“If, in all adversities, we surrender ourselves serenely to God’s will, we will be on the path to holiness and we will be the happiest people in the world.” (St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori)
This is one of those phrases that, if we take it to heart, can present a great challenge for us. We have all been called by our Father to the path of holiness, and we all desire happiness. Indeed, no one could imagine Heaven without happiness.
But how can we face the adversities that come our way in this life, whether internal or external? Our first reaction—natural and understandable—is usually to avoid them as much as possible. A second reaction, which is already problematic, would be to rebel against reality, to fight against it, and even to fall into an attitude of constant accusation.
Today’s phrase, however, points to another way: not to let ourselves be carried away by the dynamics of adversity, whatever form it may take. If we encounter setbacks that we cannot resolve, we must entrust them to God’s wisdom each time they arise. In this way, our attention will not remain fixed on ourselves and our limited strength, but on the Lord, who tells us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). And we will experience this continually, for the Lord never withholds His help.
This interior encounter with the Lord in the midst of adversity will strengthen our confidence and gradually free us from fear of what may still lie ahead. This is how the serenity mentioned in today’s phrase takes root. Undoubtedly, it is a process that must be lived, but then what St. Alphonsus Maria says becomes reality. Those who take this step will be among the happiest people in the world, for they will be able to exclaim with St. Paul:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35, 37)