Compassion

Compassion is an extension of the commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." It is a putting ourselves in the shoes of another, a"suffering with", yes, but also a "rejoicing with". It is seeing the good in the other, loving it, loving the person, loving the Giver of that goodness; it is, in a sense, becoming one with that person, whose accomplishments, successes, joys, failures, sorrows, whatever, become ours. St. Paul urges us, "Love on another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation" (Romans 12: 16). Has not God loved us so? Has not God had this compassion for us? When Jesus saw the hungry crowds and fed them, was he not bonded to them even in hunger? Did his multiplication of the loaves and fishes not symbolize the magnanimity of his Father? In the ultimate gift, the Eucharist, not only the Bread of Life, but his Body broken for us on the Cross, we experience the height and depth of God's compassion. We bend before it in unworthiness, only to be lifted by the invitation to partake of it daily, "This is my body given for you." If we feel that we lack compassion, we can simply ask for the grace to be compassionate, remembering that "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
Bro. Rene