Balancing Adversity and Prosperity
[We must be] thanking the heavenly Father for the gift of tribulations and in order to improve the gift of a contrite and humble heart so that … [we] will not make bad use of prosperity. (OOCC, VII, p. 59; SD, pp. 36-37)
For St. Vincent Pallotti, a genuine Christian life is a combination of adversity and prosperity. The life of Christ consists of the cross and the glory of the resurrection. In the same way, the life of every Christian has to have a share of tribulations and abundance of blessings. St. Vincent wants his followers to have a balanced view of both tribulation and prosperity. A person should not be downcast when he meets with tribulations. Nor should he be overjoyed when he experiences prosperity. According to St. Vincent, every person must thank the Lord for the various sufferings that come into his life as if they are gifts from God. They are given to a person in order to help him in his personal growth. Thus, the tribulations do contribute to the wellbeing of the human person. They help a person to cultivate a heart that is humble and contrite, with the help of which he can reach out to God in complete and absolute surrender. If there are no tribulations in the life of a person, he may never realize the need for God in his life. The experience of adversity helps a person to understand the value and importance of prosperity in his life and use the moments of prosperity properly. If a person never experiences adversity, he may take moments of prosperity for granted. The experience of adversity prepares him to accept prosperity with gratitude and use it for his good, the good of his neighbor, and for the glory of God.
Do I acknowledge that life is a combination of adversity and prosperity? Do I accept them with the right sense of balance? Do I realize the value of adversity in my life? Does adversity help me to surrender myself to God and use my prosperity properly?
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you … Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven. (Mt. 5: 11 – 12)