Consolation
LETTER BY BRIAN MORYKON
Mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water,
because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me.
– Lamentations 1:16
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
– Jesus in Matthew 23:37
Surrender don’t come natural to me.
I’d rather fight you for something I don’t really want
than take what you give that I need.
– Rich Mullins
When hurting, sometimes we resist what we need most. We push away someone’s kind offer to be with us, forgive us, or embrace us — especially if our painful situation is due to our own stupid mistakes.
Or we may resist consolation because it’s not on our terms. We ask God for peace in the storm but we’re really asking for the storm to stop; anything less feels like abandonment.
The Gospel of Luke tells how old, faithful Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, an ancient Jewish name for the coming Messiah (Isa. 40:1).
Many in Simeon’s day were waiting for the consolation of Israel. Few had his heart. He understood true consolation may look differently than expected as he prophesied to Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34).
Strange consolation.
But this is how Jesus works. He wants to get to the root of the matter and give a peace that endures, not a temporary fix. Sometimes that’s not what we want.
In Matthew, Jesus likens himself to a mother hen who longs to gather her brood under her wings. Such a tender picture. Then comes the devastating line: but you were not willing. The old King James says simply, ye would not.
So, Lord, we want to be willing to be gathered under your wings. We do ache for short-term consolation, for the world and our little worlds to be set right. We know you want that, too. We also know the world has trouble. So console us in the midst of chaos we can’t control. Your consolation at times may come as a severe mercy. Help us receive it. Your presence at times may feel undeserved. Help us not resist it. Give us grace, like Simeon, to receive you, Great Consolation of Israel — and then even if our hearts are pierced, they’ll come to know lasting peace.
Brian Morykon
Director of Communications
Two helpful books are coming up in the second half of this season’s Renovaré Book Club. Enrollment is now open for a limited time, at a reduced price from the Fall. The next book begins January 29. We’d love to have you join us. Learn more.
Sign up for Renovaré Weekly
Thoughtfully introduced Christ-centered spiritual formation resources.
Thanks for subscribing! We'll send you a confirmation email.
LET’S DIVE IN...
CURATED BY GRACE POUCH
-
1.
An excerpt from Richard Foster’s Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home extends this beautiful truth: “The Father’s heart is open wide — you are welcome to come in.”
-
2.
“The function of apocalyptic literature is to embolden the faithful to persevere during hard times and to trust in God, over and against the powers that be — relevant then and in every age,” writes Biblical scholar Paul Anderson in part 2 of his daily reflections on the book of Revelation.
-
3.
Why did Jesus choose to compare himself to a mother hen? Barbara Brown Taylor unpacks the metaphor in “As a Hen Gathers Her Brood,” and this prayer helps us receive the offer to be gathered as his chicks.
-
4.
“God is with us when we’re sad.” Communicating this simple truth to young children is the topic of Lacy Borgo’s recent article about the “high honor” of walking beside little ones when they experience grief.
-
5.
Centuries of Christians have found the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius helpful for strengthening our awareness that the Consolation is with us. Our friends at Conversatio are offering intensive training program to equip spiritual directors to accompany others through the Full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Download the brochure here.
-
6.
Meditate on God’s deep longing to comfort and hold you as you listen to The Goodness of God.
Grace Pouch
Content Manager