Nougat 20

Before reflecting on the giftings from God’s Spirit in detail; I urge us to note: with EACH gift presented, there’s a specific responsibility. We are not just to clamor after spiritual gifts, but by God’s Spirit we live the accompanying standards. Even as we reflect on compassion in today’s Holy Nougat, let’s remember to live our faith out loud.

“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6, 8 NRSV

Here in Switzerland, it is not uncommon to hear someone respond with “vous êtes très gentil”(you are very kind), to simple actions. So mere kindness reflects God’s Grace although it isn’t always a full manifestation of a spiritual gift. I offer that Compassion is a bit more.

There is a world of difference between giving and compassion (ie mercy or kindness as some versions translate). Although giving asks that we extend ourselves to meet others’ needs, (our time, talents, and treasure); it doesn’t necessarily involve our emotions. On the other hand, compassion may literally or intuitively involve us grasping the sensitivities of a given situation. And having so done, we respond in God’s love.

As I reflect on Compassion, I am taken to Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the multitude – one of the few actions found in all four Gospels. We may recall that everyone noticed that the people were hungry but few attempted to respond. I propose that they, like many of us were constrained by the numbers. Jesus was not. Rather it is as though the numbers encouraged His compassionate nature.

Further we note that Jesus didn’t feed the multitude with food from His cache. Jesus opted instead to highlight (or expose) someone else’s generosity. That is, the owner of the loaves and fish! For me, it suggests that compassion is more aligned to solutions than it is to possessions! We don’t have to own that which transforms others circumstances. When we move in God’s Spirit of Compassion, someone else’s little becomes more than enough for all.

And that extends to other situations. For compassion that results in exoneration of wrongdoing also recognizes; “there but for God’s grace goes I”. And it then applies God’s mercy to the other. May each of us yearn to be anointed with God’s Spirit of Compassion.

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May all we seek be found in Christ