IN the rush and turmoil of everyday life it would often appear that there is danger of forgetting the necessity of exercising the quality of compassion; and it might be well if from time to time we examined our thought to see whether this quality, with all it implies of tender, ministering love, is not being overlooked. Indeed, it is needful to remember the apostle's counsel to "covet earnestly the best gifts," of which compassion is surely one.
Jesus' tender rebuke to his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane reechoes down the ages, and we may have thought longingly: Oh, if it had only been my privilege to have been with Jesus in his hour of agony; I would surely have been able to watch! But a more careful examination of our thought will not fail to show us how many times we omit watching with some troubled one, even when the opportunity comes. This awakening to our lack of watchfulness may present itself in different ways; but perhaps what causes the most heart-searching is the knowledge that a fellow-worker may have needed tender sympathy and compassion at a time when we were entertaining self-righteousness, thoughts of personal condemnation towards him, thoughts which have prevented us from discerning our brother's need. Or, imploringly he may be thinking: Will not some one watch with me during this hour of temptation, of fear, of loneliness? Will not some one give me one loving thought, one helpful word? But, like the scribe and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan, mesmerized by a sense of our own importance we gather our garments around us and pass by on the other side.
In striving to overcome the lack of true compassion and spiritual discernment, we need daily—aye, hourly—to lift on high the tender, loving appeal of the Christ, and to reflect Love's healing, compassionate ministry to all who need it. Then the privilege may indeed be ours of binding up the broken-hearted, those who lie wounded and sick at heart on life's byways, desiring the tender word and the pouring in of the oil of sympathy and encouragement, which will heal their wounds.
