The Gift of Companion

“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper suited to him.”

(Genesis 2:18)

No one is an island. To live a fuller life, we need true companions.

I am not saying that suffering is good but I am grateful for it—because going through dark times has helped me realize how deeply God loves me. He actively works in me through the companions He has sent into my life.

A true companion is someone who listens without judgment, walks beside me, shares my pain, and gently touches my wounds. In their presence, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am able to:

•Identify sorrow

Imagine walking with Mother Mary on the way to Golgotha.

-"Mother! I am hurt.” I whispered, focus on my feeling.

In that moment, it felt as if no one else existed—just me, me, and me. How bitter and harsh that loneliness was! I wanted to run away. I didn’t want to think about it anymore.

-"Mary! Do you hear?”

In silence, Mary gazed at me:

-"Yes, I heard you. It’s hard.”

I felt a warmth as she gently patted my shoulder. In her tender eye, I saw an open door inviting me to unpack my sadness.

As time passed, the heavy stones on my shoulder were lifted. I could stand and breath again. Someone truly cared and was there for me.

• Experience God’s love by contemplating His gifts although it is the one I did not desire

We continue to have our heart-to-heart conversations as we continued our walk. I began to understand that, as a loving mother, seeing her son was betrayed, humiliated, and beaten by the people who he loved was like having the sharpest sword pierce her own heart. Yet, she transformed her wound into gift of compassion and sympathy for others. Her pierced heart became the place where love grew. Her wound was transformed into grace that gave Mary the courage to accept the calling to be the mother of the world.

Picturing all the sorrow and suffering that Mother Mary has carried, I realize there are no words to describe them. I can only be grateful for her love. This reminds me of my own calling. Gradually, I begin to understand Father Henri Nouwen’s words in The Wounded Healer: “Whether we try to enter into a dislocated world, relate to a convulsive generation, or speak to a dying person, our service will not be perceived as authentic unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering about which we speak."

• Mother Mary, a true model of spiritual companion for the world.

The death of my loving Jesus Christ on the Cross, and the sorrow of Mother Mary, are not in vain—They lead to resurrection. After years of struggle, I know that I am loved. With awareness and gratitude for all that has happened in my life, now I have desire to give.

Yet as we grow in the spiritual life, we must be careful in pursuing our calling. What we do is not merely a way of repaying God’s love, but also fulfilling our dream. It is my dream to help others to recognize God’s love and presence in our life.

Still, as human beings, we are weak and fragile. We need help.

Thank you, Lord for giving us a precious gift—Mary: a mother, a friend, and a wonderful spiritual companion.

Pondering

When facing hardship, we often need help to identify the burden, to find purpose in that particular moment, and to recognize the love of God in our lives. In such times, which friend do you reach out to?

ThuyHuong, Sep 20/2025