And in today’s world there is still a great need for compassion.  In our own country, in spite of the welfare state and all its unparalleled provision for those in sickness or want, there are unfortunate children and adults in loneliness and distress who can truthfully echo the words of the psalm, “I looked for pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (NRSV, 69:20b).  And across the world there are millions of people suffering from hunger, thirst and preventable disease.

Condemnation for the great weight of suffering as often as not comes from people who do not claim to be Christians.  This highlights all the more the truth that Christians should be men and women of compassion as was Our Blessed Lord.