Being Compassionate When it’s Hard to Feel Compassion

A reflection offered by parishioner, Sally Campbell

Compassion. It seems easy enough. You see someone in pain, you recognize their suffering and you want to do something to help. It’s part of being human. In their book Made for Goodness, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Rev. Mpho Tutu tell us that through our creation we are hardwired for goodness.

So, when I watch the news and see mass killings, images of innocent civilians in war-torn countries or a parent holding a starving child in a refugee camp it’s no wonder that I feel compassion. But at the same time I feel such anger toward the people who cause this pain. It’s understandable. But is it right?

In the same book we are told:

God’s heart aches when we are persecuted but remember that he equally loves our persecutor as he does us.

If God loves people who do horrible cruel things, does that mean I should feel compassion for them too?

Archbishop Tutu answers this question in a reflection on his experience with The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa:

Theology reminded me that, however diabolical the act, it did not turn the perpetrator into a demon. We had to distinguish between the deed and the perpetrator, between the sinner and the sin, to hate and condemn the sin while being filled with compassion for the sinner. (emphasis added)

In my heart I know the wise Archbishop is right. But how do I do this? How do I turn away my feelings of anger and replace them with compassion toward someone who commits atrocities?

I’ve been struggling with this question long before Epiphany began this Lenten journey and I hoped that writing this Hump Day Message would lead me to an answer. A few days ago I remembered what a friend told me. I asked him what one person could possibly do to help relieve the suffering in the world. His reply has stayed with me all these years:

Sally, you can always pray.

So, I will try to pray for invading soldiers, for mass shooters, for terrorists and those who exploit the innocent. I will pray that God turns their hearts. Archbishop Tutu says that God hopes until the very last breath is taken that the sinner’s heart will be turned. If that’s what God hopes for, I should be able to pray for it too.

Starting TONIGHT and every Wednesday night in March from 7 – 8:00/8:30 PM through Lent: Adult Learning Series with John Rybicki

in person or on Zoom

“A God of Compassion throughout Scripture”

Room 146 or on Zoom

Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84973519512?pwd=elAwOEVIZlZRL2p6aDNZS3dKVFlhQT09

Meeting ID: 849 7351 9512

Passcode: 779218

Dial In: 301 715 8592

Worship every Sunday at 10am, in person and live streamed!