Compassion

It is four years today since the death of Jo Cox, a committed and  compassionate young MP. Together with the image this weekend of the injured far-right demonstrator being carried to safety by the Black Lives Matter supporter, Patrick Hutchinson, it underlines our need of compassion.

Jo Cox

Of our Shared Humanity

“We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”

“Our communities have been deeply enhanced by immigration”

Of Parliament

“I understand how hard it is to be a parent, and to balance trying to earn an income and to be a good mum with caring responsibilities for elderly relatives. Such experiences will make people in this place better law makers, so we must attract women, and both women and men who are parents.”

“I came in to make a difference”

Of Equal Opportunities

“Every weekend families across Britain settle down to watch the X-Factor or Britain’s Got Talent. We revel in the discovery of new talent, the chance for someone to come from nowhere and suddenly make it big based simply on their raw ability and hard work. Yet our society is all too often the opposite of this ideal opportunity.”

“It’s not (only) about creating an equal country, but it is about stopping the development of an underclass cut off from the rest of society.”

 

Lord, give me a heart full of compassion.  Help me to be attentive to the needs of others and to reach out to them. You give your healing grace to all those in need, so may I bring compassion through your strength.

Help me to see how I can carry and support others, even those I may not naturally associate with………..

Make me a channel of Your peace,                                                 Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy

Luke 6.27-36 ‘Jesus said:  I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.