Painful compassion

Luke 6 : 27 - 38

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful"

I have been suffering a gum infection for the past two days. The pain was acute initially and cost me a night's sleep. It is now bearable but still there in the background and my attention is drawn to it at times during the day. Pain is not at all comfortable to live with because it inevitably focuses attention on the self. I think many Christians find it difficult to live out the call to love and mercy because they themselves are in pain. When there is physical pain, it is understandable that a person may even have to withdraw to allow it to heal. But what about emotional pain that leaves a person with sore spots that others unwittingly (or sometimes intentionally) rub against? At such times, the 'ouch' is a loud reaction and it is hardly possible to extend love and mercy to others. When we find it hard to follow Jesus' call to love and mercy it is easy to rationalize that his statements are impractical, taken literally: blessing those who curse, turning the other cheek, allowing another person to take what belongs to us......But I see his intention is to draw us beyond our comfort zones. The gospel of Jesus Christ is never easy going. The kingdom or reign of God is never one that leaves us satisfied with our religious performance. Indeed, we are humbled to see our weaknesses in the light of his truth.

But that aside, I believe we need to deal with any pain that hinders us from reaching out in love and mercy to others. When such pain exists, perhaps because of our past, we seek the Lord's healing (perhaps with the help of someone who can counsel). When we no longer have to nurse our own pains, we will have greater freedom to reach out even to those who intentionally hurt us. There is a space within that we can share even with the 'enemy'. Compassion may still be painful but it brings God's healing for all.