The Gift of Compassion
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
—Dalai
Lama (b. 1935), a monk of the Gelug School.
Compassion is a form of love that is aroused when we are faced
with those who are suffering or vulnerable.
The Hebrew and Greek words – “rachuwm” and “splanchnisoma” are at times
translated as “compassion.” Other
broader meanings are “to show pity” and “to show mercy.” Synonyms in the English language are “to be
loved by,” “to show concern for,” “to be tender-hearted,” and “to act
kindly.” All these terms help with our
expressions concerning how we should pray.
Rumi (1207–1273), a Persian Muslim
theologian said, “Great can be a garden
of compassion. If you keep your heart
open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s
search for love and wisdom.” Yet,
some of us are brought to our knees when we suffer. Strange as it may seem such pain might provide
relief, insight, and dependence on God.
In the New Testament believers learn about a compassionate
God. This is shown through the ministry
of Jesus Christ with his flock (Mt. 9:36; Mk. 6:34). Jesus encountered crowds, of sick, and hungry
people. Luke speaks about how a father
was moved with compassion when he encountered his wayward son (Lk. 15:20). God will accept backsliders when they repent
and return to the fold. But how should people
pray? Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965), a French-German
theologian wrote, “The purpose of human
life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” Believers should do such deeds by feeding the
poor, working in soup kitchens, and clothing the naked. These ministries call for dedication while
showing love to the afflicted. People should
make compassion an integral part of their lifestyle (Zech. 7:9). As Daniel Goleman (b. 1946), a psychologist said,
“True compassion means not only feeling
another’s pain but also being moved to help relieve it.”
Reach Out in Prayer
But what must believers do?
Radhanath Swami (b. 1950), a community builder wrote, “Religion is meant to teach us true
spiritual human character. It is meant
for self-transformation. It is meant to
transform anxiety into peace, arrogance into humility, envy into compassion, to
awaken the pure soul in man and his love for the Source, which is God.” Desmond Tutu (1931–2021), a South
African Anglican bishop further said, “God’s
dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we
are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.” When people pray for guidance in their quest
is to be free they should embrace compassion.
God is full of compassion and gracious (Ps. 78:38; 86:15;
111:4). Jesus taught that people should
extend this gift to the whole human race (Mt. 5:43-48; Lk 10:30-37). As St. Stephen (d. 36 A.D.), the first martyr
said, “You desire that which exceeds my
humble powers, but I trust in the compassion and mercy of the All-powerful
God.” People are therefore reminded
by St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182–1226), an Italian Roman
Catholic preacher who wrote, “If you have
men who will exclude any of God’s
creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will
deal likewise with their fellow men.” Being
compassionate should never be viewed as a weakness, but as a special gift from
God.
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