In reading the Acts of the Apostles recently, it touched me how often the early Christians spoke words of encouragement to one another (Acts 14:22, 15:32, 16:40, 18:23, 18:27, 20:1-2).  In Acts 14:22, for example, Paul and Barnabas “put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith, saying, ‘We must all experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God.’”  Likewise, in Acts 20:1-2, St. Paul sent for the disciples and spoke “many words of encouragement” to them.  We also are called to do the same every day.    

Our words are important.  They have a huge impact on our relationships—with God, one another, and ourselves.  God listens to every word that is spoken, and even what is said in secret has repercussions (Wisdom 1:6-7, 11).  “Thoughtless words can wound like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).  Kindly words make the heart glad; they are “a honeycomb, sweet to the taste, wholesome to the body” (Proverbs 12:25, 16:24).  Therefore, the Scriptures instruct us to restrain ourselves from finding fault (Wisdom 1:11); “do not temper your favors with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.  Does not dew relieve the heat?  In the same way a word is worth more than a gift” (Sirach 18:15-16).

Dear brothers and sisters, let us then keep encouraging one another every day (Hebrews 3:13), making our words for the improvement of others, as occasion offers, and doing good to our listeners (Ephesians 4:29).  May we always seek the ways that lead to peace and in which we can support one another (Romans 14:19).  “Let us never slacken in doing good; for if we do not give up, we shall have our harvest in due time.  So then, as long as we have the opportunity let all our actions be for the good of everybody, and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).  

We are called to encourage one another to grow in faith through perseverance.  In Philippians 1:25, St. Paul said, “I shall stay and stand by you all, to encourage your advance and your joy in the faith.”  Likewise, Timothy was sent to the Thessalonians to keep them firm and encourage them about their faith, to prevent them from being unsettled by hardships (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3).  Jude also explained that the purpose of his letter was to encourage his brothers and sisters in Christ “to fight hard for the faith” (Jude 3).

We are also called to encourage one another through love.  “While knowledge puffs up, love is what builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).  In his letter to Philemon, St. Paul wrote, “I have received much joy and encouragement by your love; you have set the hearts of God’s holy people at rest” (Philemon 7).  Similarly, although he was “beset by hardship on all sides,” St. Paul experienced great encouragement from God through the arrival of Titus, who told him of the Corinthians’ desire to see him and how sorry and concerned they were for him  (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).       

Suffering and hardship provide a special opportunity for encouragement.  St. Paul explained that God gives us “every possible encouragement” and “supports us in every hardship, so that we are able to come to the support of others,” encouraging them to bear their sufferings with perseverance (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).  “For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives; so too does the encouragement we receive through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5).  

While some have received a special grace for encouraging (Romans 12:8), the simple, yet transformative, call to encourage is not limited to only a few.  We all have sufferings.  Therefore, we all have the opportunity to encourage one another with the encouragement we have received from Christ.  In this mission, we can pray, Lord, please give me a disciple’s tongue to give a word of comfort to the weary; morning by morning, make my ear alert to listen like a disciple (Isaiah 50:4).  God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, and this includes our sufferings (Romans 8:28).

God is the source of encouragement (Romans 15:5), and He will give us the grace, love, and wisdom that we need to encourage one another (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).  When we cooperate with His grace and remain in Him—through the Word (Acts 20:32; Romans 15:4), prayer, and the Sacraments—His life, light, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit will flow from within us to one another, bringing encouragement and changing lives! 

To end then, brothers and sisters, we wish you joy; try to grow perfect; encourage one another; have a common mind and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11