The word “compassion” is well known, but we rarely reflect on its true meaning. It is not just a gesture of sympathy or a simple “Oh, what a pity.” The root of this word comes from the Latin cum pati, where pati means to suffer or enjoy, and cum indicates “with.” Thus, to feel compassion means “to suffer with” another person.
And what does it mean to suffer with others? It is not a superficial reaction to the suffering of others, such as saying “poor thing, how sad.” True compassion is trying to understand and share the pain of the other person, as if we were experiencing it ourselves.
Imagine seeing someone lying in the street, covered with blankets, while snow or rain falls on them. Compassion is not limited to saying “how poor,” but should lead us to act. What can we do for that person? We may not have a definitive solution, but at least we can offer a gesture of solidarity. Many times, people don’t want help, but our responsibility is to offer it: to provide options, to make available what we can.
Compassion also extends to those close to us: a friend going through a marital crisis, or a child facing emotional difficulties. It is not enough to feel sorry; we must be willing to accompany, to offer alternatives, to actively “suffer with” them, even if sometimes help is not immediately received.
It is easy to look the other way when faced with difficult situations. When someone asks us for help on the street, we often prefer to ignore it, seeking not to get involved. However, a simple gesture, such as giving a coin or a bit of food, can offer hope. It will not solve all their problems, but it will remind them that they are not alone.
Sympathizing is ultimately a way of loving. If we cannot help in a tangible way, we can always offer our prayer, asking God to act where we cannot. Prayer is a powerful tool to transform our love into action, even when our hands do not have material resources.
So, dear friends, let us remember that true compassion is more than a show of pity; it is a call to suffer with the other and to do what we can to alleviate their pain. Let each of us strive to do all the good we can, and may God bless us always.
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