Chaplain’s Column

Get in the game

There are many days memories flood my mind of times spent on the baseball field throwing the ball with my father. I cherish those memories, especially when I return to the field with my sons. Watching the World Series is more than just looking at men playing a boy’s game. The older I get the more I cherish the game that connects me from generation to generation. My wife says I am just getting old. Probably so, but it reminded me of an article I read recently read.

“A few years ago, baseball fan Bryan Stow went to opening day at Dodger Stadium. Before he left (the stadium), he was severely beaten and left in need of lifetime care. There is lots of blame to go around in his case. Blame alcohol, blame youthful bravado, blame an argument that blew into a fight. But consider this: this beating took place in full view of thousands of people, in a stadium that was patrolled by 442 police and security officers. When the league reviewed the situation they determined, and I quote, ‘a culture of apathy and indifference’ among stadium staff contributed. In other words, for a couple of drunk young men to get into a fight, shame on them. But for thousands of spectators and hundreds of staff to turn a blind eye, shame on all of us.”

Has a culture of apathy robbed us as a community of our compacity to show compassion to others? Have we forgotten our responsibilities to one another? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the story of the “The Good Samaritan” to show what compassion looks like.

“A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ATemple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (Luke 10:30–37, NLT)

Jeff Gauss observed four characteristics from the “The Good Samaritan” story of what it looks like to have compassion. First, compassion is based on need, not worth. Have you ever passed by someone in need because you deemed him/her “not worthy?” Every person matters.

Second, compassion is emotional, not logical. The Samaritan felt compassion in the story. The word in the Greek means to “stir in the bowels.” It is like how we might say, “he had a gut feeling.” There is no logical reason why the Samaritan would help the man out. He just had a gut feeling that he should.

The word “compassion” means literally to “suffer with.” God is not calling you to fix peoples’ problems, but to come along side and enter into their suffering with them. Compassion is more than just throwing time or money at a problem. We do not have to have all the answers. We do not have to provide the solution. We do not have to feel guilty because I cannot help everyone, everywhere. We can “suffer with.” We can “feel” compassion even if we cannot solve the problem.

Third, compassion does something. The Samaritan saw a need and he had a gut feeling that he should do something about it. That is the big difference between sympathy and compassion. Compassion moves you to do something. We may not be able to help everywhere, or help everyone, but we can help someone, somewhere.

Finally, compassion costs something. This man gave his time and money. He said, whatever it takes. The story of “The Good Samaritan” is a call to action. Jesus is saying to the religious expert, “Knowing what is right is not enough. You must do it.” You can’t just know it in your head, believe it in your heart, or say it with your mouth. We must live it! Compassion is the responsibility of us all. Let’s get in the game!

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