10th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 12th June 2023 – 2 Cor 1,1-7; Mt 5,1-12
Becoming Comforters
In writing to Corinthians, Paul is aware of the hard times they and he are going through. From verses 3 to 11, the apostle bursts forth into prayer of thanksgiving for the comfort that has come to him in the midst of his distress and affliction. However, in all his afflictions, Paul was conscious of God’s comforting presence. In fact, God is described as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. It is from God that all mercies and comforts flow. Therefore, in just five verses (1,3-7), Paul uses the word “comfort” or “consolation” ten times. Usually the word “comfort” means consolation in times of sorrow. But in the NT, it has a wider meaning that refers to encouragement and exhortation. The Greek word for “comfort” is paraclesis, which is similar to usage in John’s gospel Chs. 14-16, where Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, the paraclete i.e., the Comforter, the Advocate, the Consoler and the Encourager. In the first place, Paul wants his readers to be encouraged with the encouragement that flows from God, from Jesus’ death, and resurrection, and from the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete of God. So, when Paul and his companions suffer, it is to bring the Corinthians encouragement and salvation. This in turn enables Paul and his companions to accept their sufferings. This has an important and practical lesson for everyone. Sufferings are not simply negative experiences; they can be a source of encouragement for others. Others can benefit from our sufferings. At the same time, we should remember when we are comforted that we should seek to pass on this comfort to others. We are not comforted to be comfortable but to be comforters.
