Sympathy, empathy, compassion what do these words mean? Sympathy is one we most certainly recognize as having pity or sorrow for someone. Of course, empathy means you have walked the same path, perhaps had the same experience and are able to re-count this shared event with feeling and understanding. Compassion is the term most easily attributed to our Lord.  It is the ability to extend kindness, patience and comfort.  Wasn’t that His ministry on this earth? He loved, healed, taught and rescued those He encountered during his three years of teaching and traveling. How did our Lord show kindness? He attended a wedding and the bridal family ran out of wine, His mother asked Him if He could help their friends. This we know to be His first miracle, an act of kindness, changing water into wine.  Could we give a hug, a smile, a text or call to check in with family or friends?  Yes, we could! That’s kindness simplified.

Did our Lord have patience?  Think of the eclectic group of disciples He had gathered. Yes, He showed daily patience as they grew in their faith, stumbled, grumbled and continued to learn from Him. Could we count to ten before we threw out a negative response or criticized?  Yes, we could allow the Lord to close our lips from mean-spirited retorts. When our plans don’t fall into place easily, patience reaps calmness and a clearer vision.

Did our Lord extend comfort?  Was He consoling and comforting even as He hung on the cross, asking John to care for His mother, Mary? Are we able to comfort others with time spent with them, a meal when needed, a hug?  Yes, we can extend ourselves to comfort others in their times of need.

Compassion.  As our God loves us unconditionally, may we develop into compassionate followers of His Word.  Go in peace, serve others compassionately, as you serve our Lord.

Jill