The word compassion

The word compassion comes from two Latin words, suffer and with . To show compassion means to suffer with someone, to enter into a persons situation and become involved in that persons suffering. Compassion is not a theoretical attitude, put a practical involvement. It involves doing, not just thinking or saying. A compassionate response to suffering requires that one be moved by the suffering of the other, act to remove the immediate effects of the suffering, and respond at length to correct the structures which may have given rise to the suffering itself.

We see this practical aspect of compassion supremely in Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 29-37). A traveler was attacked, stripped, beaten and robbed, and left half dead beside the roadside by his assailants. Two professional religious people - a priest and a Levite - happened to be traveling by that same road later in the day. Seeing the injured victim, they refused to get involved and passed by on the other side.
Then a Samaritan traveler - a despised person of mixed-race - came that way. When he saw the wounded man by the side of the road, he had compassion on him and gave practical assistance to help the victim. Risking being attacked himself if the robbers were still lurking nearby, the Samaritan got involved in a series of practical actions. He bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his own animal, brought to him to an inn, arranged for him to be cared for, and paid the cost of his accommodation.

Jesus whole point in this parable is to underline the importance of practical compassion. Which of these three, Jesus asked the lawyer to whom he told the parable, do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The lawyer replied, The one who showed him mercy. Go and do likewise, says Jesus.

But the simple truth is that compassion is not always a Christian virtue. Some well meaning Christians, truly believe that Jesus expects them to be compassionate, and they may truly believe that they are a compassionate person. And then out of their mouth flows dark waters as they begin to gossip and perceived misdeed of another. Or out right condemn another persons actions, or beliefs. Or they may take their so called compassion and reserve it for only those they deem worthy of it. In other words, those that believe as they do, that attend the same denominational church as they do. All others, that dare to call themselves Christians are viewed as either living in sin and in need of redemption, redemption that is only available for them, if they bow to the truth, the truth that only their church particular denominations possesses.

I lost count of all the times I was accused of not having enough faith simple because I battled a chronic illness that was an ever present reality in my life. Accusations like: “ if you would stop confessing that you have Crohns Disease, then God would cure you.you are only bring this illness upon you because you have allowed this illness to enter you life through your own words of confession. The reason I am healthy and strong is because I refused to allow any kind of illness into my life. When all was said and done, I once fallowed this belief to the letter. I never confessed out loud that I was ill. It changed nothing and left me feeling isolated and alone in my struggle with this disease. It also keep me from seeking treatment. But no amount of confession and standing of faith in my being cured could keep my hubby from picking up the phone and calling an ambulance every time he found me face down on the bathroom floor.

Once I accepted my illness and the reality of it in my life. I found the freedom to deepen my relationship with the Lord. My faith in Him has grow despite the fact that I wake up each morning to chronic nausea.. I have found a sense of purpose in my illness as I find self reaching out to other Christians and not Christians alike , planting in their life a seed of Hope… It is possible to live a full and happy life , when you have Crohn’s disease or any other illness that plagues your life. Understanding this simple truth has given my heart a deep boost of compassion for myself and for others.

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