“Fortune and misfortune are to the brave as the right hand and the left hand: he makes the most of both” (St. Catherine of Siena).
This phrase comes from St. Catherine of Siena, who exerted a great influence on the Church and the world with her life of holiness and her words. This requires courage and a spirit of fortitude.
She shows us the way of the cross as that which the love of the Father has prepared for us. The cross is the bridge that leads us safely to Him. In one of her visions, our Father said to her:
“Man’s guilt produced thorns and thistles of tribulation, a river that constantly generates waves. That is why I have given you the bridge of my Son, so that you will not drown while crossing the river.”
Crossing the river on this bridge requires the attitude presented to us as advice in today’s passage. Whether fortune or misfortune, we must face them the right way. The stages in which we can easily and swiftly advance in the active will of God correspond to the “fortune” mentioned here. We should take advantage of these stages to move forward with determination and dare to undertake great deeds in the Lord.
However, our Father also allows us to experience difficulties, hardships, dangers, temptations, and trials of all kinds. Facing them is a spiritual art that requires courage and understanding on our part. God allows “misfortune” so that we may also draw benefit from it and continue advancing toward Him.
With God’s help, if we consciously integrate both easy and difficult circumstances into our lives, we will be able to face each day with confidence and advance courageously on the bridge to salvation.