Article August 16, 2004 Issue

COMPASSION-what it really means to love people

By Kim Shippey Senior Writer

ASK THE REVEREND DR. RAY HAMMOND what compassion means to him, and out comes his handheld computer. His eyes gleam as he reads from the tiny screen: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Col. 3:12, New International Version).

"I love that verse," he says, "because in many ways the last four words really tell you what compassion is about. Compassion cares enough to be tough when it has to be, but never to the point of anger or judgment or condemnation. And it always comes out of a commitment to the highest and best good of the other person."

Getting up steam, Hammond continues: "Compassion is one of the things that make the world go round. I find the notion of compassion to be more full-bodied and understandable than the sometimes nebulous concept of love—which I certainly subscribe to, and think is important, but which means so many things to so many people. It's only when you get into the realm of compassion that you start putting some flesh on the bones of what it really means to love people—what it really means to care for them."

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