Compassion, the steadfast love that enters into the suffering of others, is often used of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, who "when he saw the crowds...had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36)
So I was interested to learn at a recent Birmingham City Partenrship Board that,
"The people of Birmingham have been recognised for their compassion in the way communities have supported each other during some of the of the most difficult times, crowned the UK's first Compassionate City." Birmingham City Council News, 15 March 2022 www.birmingham.gov.uk
The focus of the award is to 'bolster commitment towards people who are grieving, living with a serious illness and caregivers' and put 'kindness at the heart of health and care strategies in all parts of society.'
This is an encouragement to all who strive to build a better society and aim to bring out the best in human nature.
Yet, the role of religion and the influence of communities of lived faith in these important aspirations and achievements is not mentioned or measured. This reminds me of the danger of the human experiment that assumes all too easily that we are the source of our own wisdom and power.
In this April of Lent, Ramadan, Vaishaki and Passover many citizens of Birmingham and region understand that the deep sources of compassion flow not from our own strength but from God. I pray that the Compassionate City Charter will reveal more of God's abundantly generous grace.
As Christians this month approach the solemn days of Passion and Holy Week we will reflect on the example of loving service in Jesus Christ crowned with thorns on his Way, via the Cross of sacrifice, to putting on the crown of everlasting life.
The daily witness of ordinary Christians and others in exercising compassion may not feature often in the news headlines or in the committee rooms of power but it is known to those who are cared for and to God who "so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
