When we use words like compassion we think it means to have empathy and show love through a hug or say “you’re in my prayers.” The truth is the word compassion means to “suffer with,” to share in someone’s suffering. This understanding of the world invokes marital vows, “for better or worse,” the worse being that you suffer with your spouse in hard times. It also reminds me of the words of the apostle, “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15). For in weeping we suffer, and when we share tears it is an act of compassion.
Perhaps the strongest image of compassion is Jesus our Lord, and Simon Cyrene. The Romans compelled Simon help Jesus carry His cross because He had become so weak from the flogging, “And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26). Simon lived the most literal form of compassion, sharing in Christ’s Passion by bearing the suffering weight of the cross. What a powerful model for us as Christians, that we are called to share in Christ’s sufferings, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed,” (1 Peter 4:13), “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him, (Roman 8:17), and to share in each others sufferings, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it,” (1 Corinthians 12:26), and “share one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). We arn’t suppose to just say “be well,” or “I’ll pray for you,” but to take up a cross, whatever it is that our brother and sister is going through, and share in it. This is love, and it is intimacy, it brings us closer to that person in a way nothing but sharing suffering (compassion) does. It also makes that person feel known, and that you care, because instead of platitudes and the promise of prayers, you sat with them in their Gethsemane or stood with them at their Golgotha. In fact that is what Jesus wanted of His disciples, “couldn’t you stay awake with me a little while?” (Matthew 26:40). He wanted their compassion, to share in His anguish.
Compassion is about sharing our sorrows, woes, and sufferings. It is to be there for one another. Sometimes it may literally mean helping someone pick up a cross of hardship, or it maybe something in their soul that torments them that you share by listening to it, and comforting them. However the passion manifests, we need to be ready to offers our arms like Simon Cyrene, if even its only our ears or presence. This is the call of being a Christian, yes to preach the gospel, but to also live it. Amen.
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