compassion

The willingness to be fully present to someone else. The word itself comes from Latin: con patire, which means to suffer with. To show compassion, we must be aware of the suffering of others, see their pain, and be moved to alleviate their sorrow.

Compassion is the lens through which we can see ourselves in others. A hug, a prayer, a moment of silence sitting next to someone who is suffering: all of these actions say,  “I am here, I care. I may not be able to fix your problems (and you might not want me to!), but I can share your suffering. I can grieve with you. Your experience matters to me.” 

Presence is a compassionate response. It means being with someone in their difficult times, their solitude and agony, in their joy and anticipation, in the moments that matter most, without judging them in any way. 

Compassion is not the same as pity. Rather, it helps develop mutual understanding, heals broken relationships, and brings us together. Compassion is a gift of kindness that we are called to give and receive in abundance. 

Dear God,

Help me see the world through your eyes, and have a compassionate heart like yours. Give me the strength to do what is right, and follow in your footsteps. Help me open my heart, my eyes, my mind, and ears to the sorrows, joys, and hopes of the world. May I have a compassionate heart like yours, one that sees the needs of others and acts upon them. Amen. 

What does compassion look like in your family, in your neighborhood, and in your heart?