compassion

  • Survival of the Compassionate

    Bartimaeus cannot see. He cannot see the beauty of the sunrise nor its setting. He cannot see that the flowers are a light lilac and the olives a deep green. He cannot see the faces of his loved ones. He can bask in the warmth of the sun. He can smell the flowers and…

  • Life in Christ, Doctrines in Paul

    Jesus tells a heartbreaking parable this Sunday. In part, it is about a wretchedly poor man. His misery is painstaking, “Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” More heartbreaking is the part about a wretchedly rich man. His misery is so painstaking he is unaware that “lying at his door was a…

  • Beyond Justice and Mercy to Compassion

    When Thomas professes a lack of faith in Jesus rising from the dead he’s actually professing faith in something else. Thomas already believes in justice and mercy, and their many gods. Justice is invented and dispensed by Militarists; chief priests, elders, Pilates, and other such gods. Their justice consists of writing unjust laws for…

  • Mercy and Compassion

    Some diversions from the Way of Peace Jesus witnesses are obvious, others more subtle. Worshipping a golden calf, today’s first reading, would fit the obvious category. Losing ourselves to a life of greed, abuse, or various superficialities would as well. What about subtle diversions? Diversions so slight we are unaware of having gone astray.…