Compassion

Word of the day – Compassion – what does it mean/examples from a faith perspective, how do I show it and how does this make me a better person and the world a better place to live?

I always like to start with definitions – from the Merriam Webster Dictionary @ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion

Compassion noun \kəm-ˈpa-shən\  

• a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc., 
• sympathetic
• consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Examples of compassion – I will cite the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy from the Catholic Faith Tradition. We start with the greatest commandment – Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Extending this notion of love to mercy in action – the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy are rooted in the bible in both the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37) and the gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 concerning the Last Judgment.

The corporal works of mercy is as follows:

• To feed the hungry;
• To give drink to the thirsty;
• To clothe the naked;
• To shelter the homeless;
• To visit the sick;
• To ransom the captive;
• To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy is as follows:

• To instruct the ignorant;
• To counsel the doubtful;
• To admonish sinners;
• To bear wrongs patiently;
• To forgive offences willingly;
• To comfort the afflicted;
• To pray for the living and the dead. 

     Putting it all together – how do I show true compassion and be a better person? First, I realize that God is love and love leads us to mercy. I do not merit God's love; but, I am given God's love freely and abundantly. My response back to God is to love Him back in the best manner I am capable of with all my human faults and frailties.

     I should express compassion, mercy, charity and love to all and especially with those closest to me. I often think many of us can fall into a myth that people like teachers, social workers, nurses and other medical professionals are somehow more compassionate and better people, perhaps even holier. I disagree and so did Bishop Sheen – work is work and charity is charity. When we are compensated for our work that is labor and work has its own rewards. This does not mean that people who have jobs where the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy are part of the required work are not doing good work. Charity, love, compassion, mercy is spiritual and holy and operates in a different realm than a job description. Compassion, charity and love comes from God and needs to be given in the same manner as God gives.

    Can I be compassionate outside of a belief in God? Yes, certainly and compassion is practiced daily in homes and at work and all kinds of public places by many on a daily basis. When others are compassionate to us we receive a blessing and are recharged to become a better human being. Compassion is one of the feelings that makes us a better version of a human being. 

 


  
 

ADVENT - A season for waiting in peace, hope, joy, love and a Sunday to rejoice

Today, Sunday, December 1, 2013, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church and the beginning of the Advent Season. The spirit of the Liturgy all through Advent is one of expectation and preparation for the feast of Christmas as well as for the second coming of Christ. Advent reminds me that God so loved me, He sent His only son to be my Savior and Lord. Jesus came to this world as a baby and was born like all human beings and was fully human and divine and the world still celebrates some 2000 years later. Whom else is celebrated after 2000 years? On the rapid think, I can think of no other human being. Sure I may read about some historical figure; but, I do not celebrate their birthday or death.

A sign of Advent is the Advent Wreath and Candles. Each candle signals a message that I am in need of and desire to send the same message to the larger world. The candles symbolize - peace, hope, joy and love. Peace, to all the people in war torn lands especially in Syria and the Ukraine. Hope to all in the Philippines devastated from Typhoon Haiyan. Joy to all who are down hearted, depressed and full of grief. Lastly, peace in my heart, peace in my family, peace in my country, peace in the world and peace to all people of goodwill.

At mass today, the first violet candle was lit. Another candle will be lit each Sunday. On Gaudete Sunday, the rose colored candle is lit. Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday) marks the halfway point of the season. Gaudete is from the Latin and means rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. (Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1). And finally all the candles will be lit. Advent will be nearing completion as the fourth candle and Sunday celebration is completed. Advent will end and the Christmas Season will begin.

 

This year like other years, I intend to celebrate and keep the Advent Season. I want to wait in hope and joy and peace and love. I want to wait patiently while in line shopping or at the gas station or doctor's office. I want to join with all the people who waited for the Messiah and all who still do not know Jesus and are waiting for Him even in their unbelief. I want to wait for Christmas; Christmas will come as God keeps His promises. I need to prepare my heart and home to receive and welcome Jesus. I will celebrate the birth of Jesus and intend to keep Christmas well. To help keep Christmas, I have been giving to the Salvation Army bell ringers. I am thankful for all that I have including that I have some to share. My life this year makes this a real witness to being thankful to God in all things. I have experienced sickness and job loose. I have also been given a great gift of physical and emotional healing. I trust in God, that a new job will also become a reality. 

 

Advent is not just that Christmas will come. It's also a foreboding of really big things that one day I will die and Jesus will receive me and welcome me into a heavenly home. Advent is also a reminder that Christ's second coming will happen. It's a time to reflect on small things like making cookies and candy and to ponder really big things like God's love and eternal life. Celebrate Advent and celebrate all the great Christian Feasts that fall during this period. Take time to prepare and make ready your home and heart. 

When I originally wrote this, I thought this was not very good and stopped writing. I believe people call it writer's block, criticism, not believing in oneself. It's not just about celebrating Advent, life is about celebrating all things great or small. It's about self-acceptance and moving forward and continuing to learn and love.

 

Fellowship of Merry Christians, Cal and Rose Samra, Jack Jewell - Name Dropping

Doing some research about Christians and humor and joy, I found Cal & Rose Samra authors of Holy Humor and other books and the Joyful Noiseletter. Jack Jewell is the artist of The Risen Christ by the Sea, a painting donated to the Fellowship of Merry Christians. Here's the deal - for over 25 years Cal and Rose Samra have been witnessing and preaching and serving a joyful, funny, laughing Christ. Most people have a story to tell and a testimony to give and their story is very intriguing. Cal, Rose, Jack and others Christian authors, artists, comedians and performers are serving Christ while laughing out loud (LOL). The jokes, quotes and blunders are good and clean and are meant to be able to be told by pastors and priests and fellow Christians. I am rambling - but I love their work and recommend anyone to read their writings.

Read more at http://www.newsmax.com/us/religion-humor-faith-jokes/2011/10/13/id/414378

and http://www.joyfulnoiseletter.com/index.asp

and may the Risen Christ by the Sea inspire you to be a funny, joyful and happy Christian. Indeed, when Jesus rose from the dead, what a wonderful surprise that must have been. Even though Jesus told the disciples he would rise from the dead, imagine seeing the Risen Lord. Yes, the resurrection and the days following with Jesus being here on earth again with his followers must have been days of great joy and happiness.

An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude

How an Attitude of Gratitude Makes Me a Better Person –

Top 10 Reasons to be Grateful

1.      I properly thank God for all that I am and have been given always and everywhere.  

2.      I realize God’s blessings and grace in my life. 

3.      When I am grateful for my family, neighbors and community and world – I am motivated to share and make the lives of others better in small ways and in large ways.

4.      I appreciate my gift of life – and am prompted to be the best version of myself that I can be.

5.      Giving thanks improves my mood and makes me into a more joyous person

6.      Being grateful makes me more understanding, empathetic and less judgmental of others.

7.      It prevents me from complaining about anyone and anything. 

8.      When I am thankful, I find a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

9.      It makes me think positive.

10.   I appreciate my material possessions more. It makes me realize how much material possessions I have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smile Awhile

SMILE AWHILE

A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles near and throughout the mouth. It is a universal expression indicating pleasure, sociability, happiness and amusement. Research indicates smiling has been understood and used by all human societies always and everywhere. Human babies are born with the ability to smile. What person has not found joy in a baby’s smile? Smiling is often related to laughing. Everyone has heard the quote, “laughter is the best medicine”. Smiling is documented to boost your mood and immune system all the time reliving stress. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Some have said a smile can change the world. Smile more and more often.

A Person Who Smiled

Mother Teresa of Calcutta was known to be a person of great charity and love. Mother served the poorest of the poor and dying in the slums of Calcutta, India. Mother had many reasons not to smile: lack of money, multitudes of people seeking help, dealing with corrupt government officials, etc. However, she was known for her charity and peace. Mother’s life work was serving God caring for the needy and dying with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. 

The following quotes about smiling are accredited to Mother:

“Peace begins with a smile.”

 “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

 “Smile at each other. Smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other- it doesn't matter who it is- and that will help to grow up in greater love for each other.”

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, and kindness in your smile.”

“The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.”

“Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.”

 “Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Speak in a low, persuasive tone. Listen; be teachable. Laugh at good stories and learn to tell them...For as long as you are green, you can grow.”

A Laughing Jesus

A Laughing Jesus

Did Jesus laugh? Does Jesus want us to be people of happiness, joy and laughter? I think so and so do others.  We know there is a time and season for all things – a time to plant and a time to harvest. Likewise, there is a time to make merry and a time for sorrow. Jesus was fully human. As much as Jesus wore diapers and was nursed by his mother, Jesus being fully human laughed (even though the Bible does not record that Jesus even smiled). Jesus was fully God and fully man and as such Jesus would have laughed and cried (the Bible does say, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35)). Think of a laughing Jesus and choose to serve a God of laughter, happiness, joy, hope and gratitude. Remember, the first miracle performed by Jesus was at a wedding feast where he changed the water into very good wine to the delight and joy of the bride and groom, their families and the guests.

 

Artwork of the Jesus Laughing is available from Praise Prints, LLC at http://www.jesuslaughing.com/

Enjoy these jokes and quotes.

Its football season and here is a great very clean joke to share that does not make fun of any team or player; but, it is really a good joke. The St. Peter vs. Satan Football Game... St. Peter and Satan were having an argument one day about football. This goes on and on with both arguing who would field the best team. Satan proposed a game to be played on neutral ground between a select team from the heavenly host and his own hand-picked boys. "Very well," said the gatekeeper of Heaven. "But you realize, I hope, that we've got all the good players and the best coaches." "I know, and that's all right," Satan answered unperturbed, "but we've got all the officials!"

And a little totally Catholic humor - So there's a wonderful fish and chips shop down on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, not far from where I live. Monks run it, and being a good Catholic, I figure I ought to support such a worthy endeavor. The reputation is that the place serves the best fish and chips in the world, so I go there and buy a meal. And by gosh, they are the best fish and chips in the world! So good, in fact, that I have to go back to the kitchen and thank the chefs. And there they are, laboring in monkly robes over a hot stove. "Excuse me sir," I say, "are you the fish friar?" "No, son. I'm the chip monk."

And a quote for the autumn season. 

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.”

                                                                                  William Cullen Bryant

 Smile awhile and bring joy, laughter, happiness and cheer with you wherever you go.