Благополучие

In human affairs, according to the natural order, there is nothing solid, even, supported by its own forces and remaining in the same position; our fate revolves like a wheel at different times and often in one day, and sometimes in one hour, undergoing changes, so that we can rather rely on the constancy of the winds that never stop, or the traces of a ship sailing on the sea, or on deceptive dreams at night that bring momentary pleasure, or on the firmness of those marks that children make in the sand when playing, than on human well-being. So, those are prudent who, not believing in present blessings, store up treasures for themselves in the future and, seeing the impermanence and changeability of human well-being, love charity, which will never change (see 1 Cor. 13:8). But, without a doubt, they receive at least one of three retributions: either that they are never exposed to disasters, because God often consoles the pious with earthly blessings, calling them with His goodness to compassion, or that even in the midst of disasters they have boldness towards God (see 1 John 3:21), for they suffer not for a vicious life, but according to a special dispensation, or, finally, that they can rightfully demand from prosperous people the same compassion that they themselves showed to those in need during their happiness (1). It turns out that it is more convenient to endure misfortune than to maintain prosperity, because we, when battles arose against us, were strengthened and more closely united by persecution, and when we came together as one, then we weakened (1). Do not praise too much the well-being of this life, as a learned person thinks about what is more important than what is visible. Look: isn’t the difficult path leading me to the heights, and the convenience of the path leading you to the rapids? 16 For me, thin flesh is better than your fatty flesh. Have you sometimes seen oxen in the corral? One is tall, fierce, shiny with fat, holding his head high; the other bowed his head to the ground, is wrinkled, ugly, wears the signs of agriculture: and the first is saved for slaughter; and the second feeds both himself and the master. Which of them, in your opinion, has the best lot: is it not the emaciated one, or the broken one? This goes without saying. But you love what is broadened, even if this in itself is bad and leads to bad things. Will you really begin to praise the thickness of someone suffering from waterborne illness? Will a man with a crazy mind really seem like a strong man to you? Do sweets really have to be a life-saving medicine? Bitter has often saved many people, but sweet is often worse. For a smart son, isn't the parental rod worthy of respect? Isn’t condescension evil for him? He who is not a son does not know even the blows of the rod. What if, like Job, you strive for crowns? Repeat this to yourself more often, and it will not be difficult for you to find consolation for yourself in your labors, and gain hope through your gratitude. Only a thin slave can show respect to his master when he smiles, and consider him evil when he strikes. I must accept without grumbling, wherever the helm is turned, with which God drives me out of struggle and life, until I enter a quiet harbor, unless He built this ship in vain, but for a good and successful end (2). During a safe voyage, be especially mindful of the storm (2). Rapids - a cliff, a sheer height or depth, an abyss, an abyss. – Approx. ed. You might be interested in: