This morning, I (Clare) awoke to these words, “A great nation is a compassionate nation.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
The Latin root of the word, compassiom, is pati, which means “to suffer.” The prefix , com-, means “with.” Simply put, we must know our neighbor’s pain today and learn to suffer with our neighbor.
We will not be a great nation unless we see our neighbor, and ask our neighbor, “what’s it like to be you right now?” Then we must listen, really listen and “bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
It is to our peril when we want things to “just be over.” It is simplistic to ask people to “just be kind.” Our self-focused mentality, while our nation’s divide is more significant than ever, is heartbreaking. I most certainly will rise with hope… but today, I will grieve with others. I must enter the suffering of others to become like Christ, indeed.
Let us know how we can pray for you…for our world.