Article March 25, 1985 Issue

The message of compassion

MURIEL ROADMAN

The legacy we inherit from Christ Jesus' experiences on the cross and in the sepulcher includes the message of compassion— that quality so needed to reach distressed humanity.

After the Master's most difficult trial, he quickly reached out with compassion to the mourners. Soon after he had risen, he consoled and blessed a woman in tears mourning the loss of her Saviour. This woman, Mary Magdalene, had been healed by the divine Principle Jesus taught, and now he reassured her of the eternality of that saving Principle, untouched by death. Her tears could now be wiped away. Shortly thereafter he also hastened to rouse the disciples from their fears and to lift them to a higher understanding of the Life which is God. Even the doubtful Thomas was embraced by the Master's compassion. All these incidents show that Jesus' teachings were not left in abstract theorism but illustrated the Principle to be loved and lived.

In the chapter "Christian Science Practice" of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states: "The physician who lacks sympathy for his fellow-being is deficient in human affection, and we have the apostolic warrant for asking: 'He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?' Not having this spiritual affection, the physician lacks faith in the divine Mind and has not that recognition of infinite Love which alone confers the healing power."^{Science and Health, p. 366.}