Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Compassion Saturday, December 7, 2002 Matthew 9:35-36 35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Compassion is a wonderful word. It's Latin, from "com" meaning "with" and "pati" meaning "to suffer." American Heritage Dictionary's definition is a beauty: "the deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another, together with the inclination to give aid or support or to show mercy." If I remember to ask the good question, "What would Jesus do?" then the answer will always include an element of compassion, being: Accepting Appreciative Benevolent Concerned Considerate Gentle Helpful Kind Perceptive Supportive Sympathetic Thoughtful Tolerant Pick a word, any word. I can't go wrong. Doing what Jesus did starts with absolutely refusing to be selfish, and instead finding any way I can to get into the other person's skin, into their shoes, see things their way. After that, compassion comes quickly, it's nearly natural, it's human nature. Father I am harassed and helpless, and so are those around me. I come to you to be made new, made gentle again, made in your image. Mold me and shape me. "; Add      Edit    Delete