ENCOURAGEMENT

ENCOURAGEMENT -3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year A

            Discouragement is experienced when we feel there is nothing we can do in a given situation. We become discouraged if the resources to meet our needs are not present. We become discouraged in the light of injustices, falsehoods, misrepresentations. To be discouraged is to be de-energized because the prospects of something good coming may be dim. Discouragement can be experienced on many different levels of human life, and often interact.

            Here we want to concentrate on spiritual encouragement beginning with some understanding of the nature of spiritual discouragement. Spiritual discouragement comes in the form of guilt from sin or failure to live up to the demands of the law of God. It comes from a sense of being betrayed in some way by unexpected sources such as someone close to us. It can take the form of feeling the Lord has abandoned us, that the Lord is not near.

            Spiritual discouragement can lead people to stop praying, to stop struggling against sin and evil, to stop doing good works. It finds expression in these ways, “The Lord doesn’t hear or answer my prayers…God is punishing me…”. In a state of spiritual discouragement someone doesn’t want to be reminded of God. They avoid what can remind them, Church, Scripture, prayer, and faithful people. They may turn to more sin, or simply fall into an indifferent, apathetic state which leaves them open to more temptation and sin. So spiritual discouragement can be very dangerous to one’s spiritual life, and to the lives such as one touches, and needs to be countered and overcome.

            Advent is a season of hope, which announces the Lord’s coming in mercy and forgiveness, salvation and love. Acceptance of the Advent message can lead to spiritual encouragement and the overcoming of the danger of discouragement, which can lead to spiritual despair.

            The prophet Isaiah tells us, “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, He comes with vindication…He comes to save you.”. He said the Lord was with them and they no longer had to fear. They could have hope and take courage of heart. That same message is for today. The Lord’s presence provides what is needed for our life. While we might be in discouraging circumstances, the presence of the Lord encourages us. Only the true absence of the Lord is a cause of discouragement.

            James reminds us to be patient until the coming of the Lord with the perseverance of Job. “Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Spiritual encouragement comes from being at peace with the Lord. That means dealing with sin, not with despair, but with repentance, confession, and acceptance of forgiveness. The experience of forgiveness and reconciliation restores lost spiritual encouragement. It removes what is the major source of discouragement, that is sin.

            John came preaching repentance for sin. While in prison he sent his disciples to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk…the deaf hear… and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them”. The works of repentance, justice, truth, and love produce courage and anticipation. They make us ready and eager for the Lord’s coming.

            A person on fire with the Lord’s presence, no matter what their other circumstances might be, is not spiritually discouraged. They may be discouraged in other ways, but not spiritually. God’s own peace will stand guard over their hearts! Be encouraged!

Reflections from Divine Mercy #944

“Patience, prayer and silence, these are what give strength to the soul.”