Training ourselves to have Christ’s compassionate heart

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THIS should be one goal we should try our best to pursue and train ourselves for. Given the human condition we have in this world, hounded by all sorts of challenges, trials and difficulties, we should just try our best, with God’s help, of course, to be of help to others despite the cost it may involve.

We should just have a strong faith in Christ’s ever-ready assistance in this regard. Let’s remember that we cannot be Christ-like as we should be if we do not have the very compassionate heart of Christ.

While it’s true that we have to be prudent in our actuations, we should not either forget that following Christ will always involve self-denial, carrying the cross, all of which can be translated into our willingness to give whatever we can even if in the process we ourselves and those with us—our family, especially—would suffer some loss.

Let’s always remember that Christ has given us the best deal, such that whatever may appear as a loss to us because of following and loving him will always redound to a much greater gain later on.

Compassion starts in the heart, in our thoughts and desires. At this level, there is no limit in what we can do. Obviously, when we try to translate these prayers, thoughts and desires into action and material things, we can be greatly limited. But insofar as prayers and sacrifices are involved, the possibilities are unlimited.

We need to examine ourselves more deeply to see if indeed we are always thinking, praying and wishing others well. We have to be wary of our tendency to let our thoughts and desires be dictated only by self-interest, usually done in a most subtle but effective way. For this, we have to do regular examinations of conscience.

We have to expand our hearts to make it more universal, as well as broaden our mind so we can understand different people and different things more deeply and extensively. And this even if those involved are very different from us.

Let’s examine ourselves more thoroughly so as to be more aware of our biases and preferences that can get in the way of our effort to adapt and our pursuit for a more universal compassion. Let’s train ourselves how to rise above our unavoidable biases and preferences if only to be of help to others.

We have to learn how to go through the process of changing, improving and growing in our spiritual life. This can be painful and tedious, but it is always worthwhile. Not only that. It is necessary, if we have to be realistic. We should just think of what Christ has promised us if we are willing to make sacrifices for others.

Compassion should not be exclusively associated with the sweet and tender moments of pity, sympathy and empathy. It demands sacrifice and self-denial which we should be willing to give. In fact, if there is no sacrifice involved, we should be suspicious if we are truly compassionate.

For this, we have to be willing to complicate our life. There surely will be some need for adjustments in our attitudes, in the way we understand things and view different kinds of people. We have to hone up our skills at versatility, which should not only be a matter of theatrical performance but rather that of genuine love for God and for souls.