Bishop Eric Menees
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)
The Spiritual Gift of Compassion is
a gift that truly characterizes Christians and distinguishes us from the world.
We are, all of us, called to follow Jesus’ example of being compassionate, but
there are those of us who are endued by the Holy Spirit with an extra dose of
compassion and a zeal to love and serve those who suffer; who are outcasts; who
are alone.
Mr. Webster tells us that the
origin of the modern word “Compassion” comes to us through Middle English, by
way of Old French and ecclesiastical Latin compassio(n-),
from Late Latin compati, meaning to ‘suffer with.’
The one with the gift of Compassion
sees the suffering in the world around them and is given the desire and ability
to speak hope and grace into that suffering.
When I think of the Spiritual Gift
of Compassion, I think of the death of a former parishioner – Stasia Sterret.
Stacia was a widow of about five years before I came to the church. When Stasia
took ill, there was no one left in the family who could assist her, and for a
week parishioners held a vigil with Stasia in the hospital - 24 hours a day -
singing hymns, praying the psalms, and holding her hand. These people
demonstrated the Spiritual Gift of Compassion. The thought of her dying alone
was too much, and so they gave of their time, their hearts and their souls.
Stasia died peacefully with two sisters in Christ by her side. The impact
of their compassion on the church and on the hospital staff was evident for
years to come – not to mention the grace given to a dying sister in Christ.
Those who have the Gift of
Compassion recognize those who are hurting and are moved to be with them – to
assist in any way possible. Those with this gift cannot take the suffering
away, but they are willing to suffer with them. These are the men and women who
go into the trenches to lift the head and heart of a broken soul.
Thanks be to God for those who have
this gift; for those who by vocation and profession are there day in and day
out, loving and caring. The unofficial prayer for this ministry is captured in
the service of Evening Prayer:
“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those
who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those
who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying,
soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your
love’s sake. Amen.”
May the Lord bless and keep you
all!
Catechism Questions 159 - 161
159. How does
the Lord’s Prayer give you a pattern for prayer?
The Lord’s Prayer models the
primary elements of fellowship with God: praise of God, acceptance of his rule
and will, petition for his provision, confession of my sins (here called
trespasses), forgiveness of others, avoidance of sin, and God’s protection from
evil and Satan. I should pray regularly about these things in my own words.
(Matthew 6:9)
160. What are
the parts of the Lord’s Prayer?
The Lord’s Prayer begins with an
address, makes seven petitions, adds a doxology, and concludes with “Amen.”
161. Describe
the order of the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer.
As in the Ten Commandments, God’s
Glory, Name, and Kingdom precede any petitions for our personal well-being.
No comments:
Post a Comment