Compassion - Some Thoughts from Pope Francis...

Some thoughts on Compassion by Pope Francis from his homily this morning..

​People need to have true compassion so they feel others' pain and are moved to help. 

Compassion is an emotion that engages, it is a feeling from the heart, from the gut affecting one's entire being. 

Compassion "is not the same as 'pity' or (saying), 'What a shame, poor people ... but leaving things as they are. 

The word "compassion" comes from "compati," which means to "suffer with," he said, and this is compassion's true meaning. 

God had compassion for his people, went to them through his son, Jesus, and restored their dignity as children of God, "recreating us all.
 
Christians must to follow Christ's example: look at reality, be moved by it and get close to those in need with the aim of restoring their dignity, welcoming them into a community, supporting them so they can live out their daily lives in a dignified way. 

Pope Francis asked that people reflect on their reaction when they read or hear news about tragedies, such as starving children, child soldiers or enslaved women. 

"Do I turn the page" and move on to tales of romance, "the soap opera that is on next?" Or "am I able to have compassion? To pray?" so that when one sees or hears about these tragedies, one's whole being is moved and "the heart suffers with these people." 
(Pope Francis – Homily at Sept. 19 during morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae)