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.” (II Corinthians 1: 3-5)
Saint Paul once again highlights the ultimate source of consolation and joy, and that is 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 constant 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 to 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 PERSON. At home in our family, when we see somebody with a sour, depressed, discouraged look, the devil can tempt us to be cold, mean, distant, or even sarcastic with that person. Nothing could be worse! The first thing we should do is to offer a fervent prayer to the Holy Spirit so that “The Consoler”—the Holy Spirit Himself will 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 more than happy to receive a fervent prayer from a loved one.
2. A KIND WORD OR TWO. Our prayer will often move us to action! Before Pentecost, the Apostles prayed and fasted with the Blessed Virgin Mary and received a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then they were moved to action to preach 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…. Peace be with you… The Lord and His Blessed Mother love you very much… You are in my prayers and thoughts… You are very precious in the eyes of the Lord… The Father has you in the very palm of His hand and nobody can snatch you. These words of encouragement can be of incalculable value for someone passing through the dark tunnel of life. Brainstorm personally and think of other words or expressions that can be a source of consolation to others and use them!
3. A KIND PHYSICAL GESTURE. We are of composite nature—both body and soul. Saint Paul challenges us to glorify God in our bodies. For someone experiencing great interior darkness a physical gesture of kindness can be a pulling out of the dark pit. Examples: a firm handshake, a pat on the shoulder, if he/she is your spouse a gentle and loving embrace and kiss, or even something as graphic as the high five—all of these gestures and many others can communicate consolation to the 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) Imagine the desolate son returning home after squandering all he had on loose living. Likely the son was returning with some amount of desolation, maybe even fear and trembling. However, the Father upon seeing his wayward son 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 sadness and a frown are contagious. A party can be ruined by one Party-pooper who drags his own long face into the festival. However, the contrary is also true. By this we mean that a joyful face, a radiant smile can prove to be contagious. From our own life we have all experienced the following: when someone smiles at us we feel within us the magnetic pull to reciprocate by smiling ourselves. Or if you like when we have smiled at someone, most likely that person who was the recipient of our smile reciprocates by smiling back. Both the 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 on the fact that joy shown in a joyful countenance and a 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 to that person about Our Lady’s own sorrows. Talk about 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 the immense and overflowing joy of the Resurrection! The thought of Mary, a beautiful painting or image of Mary, the presence of Mary, a prayer to Mary can be the key for us in helping the person in desolation to experience once again joy in the Lord! Our Lady expressed this in the Magnificat: “My soul rejoices in God my Savior.” 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 fragrant aroma to permeate and penetrate our entire being!
Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.
