Heart of Jesus, Source of all Consolation
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, 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. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement. " (2 Cor 1, 3-7)
A person experiencing difficulties, worries, with all kinds of experiences, needs and expects consolation. Consolation can at least temporarily bring relief to a suffering person, pour hope into his/her heart. It happens that a suffering man seeks support and comfort from his neighbor. Unfortunately, sometimes he is disappointed. Instead of comforting, the other person burdens on him all his/her problems. Jesus is the best Comforter. He said: " Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. " (Mt 11:28). It is to him that we can go at any time and with all our suffering. He wants to help us and comfort us. He wants to bless us with all his graces. We only need to take this one step - go and trust Him with our worries. Saint Peter writes: "Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5: 7).
In one of the most solemn speeches recorded by Evangelists, Jesus talks about himself as a source of living water: If anyone is thirsty and believes in me - let him come to me and drink! As the Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him. (cf. Jn 7:38). Living water was always associated with great wealth. The very term "living" indicated that it carried life, is safe to drink. In desert areas, where there was often a problem with access to water, was indeed an invaluable treasure. Jesus utters the above words in the temple of Jerusalem on the day on which a ritual ceremony with water was performed - according to the prophecy of Ezekiel (Ezek 47) - in messianic times will flow abundantly out of the temple.
Jesus, however, compares himself to something more than just water - he speaks of himself as the Source from which this water flows without restrictions. Anyone can come to such a Source to drink and drink: If someone is thirsty and believes in me - let him come to me and drink! (cf. Jn 7:37) But is it all about the treasure of living water?
John the Evangelist, who usually at first glance in ordinary events can see the works of salvation, permeated by the presence of God, also in these words of Jesus notes something much more important. Jesus is talking here about the Spirit that He will send to His disciples after His resurrection: For the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (cf. Jn 7:39).
The Holy Spirit becomes an infinite and inexhaustible source of consolation, which was given to people from the goodness of the Divine Heart of Christ. Why consolation? The Holy Spirit is the Comforter who gives hope and strengthens hearts in all good deed and good words - as Saint Paul reminds - not to be discouraged or lethargic in the hardships of following God along the paths of faith. All this flows from the gratuitous love of God the Father, which is expressed most fully in His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
LIVE THE WORD!
Jesus cares for each of us. He wants to help us. In Him we can find a true friend. He knows suffering and understands a man experiencing various difficulties. After all, he experienced so much and always felt sorry for the sight of misery. “At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (cf. Mt 9:36). He did not leave a man in need. It is the same today. Jesus does not leave us alone. He is and works among believers. Comforting us he wants us to comfort those in distress. Let's not leave another person in need. Let us thank Jesus for his constant readiness to help us and give us comfort.
Look at your difficult experience - who are you looking for to comfort and help with? Do you see people in need around you? Take a moment today to see a lonely, sad person in need of another person.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george