What thoughts and feelings does the word compassion bring to mind? Maybe a heartfelt sorrow for the people of the world who are being persecuted. You feel compassion for the homeless person begging on the street corner. Maybe it's for the child with a learning disability who is working so hard trying to learn to read. You feel compassion for your friend who just lost their job and may lose their home.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines compassion as: a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc. Jesus expands this definition to a much deeper level and asks us to bring his "compassion" to the world.
In Gabrielle Bossis' book, HE and I, she records the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "If you only knew what compassion really is-the compassion you must strive to imitate. Overlooking everything to stoop to a heart's needs, paying no attention to any disappointments or ingratitude, being even kinder to those who have hurt you. Just be your Christ for them. If you make this your intention I'll be seen in you. (HE and I, pg. 193).
Can you feel compassion for someone who has disappointed or hurt you in the past? In spite of outward behaviors or past experiences, try to look to the needs of their hearts. In order to bring the love of Christ to our neighbor (friend, family member, co-worker, stranger...) we sometimes have to press though uncomfortable feelings and forget past hurts. Know that each and everyone of us carries hurts that only Jesus fully understands. By showing compassion to our more "difficult" neighbors, we can bring the light and love of Christ to them.
References:
HE and I, Gabrielle Bossis, translated and condensed by Evelyn M. Brown, Imprimatur: Msgr.Jean-Marie Fortier, Archbishop Sherbrooke, Nov. 14, 1969, Editions MEDIASPAUL,QC
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion
Picture:Depictions of Jesus have often shown him in terms of animal-related imagery such as that of the 'good shepherd', an example being this 16th century work by Philippe de Champagne. From Wikipedia.
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