Compassion

What if compassion could be defined

In a poem or a list

I might say

Listening as discovery

Leaving judgment behind

As not useful

Being totally present

To the joy sorrow or whatever

I have the privilege of hearing or seeing

Being so present that I really see

Jesus does in the stories

I saw you under the fig tree

Before Phillip called you*

Come, see a man who told me everything

I ever did**

Jesus looked at him and loved him***

Jesus wept**** 

What if compassion were a gift of the spirit

Enabling me to discard pity

The ever so slightly superior state

Of feeling sorry for someone

What if I could be with someone

But not of them

What if I could walk

Beside joy and sorrow

See them clearly

Remain quiet

What if I could leave

Impatience behind

Knowing that everyone

Needs to say what they say

What if I could give myself and others

Credit instead of always expecting more

To me compassion

Is seeing what is

With gratitude

 Marilyn Zwicker #compassion #adventword

*(Nathaniel) (John 1:48)

**(Woman at the well) (John 4:29)

***(Rich young man) (Mark 10:21)

****(Lazarus death) (John 11:35)