There is a word that has gotten a bad rap lately in our society and media. The word is “Empathy” which has been called a fundamental weakness and a sin in some circles. In my theological understanding of the gospel this word “Empathy” is explained in every corner of all 4 gospels and is part of our call of living out our Greatest Command to Love God and Love our Neighbor.
Matthew 25: 34-40:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
These gospel truths are all about empathy and they are biblical and theologically sound. This is compassion and love explained by Christ. This is Empathy. Today there is so much hatred and division in our broken world and I stand in solidarity with the gospel promise and am encouraged by the hope and truth from our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who still have trust in a God of compassion, love and empathy for their neighbor and so I stand with my fellow Catholic friends in Christ in the brave and Christ-Centered Voice of Pope Leo XIV and his message for Lent:
The Vatican released Pope Leo XIV’s message for Lent, which begins Feb. 18 on Ash Wednesday. Titled, “Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion,” the papal message asked Catholics to come together as a community to listen to the word of God and to the vulnerable. The pope also invited the faithful to engage in a “very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor.”
“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.”
Instead, he asked, “let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”
Lent is a time to “place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life,” the pope wrote.
“Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love.” (Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
