As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17

The empty tomb of Easter reminds all of us of the new life that God has offered us in Jesus Christ. And there are certain qualities we should wear as we live each new day.

Clothe yourself with compassion.

According to the website greatergood.com, “compassion literally means ‘to suffer together.’ Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.”

That seems to make sense with my basic understanding of the English language and how this word has been represented to me in life. To have passion, sympathy and feeling for another in their suffering is the first step in helping to relieve their suffering.

I would do well today to feel deeply for others, to be compassionate, and help them out of their suffering however I can.

Prayer

Dear God, clothe me today with compassion, so that may truly I walk beside someone who suffers, as I follow my Lord and Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.