Tag: Compassion

Compassion for people with a face like flint

There is so much suffering in the world. Near and far. I think of the people in regions where there is war and terror. Many innocent people have to go through terrible things. Sometimes for a long time. A sentence from the third song of the Lord’s Servant in Isaiah comes to mind: “Therefore I have set my face like flint” (Isaiah 50:7). It is terrible when someone – in order to survive injustice and suffering – has to make their face as hard as stone. Just as Jesus did before Pontius Pilate. Normally our cheeks are soft and sensitive. I remember in my youth seeing mothers testing the temperature of their children’s milk bottles on their cheeks.

What can we, who are not affected by this fate, do when we see the suffering in the news, on social media or in our neighborhoods? At least we can let it touch our hearts. St. Paul says: “If one part suffers, all the other parts suffer with it.” (1 Cor 12:26) Let’s be compassionate! We can carry this suffering to the cross of Jesus on behalf of the suffering people. We can, like Mother Mary stand with her Son, beside the cross. As the ancient sequence Stabat Mater sings:

At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last. (…)

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm’d in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Since the suffering must remain strong and apathetic, since they cannot allow themselves to be emotional or to cry, since they must make their cheeks hard, we can at least be touched by what they are going through. We can cry for them and hope that this cry reaches heaven.

Lord, let me learn and practice compassion. Look upon all those who suffer. Give them strength, give them hope, give them people to comfort them. Let their angels be with them. Let your holy suffering be their salvation.

In need

Recently I talked with a hairdresser who was afraid to lose her job because the income of the salon had decreased dramatically amid the pandemic. Shortly before the crisis, she had moved to a more expensive apartment. Her son had stopped studying at the university because he did not like being a student and now he was working a job that did not pay well. Her second husband works as a waiter… better to say worked because the pandemic caused the restaurant to close.

The woman was desperate and courageous at the same time. She shared with me how much she was praying during the lockdown. Later, when going back to her church, she said her mask was soaked with tears. She was praying and praying and crying for help.

And the words of Jesus came into my mind: “What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:11-13)

Yes, how will you not, Lord? The woman was not afraid to show her neediness. And she was not too proud or too afraid to show it to God.

Yes, Lord, often we are in need, often we are even needy. That is ok. We are like children, just needing. Just asking and wanting. This is ok. Because you, Jesus, told us, that God is our Father, our dear Father. We are his children. We are still his children. Sure, as adults, we must stay strong and responsible every day. We cannot let ourselves surrender. However, before YOU, we can. We can become like children and just express our need. In simple words, in simple gestures. It is not immature to do that. It shows our reality. It is ok to be in need. And you will answer us as our good Father. The best Father ever, ever.

Lord, I pray for this dear woman. I pray for so many who are in big need at the moment. Bless us all.