Expanding The Heart

Sepimta utilitas triublationis est quod dilatat cor hominis ad receptione gloriae et gratiae Dei. Quia sicut malleus aurifabri dilatat aurum vel argentum frequenti percussione a faciendum vas pretiosum; sic Deus fabricator totius creaturae ordinavit tribulationem ad cordis dilationem, ad deponenda dona gratiae. De hac tribulatione dicit Psalmista: In tribulatione dilatasti cor meum. Sustine ergo tribulationis ictus, quia quanto dilatatur cor tuum in plus sustinendo, tanto plura spiritualia dona in te reponet Deus. Considera quod quanto metalium est pretiosius, tanto est ductilius est majis obediens ictibus mallei; sic cor pretiosum et mite majorem habet in tribulatione patientiam. Et licet ictus mallei, tribulationis scilicet, te dure affligant, in hoc tamen consolare, quod Deus aurifabar tenet in manu sua malleum tribulationis, qui bene novit ictum suum secundum possibilitatem recipientis materiae moderari. Noli ergo esse sicut metallum in massa, sine extensione, sicut sunt cords dura et indiscuplinata, in quibus locum non invenit tribulatio vel disciplina. Similiter noli esse sicut sartago vetus, quae prae vetustate sub ictu frangitur, et pro una fractura veteri multas recipit novas; sic durum cor et impatiens in tribulatione auget damnum suum. Sustine ergo hilariter tribulationem cor tuum dilatantem. Ad hoc te invitat Sapiens dicens, Sustine sustentationes Dei, conjungendo te Deo; et sustine ut crescat in novissimo vita tua. Quasi diceret: Sustine patienter et libenter tribulationes hujus mundi pro Deo, qui pro te multa sustinuit; et redde ei vicem hujus servitii. Conjungere Deo et sustine; ac si diceret: Sociare Deo, et quidquid tibi imposuerit sustine, et scito quia non ultra possibilitatem te onerabit. Unde Apostolus: Fidelis est Deus, qui non permittit vos tentari ultra id quod ferre potestis. Sustine ergo libenter modis praedictis, ut crescat in novissimis vita tua, quia per hoc vives in aeternuum in gloria. Petrus Blenensis, De XII Utilitatibus Tribulationis Source: Migne PL 207.1000d-1001c

The seventh usefulness of tribulation is that it expands the heart of man for the reception of the glory and the grace of God. Because as the hammer of a goldsmith stretches out the gold or silver with frequent blows to make a precious vase, so God, the maker of all things, has ordained tribulation for the expansion of the heart, even to dispose it for the gift of grace. About this tribulation the Psalmist says, 'In tribulation you expanded my heart.' 1 Endure, therefore, the blows of tribulation, because the more your heart expands with greater endurance so the more spiritual gifts He will bestow on you. Consider how the more precious a metal is, so it is more ductile and more obedient to the blows of the hammer. So it is that a heart that is precious and meek has greater patience in tribulation. And when the blows of the hammer, that is, the blows of tribulation, severely afflict you, you may yet be consoled in this, that God the goldsmith holds the hammer of tribulation in His hand, He who well knows how to moderate His blows according to the possibility of the material receiving them. Do not, then, be like a dull lump of metal, without any ductility, as hard and undisciplined hearts are, in which there is found no place for tribulation and discipline. Similarly do not be like an old pan that because of its age cracks beneath blows, and for one old crack receives many new ones. So even the hard and impatient heart gains its ruin in tribulation. Therefore joyfully delight in tribulation with your heart expanded. To this Wisdom invites you, saying, 'Endure the trials of God, be joined to God, and endure so that you might increase your life in the end.' 2 As if it said, 'Patiently and joyfully endure the tribulations of this world for God, who suffered so much for you, and return to him His service.' 'Be joined to God and endure.' As if he said, 'Cleave to God and endure whatever He imposes on you, and know that He shall not burden you beyond your capability.' So the Apostle says, 'God is faithful, He does not permit you to be tested beyond your ability.' 3 Endure joyfully, therefore, in the ways we have said, 'that you increase your life in the end,' because by this you shall live in glory forever. Peter of Blois, On The Usefulness of Tribulations 1 Ps 4.2 2 Sirach 2.3 3 1 Cor 10.13