Raising the Flag of Adversity

The Utility of Adversity

In this twelfth Chapter, Thomas brings us into the notion spoken of in Proverbs 27:17, "As Iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens another."  Our adversity has utility in that it brings us closer to one another, closer to humility and closer to The Lord. In our humility, it knocks off the spurs!

Indeed, why do we pray, do good works, go to Mass, write blogs about the Faith, protest abortion, etc?  It certainly does NOT make us the wunderkind of the community.  These activities usually bring us derision, and so we "offer it up" for our own sins, and those of the whole world. 

It is good for us to have some troubles and adversities; for these make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world.


It is good that we sometimes suffer contradictions and that men have an evil or imperfect opinion of us when we do and intend well. These things are often a help to humility and defense against vainglory.
 For then we better run to God, our inward witness, when outwardly we are despised by men and little credit is given to us.



St Christopher and The Christ

 I put St. Christopher here, since here is one guy who suffered derision to the point that historians even doubt whether or not he existed.  But yet, he, or his representative, carried Christ, our inward witness.  As we carry Christ, we can more easily wade the deep waters that trouble us in our daily walk.  St. Christopher, please pray for us! -help us to be Christ-bearers into the Christmas Season.

2. Therefore a man should so establish himself in God so as to have no need of seeking comforts from men.


When a man of good will is troubled, or tempted, or afflicted with evil thoughts, then he better understands what need he has of God, without whom he finds he can do no good (John 15:5).


Then also he laments, he sighs, and prays, by reason of the miseries which he suffers.

Then he is weary of living longer, and he wishes death to come so that he may be dissolved and be with Christ: (Phil 1:23).


Then also he will perceive that perfect security and full peace cannot be found in this world.

In this concluding paragraph, Thomas tells us that we should place our hope in the Lord, since, while we may believe that some day the lion and the lamb will lay down together (perhaps the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God!), that right now we will continue to have tribulation in this world. So we keep standing up for the rights of the unborn, the poor, the widow, the orphan, even in the face of the seeming futility, because in this adversity a flag is raised to give others hope, since He has overcome the world.

Until next time,
Thanks for reading and praying along with me.
Look for my next post during Christmas.  Merry Christmas!
tim

Pride vs Humility: From Cain to Aslan to Samson to Mary

Chapter 7. Of fleeing from vain hope and pride.

Thomas offers us a simple warning and a promise:  if we put our faith in anyone or anything other than The Lord, we face futility.  However, God will honor our efforts and intentions if the rationale for these are in accord with His Will.

Cain & Abel

Life is vain for the one who puts trust in the children of Adam or in any created thing (Jer 17:5, Ps 146:2-4).  Do not be ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. (2 Cor 4:5)

Build your refuge in God (Ps 73:28), not upon your own capabilities. Do what is within your power, and God will help your good intent.
Trust in the favour of God, who resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, and do not trust in your learning, nor in the cleverness of others.

Next, Thomas cautions us to build our relationship with God.  He does not say that we should not have wealth or powerful friends, but rather to keep these in perspective: put God first as only He can break the Stone Table.

Aslan & The Stone Table

 It is easy to think our selves as not needing Him when we are in the flower of youth and health.  But this talent is from God Himself.  Think of Samson here.

2. If you have wealth, take no glory in your riches.  If you have powerful friends, do not rely upon that relationship, but in your relationship with God, who gives all things, and in addition to all things, He desires to give even Himself. (1 Cor 1:31).



Sampson & Delilah

 Boasting because of your strength or beauty of body is futile since it takes only a slight sickness for it to fail and wither away. Pride in your skilfulness or ability for fear that it will displease God, from Whom emanates every good gift and talent which we have.

Thomas concludes this chapter with an admonition to stay humble in all of your efforts. With Mary as a model of humility, we can practice our humility and obtain peace and quiet strength.  This does not ever amount to being a punching bag.

3. Do not count yourself better than others, since you will then be accounted worse in the sight of God, who knows what is in a man's heart.


Be humble about your good works, for God's judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and what pleases others is ofttimes displeasing to Him (Is 55:6-9).

Mary's Fiat

If you have any good qualities, believe that others have more, and so you may preserve your humility. It is no harm to you if you place yourself below all others; but it is great harm if you place yourself above even one other person. Peace is ever with the humble, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.