit of a religious community. Having noticed that one thing or another is not quite as it should be in a community, how should one go about correcting it and setting things right? In such cases the following phenomenon can usually be detected: everything and everyone is criticized; the entire fault is attributed to superiors, to the rules, or to all kinds of circumstances. Complaints and accusations go on incessantly. Often the so-called zealous and exemplary religious have become the bitterest critics and fault-finders. What good is that? The spirit becomes even more negative; factions form, fostering hate and rivalry. Hate, like any other passion, clouds the mind and embit- ters the heart. “Non in commotione Spiritus Dei” 1 —the Spirit of God is not found in commotion and restlessness. Such a course of action will hardly lead to anything positive. How, then, should we go about restoring the life of the community or at least correcting abuses? It seems to me that the following method would be most effective: the member who discovered and became aware of the sad state of affairs should first of all turn to God, seeking divine light, true wisdom, and strength of will. He ought to reflect on the matter in the presence of God and become so absorbed in it that it would fill his whole mind, will, and heart. Next, he himself must begin to lead a more perfect life, to observe the rules that have been neglected, to avoid the abuses that have crept into the 1 This is another of the author’s favorite sayings and seems to be a Scriptural quotation, the Latin ren- dering of 1 Kings 19:11.