Such a bounty of things to reflect on today! In the first reading, we begin a journey through 2 Corinthians. At the same time, our Gospel readings for the next few weeks will be from the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. Wow! The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Volumes have been written on the Beatitudes, and rightfully so. Read and reflect today!
One of my goals in life it to encourage other people. I hope that, if you read these reflections daily or listen to my radio show, you find that to be the case. St. Paul was obviously big on this, too. In our first reading today from 2 Corinthians 1, St. Paul uses a form of the word “encourage” ten times in one paragraph. Ten times! Is that overkill? I think not! St. Paul makes it a point to tell us that it is God who “encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage” others.
Encourage means to give courage to another; to fill another with courage. In my book Magnetic Christianity, encouragement is the final attribute of the Magnetic Christian that I list. Part of this first reading is prominently featured in that chapter. St. Paul talks a lot about the relationship between affliction and encouragement. Through our afflictions, we are able to encourage others. How is that? Well, if God can see us, in our weakness, through afflictions, then He can see anyone through. So allow me to encourage you today! No matter what’s going on in your life, hang in there! Take courage! God is watching over you, and will see you through anything the world can throw at you!
Father, thank you for encouraging us. Help us to encourage others today with the encouragement we receive from you. Amen.
Would you like to be a better encourager? Read Magnetic Christianity! Encouragement is the final attribute of the Magnetic Christian. Get your copy today at www.GusLloyd.com.
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