What is good and what is evil?

[fred_conty]

A man in China had a horse. One day the horse escaped into the hills. “Bad Luck” said his friends. “How can you be so sure?” said the man.

Next day, the horse returned leading 10 wild horses. “Good luck” siad his friends. “How can you be so sure?” said the man.

Next day, the son was thrown from the wild horse and broke his leg. “Bad luck” said his friends. “How can you be so sure?” said the man.

Next day, an enemy came to the village and took all the young men captive, but left the injured behind. This time the friends said nothing.

 

[fred_conty]

St. Catherine of Siena says that the spiritual person may cheat themselves with their own self will.

When someone says I wish to have that consolation, and not those battles, or these temptations of the devil, they are saying that they will possess God more, and serve Him better in that way than in this way.

In other words, the person is making the decisions for advancement in the spiritual life rather than leaving that up to God’s choice. She calls this the stench of pride. We are in effect saying that we know the kinds of temptations and problems that are best for us, instead of leaving that to God.