WATCHWORD:
But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1 John 3:17
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8
Meditation:
Compassion II
Father Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, writes that God, in the form of Jesus Christ, comes to us disguised as our living, breathing life. Our willingness to find God in our own struggles with life, and to let it change us, is our deepest, truest obedience to God’s eternal will.
Robert Lax, an American poet and close friend of Thomas Merton, wrote on the subject of compassion and unconditional love: “Love is the bottom line. Everything is here because of love. That is why we were created – to love. Love keeps things going, not just for now, but forever. Love gives life and makes sure that what’s around today will be around tomorrow. It is all about compassion.”
Jesus arrives among us and never leaves. His purpose goes beyond forgiveness. His purpose is to dwell with us and within us, to grace us with His peace, so rich and deep that we cannot fully understand. That is Divine Love. It is because of that love, that God took on human form and dwelt among us. That means that there is no part of the human experience that cannot be enfolded in His Divine Love. The statement that it’s “all about compassion” is one of His truths to live by. It is a Holy mystery for which we all need to find ways to live out in our personal lives.
When we are commanded to “Love your neighbor as I have Loved you,” we need to believe that “neighbor” is broadly defined to embrace all. It is a big order, my friends, but no one has ever said that walking with Christ would be easy. He ministered around the Sea of Galilee, along the Jordan and up that hill called Calvary, and it was sometimes a rough and dangerous road, that occasionally led to discouragement, death and, then, life!
The road that Christ trod is ours when we follow Him, accept for one thing — the Calvary experience. We have our Calvary at the start of our “walk” with Him, dying to self. Now we are left with loving others, reaching out, following Him with compassion and unconditional love in every aspect of life. And we know that we can do all that He asks of us, through the strength that He gives through His graces. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
“O Lord of Kindness, You made us a lovely and compassionate child by teaching your principles. However, many of your children have lost their way and spreading violence and hatred in society. Please Guide them, Lord; show them the right path by filling their hearts with kindness and brotherhood. Let your peace spread throughout the world. Amen.”
