Half-Hours With The Saints and Servants of God/Part 1: 12. On God's Mercy in Afflictions, etc.
12.— On the Mercy of God as displayed in our Afflictions and Tribulations.
"Tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial, and trial hope." —Romans v. 4.
Jesus Christ has forewarned us that we should be persecuted in this world. St. Paul, in like manner, says that all they who wish to dwell in Christ will suffer great afflictions, not only through the agency of man, but through the instrumentality of the devil and his angels.
Job emphatically says that the whole of our life here below, is one chain of temptations?
Why then should we be so sensitive of tribulations, if such be the period fixed for all kinds of afflictions?
You would indeed have just cause to groan if you had passed through a life of pleasure and sensual delight — a time which our Saviour has allotted for troubles, vexations, and mortifications.
If you are inactive, or apt to pine, buckle on your armour and fight courageously; if you walk on the broad path when the narrow way is recommended, what will your lot be? what fearful thoughts will be in store for you!
Quote, I entreat you, a single instance of a person who, after leading a cowardly indifferent life, has participated in, the reward God has promised to His elect.
We must always keep in mind that our Saviour warns us that the gate of heaven is small, that the road which leads to it is narrow, and that few can find it.
It is evident, therefore, that no one need go astray if he but follow the right path.
[Flechier, Esprit, Bishop of Nimes, and Sacred Orator, was born on the 10th of June 1632, at Perues. He enjoyed a considerable share in the patronage which Louis XIV. extended to all men of letters. He died at Montpellier, on February 16, 17 10, aged 78, regretted by all who resided in his diocese. His funeral orations are models of eloquence.]
To cure the blindness which almost always accompanies prosperity, the surest remedy is to be found as in the case of Tobias* gall of the fish, that is to say, in afflictions and chastisements.
When a violent fever will, as it were, liquefy your bones; when you lie on your bed prostrate and full of grievous pain, you will then see that body for which you have so often risked your soul, which you have clothed with so much luxury, that you have pampered with so many delicacies, is but a fragile vessel which the slightest accident might shatter, and which, of itself, may be broken.
When a preconcerted calumny or any underhand conspiracy will cause you to fall from a position to which you ambitiously aspired, and which position you may have kept up by intrigue, you will at last be convinced of the nothingness and instability of human greatness.
When age or some unforeseen calamity will efface that beauty which attracted many admirers, and which in your heart you wished to preserve, you would be forced to confess that all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
When sent adrift by a capricious master, or betrayed by a cowardly false friend, you will naturally feel contempt for those from whom you expected protection and assistance, and you will then know that one must not trust to human support; but if you wish never to be deceived, you must place all your confidence in God alone.
Losses and disgrace may be (and often are, thanks be to God) the means and cause of our conversion. They excite us to do penance, and make us feel how just is God, and that afflictions are the best victims we can offer to appease Him. They try us when we feel a natural repugnance to them; they sanctify us if we accept with humble submission both evils and remedies together; we suffer troubles, and acquire merit by our patience; occasions of conflict and victory — suffering and longanimity — knowledge and practice, go hand in hand together. They are the merciful means of softening our stony hearts, and whoever resists or is insensible to the chastisements which God sends for his instruction and conversion, his mind and will will be enveloped in impenetrable darkness. I tremble if I dare to say so — I tremble for his salvation.