Is Compassion the New Black

Musician Steven Tyler said recently that "compassion is the new black."  That got me thinking  - what if compassion could be worn as the hottest fashion around?  What would that look like?  Would people try to outdo one another with their acts of compassion?  I even envisioned a compassion fashion week where people scramble for the best seats so they can ooh and aah over the most compassionate acts and could seek out their own robes of compassion.

But then I realized the compassion as a hot trend is not a new concept.  In the Bible, when asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."  Matthew 22:37-39.  This is repeated again in the Gospel of Mark.   Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 25:  

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?  And the King will say, I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"

Christianity is not the only religion that embraces the concept of compassion.  Islam says "Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain (their) anger and pardon (all) men - for God loves those who do good."  Chapter 3, Verse 134.  In addition, the Koran says "And what will explain to you what the steep path is?  It is the freeing of a (slave) from bondage; or the giving of food in a day of famine to an orphan relative; or to a needy in distress.  Then will he be of those who believe, enjoin fortitude, and encourage kindness and compassion."  Chapter 90, Verses 12-17.  

Gandhi said that "compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use."  The Dalai Lama has said " If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion."  You can't even think about compassion without picturing Mother Teresa working among the poorest of the poor in India.  There are countless stories of men and women harboring Jews during World War II at great risk to their own families.  In the United States, compassion is considered important enough that the Peace Corps was established so that American men and women could reach places around the world to not only promote the message of compassion, but also back that message up with action.  The US is not alone in this - other countries have similar programs.  There are countless nationwide, statewide, and local programs that are compassionate in nature.  And everyone knows that one person who selflessly gives of themselves in ways that just seem impossible to help those they may not even know personally.  

So, is compassion the new black?  Perhaps a better way to think about this is that compassion is that fabulous vintage jacket from your grandmother's closet.  Yes, it has been worn over and over, but it still looks great and you can't find a better quality garment anywhere.  If you ask, maybe your grandmother has stories of where she has worn that jacket over the years.  I, for one, am going to put on that jacket every time I leave the house.  Just imagine what a change we could make if we all leave our homes every day clothed in compassion for others!  I can only pray that when people think of me, it will not be about whether I wear black or pink clothing from Target or from Saks. Instead, I hope that the world sees my compassion above all else.  Will you join me?

The Children of Humble School, Uganda

In the news recently there have been stories about the trial of an alleged rebel in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) by the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Gulu, Uganda.  Although I certainly believe that there should be justice for the victims of the atrocities commited by the LRA, I am much more interested in sharing some of the stories of the wonderful children I met in Uganda while there on a mission trip over the last two weeks.

This was my second trip to Humble School in the town of Mukono, Uganda.   You can read more about the trip by visiting our trip blog.   My family has gotten connected to this mission through our church, Crossroads UMC in Ashburn, VA.  Last year, Dan and I went over and this year I took our son Cody.

Many of the children at the school, which is a primary school ranging from pre-school (baby class) through P-7 (roughly 6th grade) are from the northern parts of the country where the LRA was most active.  Some of the children lost parents and other family members to the war.  Other children have lost parents and family members to illness - HIV, malaria, etc.

Still, the thing that struck me the most last year and again this year is that even after enduring things that I can't even imagine, these children are still happy kids who just want to be kids.  They will tell their stories when asked, but they really want to play football or frisbee, or sing, or learn to sew, or ride bikes, or read and learn.  Their faith and willingness to display their spiritual side without the hesitation so often seen here in the US is humbling and inspiring at the same time.

Rhoda, who is probably about 12 or 13, lost both parents to illness and lives with her grandmother during school breaks.  She is a very caring girl and really helps a lot with the younger children.  During our visit, she painted my fingernails sparkly green - which I think was also the color of her toes!

Brian Daniel is a quiet boy, probably closer to 14.  He was captured by the LRA when very young, but was not kept for long.  He lost most of his family, but goes back to the family village during holidays to stay with surviving relatives.  He loves to tell stories that he has heard from the elders in his village - similar stories that we tell our children about the rabbit and the turtle.

Philemon's family lives near the school.  He has both parents and many siblings.  His parents are farmers, and they have the most generous spirit I have ever seen.  Philemon makes the most amazing paper flowers and bright colored chains from palm fronds.  He and Cody really bonded this year - I think it was mostly over card games!

Sharifa is 11 and from the town of Mukono.  I don't know her story, but she is the most beautiful girl with dreams of being a musician.  She sings in the latest Hope for Africa Childrens Choir and every time I see her sing and dance I am filled with awe.

I could go on and on about these children - and the wonderful staff and faculty of the school.  The point I really want to make is that by making the decision several years ago to get out of my comfort zone and meet people who maybe seemed different, I have gotten to know some amazing people.  While I am now committed to the children at Humble, it is important to remember that the same concept applies right here in my own neighborhood.  We so often cheat ourselves out of meaningful relationships in our lives by refusing to see people who are not just like us.  For myself and my family, this is no longer acceptable.  I challenge all of you to begin seeing people who have been "invisible" in the past.

Can we make a change?

In his speech the night of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, Senator Robert Kennedy said, “We can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand and to comprehend, and to replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand with compassion and love.”   He went on to say “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black.”

Reading those words, understanding that they related to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s here in the United States, I couldn’t help but think how much they still hold true today. What we need in the WORLD is not division.  What we need in the WORLD is not hatred.  We need love and wisdom, and compassion towards one another, and a feeling of justice towards all people, regardless of race, nationality, religious belief, gender.  You get the picture. 
As we look around the world today there is so much turmoil, so much unrest.  Hunger, poverty, unemployment, homelessness, illness are all at levels that should simply not exist in 2011.  Neighbors, family members, friends are at each other’s throats out of desperation.  
I am not naïve enough to believe that a few good deeds will bring about lasting world peace.  If that were the case, all of these problems would have been solved centuries ago.  However, I do believe that by seeking to understand one another and to love one another through serving one another, we can bring change for the better.   As Christ-followers, we are called to do this.  When asked by the Pharisees about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.   A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38). 
To love our neighbor as ourselves can mean many different things.  You may volunteer your time locally to tutor children in the public schools.  You may take food to your local food bank every month.  Perhaps you work through organizations to help build affordable housing.  Perhaps you have traveled to areas devastated by earthquakes or floods.  Hopefully if you have done any of these things, you have developed relationships with people who maybe are not just like you.  Maybe you have discovered that in putting some differences aside, you have been able to find some things in common and gain greater understanding of others. 
PeaceThruLove is all about finding those things in common and building relationships that span socioeconomic, racial, religious, gender-based differences.  I invite you to check out 13 Acts (www.13Acts.org) to submit your ideas for how we can change the world.