Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH Lk. 14:1-6 “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?
Part 1: Compassion that Cures by Saint Mother Teresa
Part 2: CONSOLE, CONSOLE MY PEOPLE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
Compassion that Cures by Saint Mother Teresa
In Haiti, just as in England, Spain, Italy, or India – there are unhappy people everywhere. Not only because they don’t have any bread to eat. No, they hunger for love, understanding, and companionship. They suffer from loneliness, the feeling of being unwanted and rejected—a poverty of the soul. These are the things that can be far worse than being hungry or not having enough material goods.
Let’s not live distracted lives. Let us know ourselves so that we can better understand our brothers and sisters. If we want to understand those with whom we live, we need to understand ourselves first of all.
Sometimes we see how joy returns to the lives of the most destitute when they realize that many among us are concerned about them and we show them our love. Even their health improves, if they are sick. After all, was it not Christ Himself who said, Every time you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to me? You are not to be indifferent to the suffering of others, rather their suffering is meant to affect you deeply.” End
CONSOLE, CONSOLE MY PEOPLE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
The Prophet Isaiah gives us excellent advice when he says: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” (Is. 40:1).
Saint Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reiterates the same theme of consolation, using the word encouragement. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.” (2 Cor. 1: 3-6)
Saint Paul once again highlights the ultimate source of consolation and joy, and that is in God alone, with these words: “Rejoice in the Lord. I say it again: rejoice in the Lord.” (Phil.: 4:4) In humble thanksgiving for God’s consolation in our lives, may we in turn be a consolation to others. The essential thrust of this message is the calling that we have to strive to be a source of consolation to others, but most especially those with whom we live and share our lives. Remember the adage: “Charity begins at home.”
The following is a list of five concrete ways that we can be a source of consolation to others in imitation of Jesus, the Good Samaritan on the highway of life’s journey.
1. FERVENT PRAYER FOR THE DESOLATE. At home in our family, when we see someone with a sad, depressed, discouraged look, the devil can tempt us to be cold, mean, distant, or even sarcastic with that person. “You’re a sourpuss today, what’s wrong with you?” Nothing could be worse! The first thing we should do is to offer a fervent prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking “The Consoler”—the Holy Spirit Himself to move them from desolation to consolation. This is true compassion and love. Apply the Golden Rule! “Do to others what you would like them to do to you.” In those dark, dreary, and down moments, we all would be grateful to have a loved one say a fervent prayer for us!
2. A KIND WORD OR TWO. Our fervent prayer for them will often move us to take action! Before Pentecost, the Apostles prayed and fasted with the Blessed Virgin Mary and received a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This moved them to action, preaching the Word of God to the ends of the earth. (Acts 2) For somebody who is down in the dumps, we must learn how to say words that are kind, words that are uplifting, words that are edifying, words that are anointed with consolation. A few examples of consoling words: May God bless you and bring you comfort… Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother love you very much… You are in my thoughts and prayers … You are precious in the eyes of the Lord… The Father has you in the very palm of His hand and nobody can snatch you from Him. These words of encouragement can be of inestimable value for someone passing through a dark tunnel in life. Brainstorm to think of other words or expressions that can be a source of consolation for others and then use them! What words have brought you consolation?
3. A KIND PHYSICAL GESTURE. We are made of a composite nature—both body and soul. Saint Paul challenges us to glorify God in our bodies. For someone experiencing interior darkness, a physical gesture of kindness can help pull them out of the dark pit. Examples: a firm handshake, a pat on the shoulder, if they are your spouse, a gentle and loving embrace and kiss—these gestures and many others can communicate loving care and concern, bringing consolation to a desolate heart. Most likely the most famous Parable ever preached by Jesus was the Parable of the Prodigal Son, or we might even call it the Parable of the Merciful Father. (Lk. 15: 11-32) Imagine the wayward son returning home after having squandered all he had on loose living. Likely the son was returning with remorse but also with desolation, maybe even fear and trembling. However, upon seeing his wayward son, the Father runs to embrace him, weeping copious tears of joy. Most surely the embrace and tears of the Father would have filled the Prodigal Son with immense consolation. Let us learn and derive much fruit from this excellent teaching of Jesus the Lord.
4. A RADIANT SMILE. Only human beings are capable of making the gesture that we call a Smile. Most of us would agree that a frown and sadness are contagious. A party can be ruined by one Party-pooper who drags his long face into the festive atmosphere. However, the contrary is also true. By this we mean that a joyful face, a radiant smile can also prove to be contagious. From our own life, we have all experienced the following: someone smiles at us and we are magnetically drawn to smile back. Or if you like, when we took the initiative to smile at someone, most likely that person smiled back. Both a smile and laughter are inexpensive gifts we can offer to the desolate, those who are going through this valley of tears. (The Hail Holy Queen). The saints are unanimous in the fact that a joyful countenance and smile are among the most evident signs that we are indeed followers of Christ and intimate friends with the Holy Spirit.
5. OUR LADY: OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS, AND OUR HOPE. Noticing somebody in a dark pit of despair, why not turn to Our Lady and pray the Hail Holy Queen for that person. Then talk with that person about Our Lady’s own sorrows. Talk about someone having sorrows!!! Our Lady lost her beloved husband, the good Saint Joseph. However, even more devastating was the fact that she lost her only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that, but Our Lady witnessed the cruel and painful death of her son as she beheld His crucifixion, suffering, and death.
However, Our Lady also experienced an immense and overflowing joy at the Resurrection! Thinking of Mary, a beautiful painting or image of Mary, the presence of Mary, or a prayer to Mary can be the key to helping us and others when we are in desolation to experience once again Joy in the Lord! Our Lady expressed this in the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my rejoices in God my Savior.” (Lk. 1: 46-47) May Our Lady’s prayers and presence turn our desert into a flourishing and blooming interior Garden! May Our Lady, the Mystical Rose, allow her fragrance to permeate and penetrate our entire being!
Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mar y
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
