Prayer of St. Francis - Verse 8

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek, to be consoled as to console;” 

This week we focus on the 8th verse of the St. Francis Prayer, where we continue our efforts of being an instrument in the hands of God. Our marital commitment to one another is based on a covenantal promise to be a helpmate to one another in good and difficult times. We make a vow to walk the difficult journey of life together and to help each other bear the load of raising children, caring for each other, and being Christ’s light to the world.

At times, this life’s journey can be rough and filled with trials. These times of distress can also bring about moments of grief and sorrow that may end up being lengthy and arduous. Consolation, in these times, does not come from just trying to find our way back to a happy state, but rather it is found through our willingness to walk together, side-by-side, as healing is found through mourning what was, and eventually building what ‘will be.’ Walking this road can even be harder, when both spouses have to ‘set aside’ their own grief in order to console their child who may also suffering.

We all long to be consoled in those times of loss and to not feel abandoned or alone. When we seek to console one another regularly in the smaller disappointments, we slowly build up a pattern that will benefit us in consoling one another in the deeper moments of distress. However, don’t do it alone. Ask the Divine Master to grant you the grace to be the comforter your spouse needs.    

ACTION STEP: This week, open your heart to consoling your spouse in the little disappointments of life, and continue to build the capacity to do the same when the bigger struggles occur.