Compassion is a Good Place to Start

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that compassion is the most important characteristic of God and the quality that most fully reveals to us who God is. He said that God’s power is a power of compassion, and that we who are made in the image of God are most like God when we show compassion. This is one way of understanding the crowd’s proclamation about Jesus at the end of today’s gospel (Luke 7:11-17): “God has visited his people.” God continues to visit his people when we extend to others—especially the most distraught and desolate—the compassion that God in Christ has shown to us.  If we start with compassion, who knows what miracles might follow?  Maybe faith?

Having faith in God will help us in life to answer our prayers, comfort us in times of need, and help us celebrate in times of joyfulness. But what is the real meaning of faith, and why is it necessary to have a strong faith in our lives?

“Of mercy and judgment I will sing; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.”  (Psalms 101:1)

This psalm gives us direction to help us find our faith in God.  In order to find and strengthen our faith, we must be loving and make good choices and judgments. Without this, our song of faith would not be full of melodious and beautiful sounds. Instead, it would be lacking in the right pitch or tune.

In the end, the trust that we have placed in God depends on the strength of our faith that we have in him. Again, in today’s gospel Jesus performed one of his many miracles in bringing the dead to life.  This is a very powerful gospel to those who are mourning the death of a loved one.  It illustrates Jesus’ comforting touch to the woman who had just lost her only son.  Anyone who has lost a loved one can empathize with the widow at Nain.  I know I can.   Jesus’ healing touch in Luke’s gospel comforts me to know that, with a strong faith, I can be confident that my grandparents, my mom and dad and the brothers who have preceded me to their homecoming with Jesus continue to walk with me every day.  In fact, I think of them often and sometimes ask for their intercession when I’m having a particularly frustrating day. 

We can bring the “healing touch” of Jesus to others through our witness of our faith in Him.  I have experienced this first-hand on many occasions; I’m sure you have, too.  How many times have you cheered up someone who was “down”, by simply listening to and praying with them?  Lots of times, I bet.  It’s just that we don’t recognize Jesus working through us in this way most of the time.  

Faith is an important aspect of life that not only helps us get past the hardships that we all endure, but also lets us celebrate the beautiful lives that we live. A question to ask ourselves is, “Do we truly have faith in God and what can we do to strengthen our faith?”