Let’s face it. We are a society motivated by competition. We see it in our schools, in our
politics, in our relationship with other nations, in our sports, and in all aspects of life when
what we do is primarily done to receive an award.
What the Church needs to ask, is competition a part of what it means to be Christian? If we
are honest, we must admit that competition was not part of Jesus’ message or of how he
lived his life to carry out his mission of bringing about the reign of God. In fact, he criticized
his Apostles when they seemed to be concerned about who would have the higher places in
his kingdom. He is known to have said, “Those who are first will be last, and those who are
last will be first.”
Jesus’ life was motivated by compassion. He was constantly healing those who were
physically sick, those who were confused about their purpose in life, and forgiving those who
were sinners. Jesus was a prophet. When he said, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is
perfect,” he meant, as some biblical scholars have said, “Be compassionate as your heavenly
Father is compassionate.” How can we make compassion the center of our lives? If we have
received God’s compassion in our human weakness, we are most ready to pass it on to
others.
- How much of your life is motivated by competition?
- Have you received God’s compassion in a significant way?
- What part does compassion play in your relationships?
O God, help me show compassion to others in the way you have shown it to me.