Chapter 1 ~ Compassion: Love in Action
Questions- What passion does your child possess that could be nurtured into an active compassion? What passions of your own could be focused outward?
- When have you heard "love" expressed in a way that might not be very loving in spirit? How might you reframe that perspective and shape it into something more life-giving?
- Where do you meet your greatest challenge to compassionate living?
- How does your church, family, or local community engage in acts of compassion? Do you see evidence of this practice or activity in the world around you?
2 comments:
p.16 "...Real love is not about deserving" is the key point as illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. It is an excellent example of the two ways that can act to transform the world into a compassionate community. The father models a merciful, forgiving attitude toward the wayward son, who is asking for compassion and help in becoming a better person. The brother displays the vindictive, punishing view of the world; that of, his brother paying for his "sin." The brother will not be transformed with this attitude. There will be no ripple effect of making the world into a community of caring members.
We must be intentional in displaying and modeling behavior that is compassionate and
transformative.
"There's a word for love with skin on it: compassion" (p. 6).
"...compassion is work" (p. 7).
"...compassion is not a list of behaviors" (p.12).
Donna, you noted that Wathen makes her point using the prodigal son story (Luke 15:11–32 NRSV, which I copied below), where the brother thinks the prodigal deserves an "ass-kicking" while the father's way of "undeserved mercy" makes this a story of "transformative love" by his "mercy, forgiveness, radical acceptance" (p. 16). Most of us tend to agree with the brother, but the father showed compassion. That's love with skin on it.
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Post a Comment