![]()
The Henri Nouwen Society daily meditation is focused on consolation:
Giving and Receiving Consolation
Consolation is a beautiful word. It means "to be" (con-) "with the
lonely one" (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important
ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we
often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see.
We can and must offer consolation. We can and must console the mother
who lost her child, the young person with AIDS, the family whose house
burned down, the soldier who was wounded, the teenager who
contemplates suicide, the old man who wonders why he should stay alive.
To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there
and say, "You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the
burden. Don't be afraid. I am here." That is consolation. We all need
to give it as well as to receive it.
QUESTIONS:
1. How often do you feel you receive consolation from God for the
harsh times in your life? How often do you feel you have received no
consolation?
2. The famous Cistercian St. Bernard of Clairvoix wrote the Memorare,
a prayer which has the opening line "Remember . . . Virgin Mary that
never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored
thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided." Does anyone
believe that?
Some of my Catholic friends in Oak Ridge have asked me what I have
learned since studying Thomas Merton. I usually tell them that the
Thomas Merton discussion board is focused on finding the inner, true
self. So I have a feeling more than one person will write "we find
consolation by finding our inner, true self."
Consolation, to me, is an external force that brings comfort -- not
something discovered within. The Henri Nouwen Society quote talks
about visiting those who are suffering and being there -- an external
visitor. We can accept the sufferings in our lives, but acceptance
does not equal consolation.
Most people who turn away from developing a prayer life say they get
nothing from it -- prayers not answered, not even any consolation.
Liz wrote that she is aware God loves her no matter what, and that
gives her consolation. But while I respect that realization, I don't
think it is enough to give most adults "peace of mind, comfort" as
they deal with traumatic events in their lives.
I remember a deacon in our local church gave a Sunday homily where he
said some adults don't learn about religion or spiritual matters after
they get out of grade school. When faced with a crisis, all they know
is "Jesus loves me" from grammar school, and the deacon laughed saying
no wonder they feel abandoned with such a limited knowledge of
theology/religion/spiritual growth.
Michael
|
THIS SITE:
(1) DISCUSSION BOARD HOME
(2) HENRI NOUWEN SOCIETY MEDITATIONS
(3) POST A COMMENT by e-mail
|
