Advent Day 12

Thursday, December 12th

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” —1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries wouldn’t like it much if I called him a living saint (so I’ll keep it between you and me). He thinks that makes his work seem too unattainable for the rest of us to participate in. He works

among gang members in Los Angeles to reconnect them to wholeness through training, employment, and multiple supports offered by his worldwide rehabilitation program. “All we’re asked to do is to be in the world who God is,” wrote Father Boyle.

“Certainly compassion was the wallpaper of Jesus’ soul, the contour of His heart; it was who He was. I heard someone say once, ‘Just assume the answer to every question is compassion.’”5

Taking Father Boyle’s answer to every question seriously is a fun game. Like, “What will we do about so-and-so who’s been driving me crazy?” Answer: Compassion. “How will I get through this night with all my worries?” Answer: Compassion. But, like in Jesus’ and Father Boyle’s examples, compassion is not a surface gesture or a Hallmark emotion but full-bodied empathy with arms and legs. Compassion doesn’t judge but listens and then gets busy meeting the need.

Help me, O God, to be like-minded with You, sympathetic and loving. I want to truly be compassionate and humble. Amen.