I’m not naturally compassionate. Some people are naturally warm and empathetic. I tend to be a bit stand-offish, keeping my distance from others until I get to know them better. But compassion is something I want to grow in. And that’s today’s word: COMPASSION.
When I look at someone, what do I see? Do I immediately make judgments based on appearances, what I know about them, and what I’ve heard about them? Or do I immediately see them as a child of God, made in the image of the Creator? Do I make judgments about their actions, with thoughts going through my mind such as “How could they?,” “So stupid of them!,” “I would never have done that!” Or do I listen to their stories and try to learn how they got to this point in life? I’m working on the latter. I want to listen to their heart with my heart. I want to show tenderness and kindness and concern. I want to be COMPASSIONATE.
So, this Advent season, may my COMPASSION grow as I seek to follow Jesus. May I hear Jesus speak to the Samaritan woman, saying, “I can see you have no husband, in fact, you’ve had five, and the man you’re living with now is not your husband.” (John 4) Perhaps what this woman heard was, “ I see your pain. I see how you’ve been used and abused. And it doesn’t matter to me that religious protocol tells me I shouldn’t be talking to you, I care. I am the God who cares.” May I hear Jesus speaking to Zaccheus, saying something like, “I know the religious people look down on you. I know you’re caught up in the system. But I want to be your friend. I am the God who cares.” (Luke 19:1-10) May I hear Jesus speaking to the thief on the cross, “I see you. I hear you. You will be with me today in Paradise. I am the God who cares.” (Luke 23:39-43) And may I do the same!
“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment – the absolute basics! – you carelessly take it or leave it.” Mathew 23:23
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