Consolation

The prayer of St. Francis shifts midway through from “Lord, help me do these things” to “Master, help me do them for the right reason; not for self-serving reasons.” Here is the transition wording: “O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek…..” and then follows the specific issue: “to be consoled as to console.” Francis is quite clear: Lord, don’t let me do these good things for my own benefit, but for the benefit of others.

“to be consoled as to console…” People who follow the Way of Jesus console, comfort, care for a sister or brother because they hurt, not because I hurt. My comforting is directed toward your pain, not my own. In the manner of Jesus, I give myself to your need, not my need. It’s called Selflessness, a hallmark of the life of Jesus and a challenge to 21st century disciples.

By all means, take care of yourself; your personal needs are important. But when you reach out today to encourage, renew, comfort your neighbor, do it because they need it, not because you need it. Give the consolation away freely, no strings attached.

“that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console.”