“God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” // 1 Corinthians 1:9
We all struggle at times to know what to say to someone who is suffering, but maybe we can gain some insight from Saint Paul in today’s First Reading about how to approach those conversations.
First, Paul introduces himself and shares that he’s called by God to share the Good News with them. He shares peace and grace to them. He admits that He thanks God on their behalf—he prays for them, and he reminds them that God is faithful.
This format was striking to me—it’s so simple and clear, and it felt like a short and sweet pep talk.
It reminds me of some of the things my closest friends have said to me when I’ve gone through difficult seasons. In-person and in text messages—sometimes along with funny memes, my friends have shared their own testimonies of faith—their witnesses, which have encouraged me and enkindled my hope. They’ve prayed for me and over me. They’ve reminded me over and over again that God is faithful and that He is working here and now. And these messages—on their own and altogether—are powerful.
When we don’t know what to say, let us go back to this letter from Paul and find the words from there to echo his message of hope, grace, and peace, and the reminder of God’s faithfulness.
God is faithful and that He is working here and now. // Annie DeddensClick to tweet
Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.
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