Compassion as a Basic Christian Tenet

A REFLECTION ON 30TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME (Year A)

BY  John Abraham Ayieko

posted in Rakwaro Old Boyz on 22 October 20:49

Christian Religion is a fulfillment of the hope of Judaism. Yahweh is variously quoted to have referred to himself as the ‘God of Israel’ (Ex 3:7; 4:22-23; 9:1), or even to have referred to Israel as his ‘own people’ (Ex 5:1; 7:16; 19:5-6). This concept ‘Yahweh’s people’ has, at its origin, the covenant which Yahweh had made with the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as well as the covenant he had made with Israel via Moses. The legitimacy of Israel’s claim as ‘Yahweh’s People’ is therefore solely based upon their acceptance of both the Abrahamic and the Mosaic covenants. And yet through Abraham, God’s covenant promise entails a blessing to other nations as well. This blessing promise could be considered as an inclusive aspect whereby Yahweh becomes the God of other nations. The Pentateuch with its six hundred plus laws therefore gives a special room for three categories of people; aliens, widows and orphans. For them, Israel must leave some leftovers from their fields during harvesting period (Lv 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut 24:19-21). Moreover, every third year, a tithe of all produce was to be reserved for widows, orphans, sojourners and Levites (Cf. Deut 14:28-29; 26:12-15).

Humane treatment of aliens is a special exhortation to Israel in today’s first reading. ‘You shall not oppress an alien… You shall not wrong a widow or orphan…’ (Ex 22: 21-22). After mentioning a few other social ills, Yahweh’s conclusion is even more indicative, ‘… if he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate’ (Ex 22:26).

God’s Compassion has no bounds. We are all his beloved children. His Immense Love cannot permit anything contrary. Just last Sunday, he enlisted Cyrus, King of Persia into his service (Is 45:1-6). Next Sunday, he will denounce those who have clung to the letter of the law and have failed to interpret its overriding spirit; the love of the neighbour and the love of God – in fact, precisely the logical demand that we love God in our neighbour. This is the greatest commandment (Matt 22:36-38).

The million dollar question in heaven therefore will not be whether one kept the commandments, but rather if one ever genuinely loved. A compassionate God wants mercy, NOT sacrifice (Matt 12:7). He says elsewhere, ‘…to love your neighbour and yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices’ (Mark 12:33).

Everyone in need is our neighbour. A compassionate God wishes that we imitate him who created us in his own image. Indeed, it is by compassion that the world gets to know that we are Christians, and we can never be truly close to God if we are utterly insensitive of other people’s needs. Love (read compassion) is the supreme gift of the spirit. It is the greatest of the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Love). Paul in one of his most powerful hymns speaks of Love with such passion that he declares that even with the most sublime gift of prophecy; even with so much faith as to move physical mountains, or even if we could give up everything including our bodies for sacrifice, and we have no Love; we are NOTHING! (1 Cor 13:1-3).

The last judgment will be more social than Spiritual. It will not be how dutifully we went to church, or what spiritual leaderships we earned in this life that will matter to the heavenly Jury. Our performance will be placed on a crucible of Love and Compassion. The implication is that many compassionate people who might not have professed any named faith might find themselves asking; ‘LORD, when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you; naked and clothed you?’ But the Lord will insist, ‘Come you blessed of my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ (Matt 25:34).

It is easy then to understand why St. Paul seems to emphasize the idea of mentorship to the Thessalonians. He hopes that the Christian community will serve as models (1 Thess 1:7); just as he himself had been a model to them. A model of compassion and God’s merciful love (Luke 6:36).

LET US PRAY THEN FOR SOME SHARE OF GOD’S LOVE AND COMPASSION. LET US HASTEN TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE WOULD DO WITH OUR HELP, FRIENDS, RELATIVES, WIDOWS, ALIENS… ANYBODY! THERE IS NO SURER WAY OF DRAWING CLOSER TO THE NATURE OF GOD. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS WHAT TRUE HOLINESS ENTAILS; A GENUINE LOVE OF GOD IN THE NEIGHBOUR.