DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd went with Him.  As He approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized the people in the crowd; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about Him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. – Luke 7:11-17

Through the years of my pastoral service, I experienced what Jesus experienced here at Nain.  When I saw a family member weeping, a rush of compassion overwhelmed me.  As if by instinct, without much thought given to it, I would embrace the family.  And when it was time to conduct the funeral, again by instinct, I would then pause and touch the casket.  I don’t know why.  Possibly to take away a bit of the fear of death, possibly to exemplify steady courage to the family, trying to encourage them, possibly to allow my compassion its yearning to touch.

The life of Christ was marked by compassion.  And then I would assume, those of us who believe that Christ lives within us and through us ought also to be marked by compassion.  Yet, I have experienced some declared Christians who feel not compassionate much at all.  And I find … I have compassion for persons such as them.

Loved Ones, if a doctrine or a dogma or a cause diminishes your Christ-like compassion … it is time to kneel in prayer.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz