Empathy

ἐμπάθεια

 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

"Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another's position."-Wikipedia

In short, empathy, about which theologians, philosophers, linguists, psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and criminologists have written volumes, is the capacity to feel the pain and passion of another person. It is the ability for us to put ourselves in someone else's shoes, see through their eyes, hear through their ears, and care deeply.

It makes us civilized. It makes us human. It equips us to become more than we are. In opens our hearts and minds. It enables us to build peace and to achieve mutual good. It facilitates understanding and service.

It is at a deficit in the narcissistic. It is nearly absent in psychopathology. It is developing in the young. It is seasoned in the old who have suffered with grace.

It is empowered by spiritual sensitivity when souls are connected with a God of compassion (σπλαγχνίζομαι) and it is in full bloom among those who seek it most.

Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash

It is necessary for an active life of intercessory prayer or a ministry of mercy.

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway.
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God Himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea,
Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant
there.

— Portia, in William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1.

Though it is a sign of maturity, it is often seen most vividly in children. No wonder Jesus said that his kingdom was made up of such people. No wonder he said we must enter as children.

 

Watch them play.

Watch them share.

Watch them care.

 

Art - (Public Domain) William-Adolphe Bouguereau - Les noisettes aka The nut gatherers 

I can be right and be all wrong, if I have no empathy.

If I do not care, I have nothing to share.

I cannot speak to the soul of any whom I do not love. God can and may speak through my mouth, by working around my bad attitudes, but it will be in spite of the obstacles I erect.

If your pain does not SWAY my heart. I have nothing to SAY to your heart.

Real intercession flows from our capacity to empathize with compassion in Spirit and Truth.

There is no correlation between genuine empathy with compassion and our points of agreement with people who are suffering. We do not need to agree to care. If we possess the qualities of compassion and mercy, they are available to all who hurt.

In fact, they are most tested and revealed by their manifestation toward those who are most distant from us geographically, ethnically, ideologically, socially, economically, religiously, or through life experience.

Besides all of that, it is our call, mandate, and lifestyle.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." -  Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)