Coyans in the Czech Republic

cultivating virtue

compassion

"There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill - I'll pay you on my way back.' "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?" "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

Luke 10:30-35

Yesterday we began our study of the virtue of compassion. Encompassed within this is mercy, love and forgiveness. We had a good discussion about how, being created in God's image, we too have a natural capacity for compassion. Often, though, it is marred by racism, pride, selfishness or a hundred other hindrences. Only looking to God, the author of compassion and His Son, the most extreme example of compassion, can we see how compassion is meant to be. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said of compassion "it is what hurries us without reflection to the relief of those who are in distress." (italics mine) Rebekah and I talked more about what to do with compassion. How to practice it in everyday life. Is it just giving money to the homeless? What of those who worry that the money will be used for drugs and alcohol? Not many people in our village are lying on the street. In fact not one have I seen. There are, of course, in the city childrens' houses for at-risk kids. Other institutions exist for housing the handicapped. After reading the story of the Good Samaritan we also discussed how this relates to our time and situation. This one is easier to answer. Here the despised people group is the Roma (Gypsies). Would a Czech help a Rom? Who would we disdain to help? Our first day on compassion raised more questions than answers, for I don't want to merely say, "Let's love our neighbor." and end it there. I want us to really work through this and have it change our heart from the inside out. God has saved us because of His great mercy and compassion for us. Jesus has died on the cross because of His love and compassion. This virtue deserves alot of pondering...

"What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult to each other?" George Eliot