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     The Second Letter to the Corinthians has been called by some the Gospel of Suffering and Comfort. Paul knew that one of God’s gifts to his people is comfort and healing. He knew this from the Prophet Isaiah, who speaks of this in chapter 40. He also knows this through his relationship with Jesus Christ. For that reason, a basic duty for each Christian is to offer comfort to the sorrowful and suffering. But whose comfort do we offer, ours or God’s?

     Paul writes to the Corinthians “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2Cor 1:3-4)

     Paul teaches that the comfort and consolation he gives is the same that he had received from Jesus. In effect, we become instruments of God’s comfort and consolation in the world. When a Christian comforts the sick, the grieving, and the despondent, he gives something that is not his own. He offers hope, companionship and solidarity with Jesus Christ.

    When we are in a situation where we have the privilege to offer consolation and comfort, let us pray that we use the power that he gives us to heal souls, not from our own authority, but by the authority of Jesus Christ, who teaches us to generously give the very peace and comfort that we need for ourselves.

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