"Pay it forward"

Monday, June 12, 2017

From today’s Mass, one of my favorite passages:

“Praised be God, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him.” (II Corinthians 3-4)

A more recent translation uses the word “encourage” rather than “comfort,” and in my humble opinion, it takes away from some of the dynamism of the passage. I went to the Greek to see what word was used there and found the Greek word “parakleseos” which has the same root as the word “Paraclete,” which is a title given to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

Think of it this way: when we are involved in some difficulty, or when we are afflicted, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us, bringing encouragement, and comfort, and more than we can fully understand with our limited human minds. So many people report that they have received this gift during the difficult or low period of their lives, and I can certainly attest to the same. How about you?

This is one of those graces that we can become more aware of, and perhaps go so far as to even expect God to come to our aid. I think that a lot of graces often pass us by because we have not sharpened up our “antennae” to seek them out.

Finally, this passage delineates a process which is present in the Scriptures from the very beginning when God promised Abram (Abraham) that He would bless him so that he could become a blessing for others. I once took a Bible study course whose title was “Blessed to be a blessing.” That is what is at work in this passage: God gives us a grace or a gift so that we can turn around and gift that same gift to others who are in need. Perhaps you’ve heard the modern term “Pay it forward.” That’s what it’s all about. Thanks be to God!

God bless you!