Comfort from Christ

"I shall carry you in my arms, He says by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, I shall caress you upon My knees. As one whom his mother caresses, so will I comfort you ..."

—St. Claude de la Colombiere

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What amazing words are these---they are the kind of words on which we may rely during some of our more trying times, those times when we feel anxious or afraid, those times when we don't know what is to come or don't even know what to make of the present situation.

Imagine: you are resting with Jesus, your best friend, someone who knows you better than you know your own self. That alone is a fact in which we can rejoice. Better yet, this person who possesses a most intimate knowledge of you is comforting you, providing reassurance, compassion, and love.

This scene is serene, peaceful, and yet, often feels far away, something we may only encounter in Heaven. This is why Christ embedded Himself into each of us: to allow us to feel that compassion from those with whom we share our earthly lives. We have likely all been embraced by someone, and have likely done the same for a friend. What a gift, then, to have experienced comfort even amidst Earth's trials! But even more, we acknowledge that even these reassuring gestures we receive from our families and friends do not match the power of those from Christ, for He gives us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist every single day, and without fail! How blessed are we, as Catholics, to have such a comforting Friend who is never going to abandon us.

I was drawn to this quote above by St. Claude for its imagery; it's a thought I am confident can provide solace in any circumstance we face. Just imagining Christ's reassuring face, His affections, and His comforting Wisdom, is enough to lessen anxieties and fears and to bring about peace. Because of this, let us not only thank Him for the blessings of life, but also for those thorns which draw us to Him in need; trials are not meant to tear us apart or to torture us, but are rather challenges that motivate us to rely on Him who comforts us in all things. In this way, we find solace through our deepest struggles, and gain greater insight and appreciation for His plan, manifested within each of our lives.

Praise God for His comforting peace!