Chap. 12: Women: The Story of Compassion
"The Jesus Creed is to love God and to love others. Jesus exhibits both, and love sometimes manifests itself in mercy shown to those with deep needs." the gospels show a story of compassion in 3 chapters.
- MY GRIEF IS OBSERVED BY JESUS. In the story of the widow in Luke 7:11-17, Jesus observes her compassion and her need.
- I SEE JESUS' EMOTION AND KNOW HIS EMPATHY. Jesus reacts with emotion and with empathy to people in need. In one story, the writer says "his heart went out to her."
- I AM RESTORED BY JESUS' ACTION. "When grief is observed and empathy expressed, the next stage is set: a person who loves others acts to alleviate the need. Observing grief for what it really is and emotionally empathizing with it is not enough. In the words of Frederica Mathewes-Green, compassion without action is “one of those truths that run out of gas halfway home.” The love of the Jesus Creed prompts the action of compassion."
THE CYCLE OF COMPASSION. Mother Teresa is a shining example of compassion. Her creed is simple:"The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace."
Quotes from Mcknight, Scot (2009-10-01). Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (p. 112). Paraclete Press. Kindle Edition.