Economy of Salvation
[Though God could] revive faith and rekindle charity among Catholics and let himself be known and loved … but, worthy of his infinite wisdom: God wants man to cooperate as much as possible in the salvation of men. (OOCC, IV, p.307)
St. Vincent Pallotti acknowledges the role of the human person in the actualization of the universal salvific will of God. The mission to save humankind belongs entirely to God, and its actual execution belongs to Jesus, his Son. Though God is able to revive faith and rekindle charity in a moment, he expects human cooperation in this mission. Similarly, God can let himself be known and loved by everyone in the world by an act of his will. But he does not usually do so in the actual working out of his providence. Instead, God in his wisdom, wants all to cooperate as much as possible in the salvation of the other. Thus, the economy of salvation consists of God’s will to save every person through other human persons. St. Vincent’s realization that the Father apportions the blessings of his Son’s redemptive act on the cross through the weak and the sinful human beings makes him cooperate in the mission of Christ wholeheartedly, working with Christ in true partnership. Though St. Vincent knows that he can do nothing without the grace of God, he believes firmly that the reality of God cannot be made visible without his cooperation as a human person. It is this belief that makes St. Vincent found the Union of Catholic Apostolate to mobilize and activate as many people as possible. This Union consists of those who will base themselves on the grace of God and cooperate in the salvific will of God, and thereby work towards bringing everyone as one flock under one shepherd.
Do I acknowledge my role in the actualization of the will of God? Do I believe that God apportions the blessings of Christ’s redemption through me? Do I believe the reality of God is made visible in the world only through human cooperation?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2: 12)