"Consolation is a beautiful word. It means 'to be' (con-) 'with the lonely one' (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We can and must offer consolation....To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and say, 'You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don't be afraid. I am here.' That is consolation. We all need to give it as well as to receive it." (Henri Nouwen) It is hard at times for us to just to be intentionally with another in their pain. We want to fix it or say something to take away the pain. For the most part we can't. What the person needs is our presence, walking with and sharing in the pain of the other. Mary gave us the perfect example, consoling Christ as she stood under the cross. She said nothing. Her presence spoke volumes to Jesus. Her love spoke to him. Watch for those divine appointment moments in your life provided by God for you to just be there with one who is suffering. "What you did to the least, you did to me."