Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
Monday, October 25th Lk. 13: 10-17 “Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.”
We know what Jesus did, He cured the woman of her infirmity on the spot! Can you imagine her standing upright, looking at Jesus with eyes full of wonder and awe, moving about freely glorifying God??? What JOY!!!
And all the synagogue leader could do was criticize and pass judgment on Jesus!
What about us? How compassionate are we for the sufferings of others? It is easy to recognize another’s physical disabilities and be sympathetic. But what about the mental, emotional or spiritual disabilities of others? Likely we are less sympathetic and more judgmental—like today’s synagogue leader.
There is an American proverb: “Never judge a man until you’re walked a mile in his shoes.” Likely, if we had time to talk with people and hear their life stories, we would have understanding and compassion towards them, and great gratitude to God for all He has spared us!
This meditation by Fr. Ed is for all of us who have so much to be grateful for!!!
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 40:1-2)
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 1:3-5)
Saint Paul 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 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.
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 2:1-12) 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: Is there anything I can do to help you today?… May God bless you today… Peace be with you… Jesus and Mary 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 palm of His hand and nobody can snatch you from Him. Such words of encouragement can be of incalculable value for someone passing through the dark tunnel of life. Think of other words or expressions that can be a source of consolation to others and use them! Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you! The reverse is also true, sometimes we offer consolation by simply listening to someone in distress, without saying anything, or trying to fix anything. A listening heart is balm to a suffering heart.
3. A KIND PHYSICAL GESTURE.
We have a 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 help pull them out of the dark pit. Examples: a firm handshake, a pat on the shoulder, or if they are your spouse a gentle and loving embrace and kiss—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 15:11-32) Imagine the desolate son returning home after squandering all he had on loose living. Likely the son is returning in a state 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 fill the Prodigal Son with immense consolation. Let us learn and derive much fruit from this excellent teaching of Jesus the Lord. May we be slow to anger and quick to forgive!
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 a long face into the festivities. However, the contrary is also true. A joyful face and radiant smile can also be contagious. We have all experienced this: someone smiles at us and we feel within us an irresistible pull to reciprocate and smile back. Or perhaps we are the one giving a radiant smile and are rewarded with a broad smile in return! More important, a smile and laughter are inexpensive gifts we can offer to the desolate, those who are going through their own valley of tears. It can lighten the load they carry. Take their minds off their troubles for the moment, make them feel less helpless and hopeless. The saints are unanimous in the fact that joy expressed in 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 someone in a dark pit of despair, why not turn to Our Lady and pray the Hail Holy Queen for that person. Then talk to them about Our Lady’s sorrows! First, Our Lady lost her beloved husband, the good Saint Joseph. Even more devastating was the fact that she lost her only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that, but she 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! Helping someone think about Mary, look at a beautiful painting or image of Mary, say a prayer to Mary, can be the key that helps 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 their desert into a flourishing and blooming interior Garden! May Our Lady, the Mystical Rose, allow her celestial fragrance to permeate and penetrate their entire being, and ours as well!
