Compassion is Part of Love
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them. (Matthew 9:36 KJV)
Jesus showed compassion to others and taught that His followers should be compassionate as well. Compassion is having a strong feeling about someone else’s situation or state, and doing something to change it. It’s about making things better for someone in need. It’s not compassion if there isn’t some action taken. In some cases that might mean holding or hugging someone, praying for them, gently speaking with them, and conveying your sorrow or concern.
It can also mean taking action which aims to change the situation or circumstances. It can mean putting in time and effort to feed the hungry, help orphans, visit the sick or those in mourning, share the gospel with others, or other ways of helping those in need.
Compassion is closely aligned with empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, and to put yourself in their shoes so that you understand what they are going through from their perspective. Having empathy can move you to compassion. It’s easy in our busy lives to not notice others who are struggling and in need, and to be preoccupied with our personal needs, problems, worries, and fears.
It helps to ponder Jesus’ ministry. He saw people in need—the blind, the hungry, the mourning, the sick, the social outcasts—and instead of looking the other way and passing by, He noticed, stopped, and took action. In short, compassion is part of love [1]
We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God. - Saint Vincent de Paul
[1] Anchor Christian Compassion
