The mood and the tone of the word "encouragement" is usually understood as of being gentle and kind in word and in action.
Another word that can be connected to encouragement is affirmation. One has the root word "firm" and the other has the root word "courage".
In the 1st reading, the word of the Lord that was addressed through the prophet Haggai to the people was certainly quite firm.
"Who is there left among you that saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? Does it seem nothing to you?"
Those are rather firm words to the people to make them take stock of their situation as they begin to lose the motivation in the rebuilding of the Temple.
But after those firm words, came words like "Courage" and "I am with you and my spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid!"
In the gospel, after Jesus had asked His disciples who they thought He was and after Peter proclaimed that He was the Christ, Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about it, and He was firm.
They could have wondered why, and then Jesus continued by telling them about His suffering and death.
It doesn't seem to sound very encouraging but the firmness of the words of Jesus would tell us that He had the courage to face His destiny.
May we also draw strength from the hard teachings of Jesus and gain courage in times of despair.