postlude [9.18.07]

To suffer with…

Compassion is the essential element to real life. Real life and real living involve active friendship and community. For a follower of Jesus, compassion goes beyond virtue. It is much more than a behavior we present to others – it is the Presence that presides within us.

Compassion requires a constant awareness of the ongoing choice.

It is the choice to suffer with our friends or not. It is the choice to enter into real life with others or not. It is the choice to build community around our common humanity or not. It is the choice to suffer with the One whom suffered for all humanity or not. We 'suffer with Christ' or not.

In the human body, all real power and strength come from the 'core'. In that way, compassion is the 'core' of the Body of Christ. It is the source of real power and strength for those who follow Jesus because it reflects Him the most.

To follow Jesus is to live life with compassion.