to know
“What they need USA it’s not division; What we need is not hate… but love and wisdom, and compassion for each other, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer in our country, whether white or black.” These words spoken by Robert F. Kennedy, candidate for the United States presidency and murdered in 1968, they could be applied to any country. After his apostolic journey to Oceania and Asia, the Pope Francis shared that he could see clearly that compassion is the path that Christians can and must walk to bear witness to Christis the bridge to establish union with different religious traditions.
to think
It is said that a teacher raised a glass of water in his hand in front of the class and asked, “How much does it weigh?” The students proposed different weights. Finally he told them: “I think it depends on how long I hold it in my hand. If I lift it for a minute, it’s pretty light. If I hold it for an hour it will feel heavier and my arm will hurt a little. But if I hold it for a whole day, my arm will go numb and hurt until I have to let it go.”
So it is with problems and worries. Their weight depends on how long you hold them: If you think little about them you will feel like you can handle them, but if you think more, the pain will begin. And if you keep them spinning around in your head for a long time, they can cause a lot of damage. It will be very different if someone takes pity and helps carry it. Let’s think about whether we understand the weight of others and are willing to share. Furthermore, we will always count on the compassion of the Lord.
Living
Pope Francis recalled three characteristics of the Lord: closeness, mercy and compassion. God is close, God is merciful and God is compassionate. That we can also live them: be closer, more merciful and compassionate with others. That is why Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: “I would rather make mistakes of kindness and compassion than perform miracles of cruelty and harshness.”
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