The Power of Compassion

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.35) He also said, “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5.43) Did you ever wonder what happens when we love one another and love our enemies?

Even non-Christian historical texts verify that ancient Christians were compassionate to people outside the Church. Christians have been known for ‘works of charity’ from the very beginning. The fact that so many today have walked away from charity is a shame.

Among the Saints commemorated today is Saint Pachomius the Great. He was the founder of Cenobitic Monasticism (that means communal living) in the Egyptian desert. Long before he started monasteries, he was a pagan soldier.

While in the army he was amazed by the compassion Christians showed to the soldiers. They were Christians serving pagan soldiers who would otherwise persecute the Christians. It is hard to imagine by today’s standards serving the very soldiers trying to kill you.

That is the power of compassion. Compassion isn’t a political choice. It isn’t a strategic move. Compassion is the response our heart has when we experience the love of God. His love transfers through our hearts to those we meet, friends and enemies.

That was the experience of young Pachomius. He was so moved that he vowed to join Christ when his service to Rome was over. He made good on his vow, was baptized and lived his life serving Christ in prayer. His monastic life was ‘contagious’ drawing thousands to Christ.

If you are reading this and wonder what has changed in modern Christian outreach, you’re not alone. I’m wondering the same thing as I write today’s blog. The Church is often accused of hypocrisy because the lives we preach do not match the lives we live openly in public.

We preach love. We live judgment. We preach charity for others. We live selfish comfortable lives. Modern Christians, while being responsible for many good things, have become self-absorbed with private piety. Even private piety needs to show compassion beyond us.

I’m not going to suggest the solution is to run away to the wilderness and join a monastery. That may be your call, but I’m thinking something beyond must be the solution. Most Christians live among the rest of our fellow human beings, and they need our compassion.

Remember! Compassion isn’t a political or strategic choice. Compassion is the natural result of our heart being exposed to God’s love. Where is God’s love? There was a reason that God commanded Moses to build the Temple. Every human needs a place to encounter God’s love.

Moses had the Tabernacle in the Desert. Solomon and David built a permanent Temple. Christ initiated the Eucharist, which by the grace of God, is present in every Orthodox Christian Church. If you want to experience God’s love, the best place is in Church.

You cannot encounter the Eucharist online, even through Be Transfigured Ministries. You cannot encounter the Eucharist even memorizing the Bible. You can only encounter the Eucharist, Christ Himself, in the Church.

If you are having trouble showing compassion to others, friends AND enemies, try going inside the Church. The ancient Christians spent ‘much more time’ with God and each other celebrating the Eucharist IN CHURCH. It isn’t a far stretch to think maybe that is the difference.

Modern Christians, even Orthodox, have become Sunday only Christians. Many are not even Sunday Christians, visiting the Church only for holidays and sacraments. We no longer even live close enough to the Church to visit every day. We need to encounter God.

Something must change. We will never be known as for our love for one another or our enemies, without changing our lives to be more in communion with God. It begins in Church. If we solve that problem, then like the effect of Saint Pachomius, it will be contagious.