Episode 66 -- Spiritual Combat c41 -- Avoiding Excessive Desires to Escape Affliction

Is it wrong to want to be free of vexations and afflictions?

In chapter 39 of The Spiritual Combat, Fr Scupoli spoke about seven common afflictions/vexations that can happen to us every day and many times a day. In chapter 40, he stressed how one sign of spiritual progress is our perseverance in prayer and pursuing virtue despite afflictions and vexations and dryness. In chapter 41, the question arises: when is it okay to want to be free of these trials and afflictions and vexations? Do we just have to suffer?

Fr. Scupoli will make a distinction.

• There is an ordinary use of means to be free of an affliction.
• There is also excessive effort.

But what happens when the ordinary means do not work? Here he advises us to be patient. And he gives us reasons why an excessive desire to be free of afflictions is spiritually detrimental to us. If we try to hard to get rid of an affliction, we run the risk of never becoming truly patient and missing out of heavenly rewards that God has for us.

What then is the best course of action? Our Lord in the garden is the model! “If it is possible, let this cup of suffering pass from me, Father; yet not my will, but your will be done.” May the Lord, ascending into heaven, obtain perfect conformity with the will of God for us. May Our Lady of Fatima show us the way to uniting our afflictions to Her Son to make amends for sins.