Compassion: The Golden Rule

A Reflection from Carina Rusk, Spanish Teacher at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy:

It was out of loving compassion that our Heavenly Father sacrificed His dear Son for the forgiveness of our sins. That love and compassion, that longing from the inner most depths of Jesus’ soul began with our Father’s love.  “He was moved with compassion.”-Matthew 9:36. Our Lord, Jesus, provided us many examples of compassionate concern; the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda; the woman condemned for adultery, and countless more.

Compassion is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. It is an attitude of principled, consistent altruism.

The Spanish club experienced compassion first hand on our field trip with Seven Bridges Ministry when visiting and offering food and prayer for those who have been otherwise forgotten and left behind.  We drive by these bridges every day as we go about our busy lives, never realizing the uncounted number of those less fortunate who call these overpasses home. Their suffering is silenced by the endless sound of passing cars.

As we arrived and began to visit with the homeless, it was admittedly difficult to do without a feeling that we should “keep our distance.” These people were dirty and their living conditions atrocious. I found myself fighting my own demons as I searched for Purell after holding their hands in prayer. It was me, after all, telling the kids not to judge and to open their hearts. That is exactly what they did.

As we stood in circles of prayer, hand in hand with those less fortunate, I heard genuine and heartfelt prayers filled with hope and love. Nearly every student led the prayer at some point and I could not have been more proud. I felt their true compassion shining through. Not even the cold and steady rain could stop them from handing out clothes, food and hope to these people. Our children are so special. We were all students that evening and we all learned much more than we could have imagined. Regardless of one’s culture or language, let us realize that we are all children of God.