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November 2003
Compassion
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November 2003
Compassion
It isn't often that one word can be called a basic building block for authentic living. Yet, I believe compassion is just that...the one word that describes an attitude that is necessary for living a Godly life.
Recently, in our worship service, we read Mark 4:17-29 as one of our Scripture readings. That passage tells about a man who ran up to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus reminded him of the commandments that call for moral integrity. "Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother." You can almost see the chest swelling as the man responded with great conviction that he had maintained that kind of purity from the time he was just a little boy. He must, therefore, be a cinch for God's favor. His good efforts had paid off...the moral life is all you really need to please God and be a follower of Jesus. Right? Well, not really!
Jesus saw a large gaping break in the man's relationship with God and told him he was missing one big thing: compassion. Jesus said: "Go sell all you have and give the money to the poor..." The man turned and walked away because he had many possessions and he had rather have his riches than to be a follower of Jesus even if it meant missing out on eternal life.
The man's understanding of life was really all about him and him alone. He was willing to commit to individual integrity but unwilling to commit to living a truly Godly life. The commandments he professed to have kept were intended to move followers to be Godly; to live with integrity and compassion toward others. To be Godly is not an individual moral achievement; rather, to be Godly is to reflect the cares and concerns of God for all creation, especially for all who are poor or oppressed.
How are we expressing our love of God? If it doesn't include compassion as a fundamental way of being alive, then we too are lacking something essential in our relationship with God.
Want a rich, full, and energizing relationship with God? Then, practice compassion! After all, that's what God continually gives us. Compassion is how we reflect the love of God in our world. Individual moral achievements do little to show God's love to God's troubled people. But compassion, well now, that's a more excellent way!
Grace and Peace,
David