Compassion is at the heart of God

Throughout the Bible, we find that compassion lies at the very core of the character of God. God is consistently described as loving, merciful, and compassionate.

In the gospels, Jesus’ message is clear… ALWAYS have compassion and mercy for EVERYONE! Jesus constantly reached out to the people who were outcast, poor, sick, and the oppressed. His compassion was unconditional, it was complete, and it reflected the very nature of God.

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we are told repeatedly that God requires us to love mercy and to show mercy and compassion to one another.

We are called to live out the compassion that Jesus showed every day. We are not only to notice and feel sorry for the sick, hurt, lonely, suffering, poor and downtrodden. We are to actually reach out and ‘embrace’ them with love, and to do it without judgement and without seeking any kind of reward. To live with the mercy and compassion of God is to come to truly know and love God.

Many Christians talk about having a personal relationship with God and describe this relationship as giving meaning, purpose and joy to their lives, even in tough times. The good news is that this relationship with God is accessible here and now to everyone… it’s not simply about ‘going to heaven when we die’ but helping to bring God’s kingdom on earth with our words and actions. The great news is that the Spirit of God, freely given to all of us, empowers and strengthens us.

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah spoke about what it meant to live justly and compassionately and in doing so, to know God…

“[Josiah] did what was right and just, so all went well with him.”

“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well.”

 “Is that not what it means to know me?”

Imagine a world where leaders answered God’s call to be merciful. We might not be able to directly influence leaders to be merciful and compassionate, but we can influence what happens in our own lives and in the lives of those we come across. Who knows? It could have a ripple effect.

At St Mary’s we strive for our value of COMPASSION; and we are continually blessed by witnessing the positive effect that compassionate and merciful students have on others in the classroom and playground.