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…
To view this resource, log in or sign up for a subscription plan
