Suffering and Compassion

“Be kind and compassionate.” (Ephesians 4:32 VOICE)

According to author Richard Rohr, suffering is “whenever we are not in control.” Since the illusion of control prevents us from letting go, suffering can allow us to yield to God. 

“As an example of holding the pain, picture Mary standing at the foot of the cross or, as in Michelangelo’s Pietà cradling Jesus’ body. One would expect her to take her role wailing or protesting, but she doesn’t! We must reflect on this deeply. Mary is in complete solidarity with the mystery of life and death. It’s as if she is saying, ‘There’s something deeper happening here. How can I absorb it just as Jesus is absorbing it, instead of returning it in kind?’” (Richard Rohr, A Spring Within Us: A Book of Daily Meditations) 

Compassion is “co-suffering.” When we have compassion, we suffer with those who are suffering. This does not mean we try to control the situation or attempt to fix their pain. As co-sufferers, we come alongside those who have realized that they are not in control and remain with them in their unmanageable state. We make space and knowingly hold the pain. We acknowledge that there is something deeper happening here, and we become witnesses to the process. Compassion allows us to keep company with those who are being taken care of by God.