Compassion Fatigue?

There is a psychological condition known as “compassion fatigue.” Sometimes referred to as the negative cost of caring, it is characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others. Yet, as a community of Christians, we know that exercising our compassion ultimately strengthens us, and expressing compassion for others is at the heart of today’s Gospel.

There is the story of a family that was living in cramped quarters. Good fortune struck, and they were able to move into a much larger home. Someone asked the ten-year-old boy in the family how he liked his new house. He said, “I like it a lot. Now I have a room all to myself, and so do each of my sisters.” Then he paused for a moment and said, “But I feel sorry for mom. She still has to stay in dad’s room.” Although he misunderstood the situation, it was clear that the little boy was expressing a…