Compassion for Others

# Care for Others

Living in a prosperous and wealthy nation like the United States, enjoying delicious food is no longer a difficult matter. Moreover, many people simply order their favorite dishes from private home services, since these providers specialize in particular foods. For example, take bánh ướt from the Western regions. In a city with a Vietnamese community, Uncle Bình and his wife specialize in making bánh ướt. Whenever someone wants to eat it, they call Uncle Bình to place an order and arrange a pickup date. Because bánh ướt is delicious, many people order from them. It's unclear exactly how long Uncle Bình and his wife have been selling bánh ướt and bánh cuốn. But one day, Sister Sang called to order bánh cuốn, and Uncle Bình replied, "My family is gone!" Sister Sang was somewhat taken aback, not fully understanding why Uncle's family was gone, and she asked him, "Uncle, what do you mean your family is gone?" Uncle Bình told her that Aunt Bình had passed away nearly two months ago... Sister Sang was shocked and quickly expressed her condolences, but then she asked when Uncle Bình would start selling bánh ướt again... It was at that moment Sister Sang realized that the bánh ướt was made by Aunt Bình; Uncle Bình only took the orders! Another sister who also frequently ordered bánh ướt from Uncle Bình expressed regret that she would no longer be able to eat such delicious bánh ướt, yet she showed no concern for Uncle Bình's circumstances—how he would live alone going forward!

We people often do not take into consideration the problems of others. The customers who bought bánh ướt only cared about the bánh ướt itself, not about the feelings of the widowed husband who had just lost his wife! Whether or not she was closely acquainted with Uncle Bình or related to him by blood, Sister Sang should have asked about Aunt Bình—why Aunt had suddenly passed away—and offered words of comfort and encouragement for Uncle Bình to persevere, to rely on God's strength, and to think about the future in Heaven where he would see Aunt Bình again, wouldn't he? Usually we don't mean to, but because we don't have close relationships, we inadvertently and carelessly overlook the problems of others!

But our Lord Jesus is not like this. He always showed care and concern for everyone; because "The Lord is gracious and compassionate; our God is full of compassion" (Psalm 116:5). The Lord was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds, "...because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36); when He saw them sick, He "...was moved with compassion and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14); Jesus showed His compassion and care for the multitudes when they followed Him for three days and had nothing to eat, and He performed a miracle, multiplying bread to feed four thousand people (Matthew 15:32-36); the Lord told His disciples, "I have compassion for these people; they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." When He saw the blind, "Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him" (Matthew 20:34). Thanks be to God that He is merciful and compassionate, always caring for and watching over us, His small ones, everywhere and at all times! "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3).

What great comfort it is to know that God is always beside us, guiding us at every step, and providing all that we need! We may be careless and unconcerned toward those around us, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ" (Ephesians 2:4). Let us imitate our beloved Lord: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32); "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15); "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We pray that the Holy Spirit will give us hearts that care for and look after those around us; that He will open the eyes of our hearts so we might see those who are struggling, and teach us what to say and do to uplift and encourage them, especially our brothers and sisters in faith; that He will strengthen us and grant us grace to always live with compassion for all people, as the Lord has shown compassion to us and has saved us from the darkness of this world! Thanks be to God that He helps us live each day glorifying His Name and proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to others! Amen!

*May God's boundless love reach out,* *Help me think of all people near and far,* *Not for worldly gain or personal profit,* *But not thinking only of myself alone!* *Yet always mindful of human need,* *Caring for and tending to family and loved ones,* *Through God's strength, drawing near,* *Helping people know God and receive His grace!*

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