Yes, all religions have compassion as an attribute of God and of God’s desire for we humans
to live compassionate lives. But we live in a world dominated by competition and to be over
and against the other. This may come from a lack of having received compassion in our
relationships and also because of what permeates our society in becoming “number one”
above other motivations. Having compassion as an overall goal can be interpreted as a sign
of weakness.
Yes, we can make a leap of faith and believe what God in Christ expects of us since we have
experienced for ourselves God’s unconditional love and compassion. Therefore, we are asked
to offer compassion to others without falling into the trap of feeling we are weak in doing so.
Compassion means to “suffer with.” Compassion means to look on the other as another self.
It means to stop for a minute and not worry about our own survival and to put the other first
as we walk in their shoes. There are so many people and situations that deserve compassion.
We need to ask God in prayer for the grace to do what God calls us to do. Knowing that with
God’s grace we have the power to accomplish great things, our leap of faith will have results.
• Are you motivated more by competition or compassion?
• Do you believe that God can accomplish good things through you?
• Is God calling you to live a more compassionate life?
O God, give me a compassionate heart.