In his IX catechism on the theme of spiritual discernment, Pope Francis explained the important factor of consolation, which leads us into an intimate relationship with God. The Pope also recalled that we must distinguish between true consolation and false consolation, which “thinking only of itself”.
(Vatican News Network) consolation, this light of the heart allows us to “see the presence of God in all things”, even in pain and in the most difficult situations. On the morning of November 23, Pope Francis presided over the Wednesday public audience, and clarified the aforementioned ideas in the ninth catechism on spiritual discernment. This time the theme is “The consolation of God”. Consolation is an important factor, the Pope observed, but we cannot take it “for granted, because it would lead to misunderstandings”.
“Consolation is a profound experience of inner joy, which allows people to see God’s presence in all things; consolation increases faith and hope, and also increases the ability to do good. People in consolation they do not bow their heads in the face of difficulties, because the peace they experience is stronger than the trials they experience”.
Consolation, the Pope explained, “is a great gift for the spiritual life and for life in general”. It is “an inner activity that touches us deeply”, but, as Saint Ignatius x Loyola said, it is “inconspicuous, but like succulent, sweet, calm drops on a sponge” (cf. “Esercizi spirituali” 335). Whoever receives the consolation “feels immersed in the presence of God” who “does not force our will”; consolation is by no means a “momentary pleasure, but, on the contrary, as we have seen, pain, i.e. pain. because even our own sins can be a source of consolation”.
The Pope recalled the experience of Saint Augustine “who speaks to his mother Monica of the beauty of eternal life”, the absolute joy of Saint Francis despite having to endure very difficult circumstances, and the many saints who “know how to do great things, not because they believe themselves capable or great, but because they are overwhelmed by the calm sweetness of God’s love». This peace is what St. Ignatius “felt after reading the lives of the saints” and “experienced after the conversion of Edith Stein”. A year after her baptism, he spoke of the “new life” that filled her.
Consolation, the Pope said, “first of all looks to hope, tends to the future, and allows us to set out to achieve what has been postponed up to now”. “Consolation cannot ‘fly’, it cannot be programmed at will, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit: it allows one to establish an intimate relationship with God, and seems to eliminate distance”.
The Pope cited the example of Saint Teresa, who “felt a tender feeling for God, which made her boldly desire to participate in his life, to do what is pleasing to him, to be able to feel close to him, to feel that His home is our home, where we feel accepted, loved and rejuvenated.”
However, the pope also mentioned the danger of “false consolation”. This is similar to the case of “man-made products: there are originals and there are imitations”. “If true consolation is like a drop of water on a sponge, sweet and graceful, its imitation is stronger and more conspicuous, a fire lit on straw, unstable, thinking only of itself, not caring for others. False comforts that ultimately leave us empty, away from the center of our being.”
This is why discernment is important, “even when we are consoled”. Because “false comfort can become a danger, if we seek it as an end we forget God”. Here the Pope quotes Saint Bernard: “We seek the comfort of God, not the God who comforts us”. In his catechism last Wednesday, the Pope cited the mind of a child as an example, saying that he “looks for parents only to get something from them, not to find them on his own”.
The pope concluded: “We too run the risk of being children of God, reducing him to an object that we use and consume, and of losing him, the most beautiful gift”.
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