Make a Difference to our World- Show Compassion 

We are continuing to learn about the value of COMPASSION at St Mary’s

True compassion leads us to ask: “What is the ‘cause’ of another’s suffering?” We need to do more than just notice that he/she is suffering. If I say that it is terrible that someone else suffers, no matter what the reason, I separate the suffering from the cause of the suffering. Compassion calls me to be aware of AND present with the sufferer.

Many assume that if they cannot offer efficient help, presence is meaningless. How often do we meet people who are suffering deeply– physically or psychologically – who feel alone and abandoned? Loneliness added to suffering is particularly cruel. There is no one to sit with them, to hold their hand, and make them feel that, even though you cannot relieve them, their suffering is spiritually shared. The very presence of a compassionate person communicates a loving message: “you should know that I feel your suffering in my heart. Not only am I suffering with you but my inability to relieve your pain causes me grief.”

When Jesus was praying in the garden before he was arrested, he knew he would be crucified. How he must have been suffering. Yet his disciples who he asked to be with him were sound asleep. “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?” Mt:26-40

There are degrees of compassion, depending upon our closeness to the person suffering. A mother’s compassion for her suffering child can make her utter words such as: “I wish I could take your pain upon myself and suffer in your place.” This must have been what Jesus’ mother felt when looking at Jesus dying on the cross. She was totally incapable of doing anything to relieve her Beloved Son’s torture. Her response was to ask for the grace of feeling His suffering as much as a creature could do. Many authors have said about Mary – ‘no human suffering, fearful as it might be, could be compared to what she experienced standing at the foot of the cross.’

We look to Mary as a perfect example of faith, courage and compassion. At St Mary’s School, we ask her to pray for us at every morning assembly “Mary, mother of Jesus, Pray for us.”

Mary our mother,

Pray for us

That we may look at one another

With kind, loving eyes

And with hearts and minds filled with compassion

That we might let the love of Jesus

Live in our school, our home, our community

and the world

Amen