If sympathy does not translate to love, then it is a waste of emotion. We can actually cry out our eyes yet very indisposed to help an unfortunate victim. Human sympathy is that natural proclivity that surfaces in the face of sorrowful circumstances. Most often we do not force the feeling out. In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus accentuates love over pity. It is very likely that the priest and the Levite who passed by this wounded man were moved to pity for him but did not go any further to help. But in the Samaritan we see a transition from pity to love; he saved the dying man. This disparity in action shows that pity changes nothing but love changes everything. Love cares and heals. This means that we should care for and heal the needy amongst us with the resources we have. Love for the needy should be an indelible principle for every true Christian.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may the desire to love above sympathy grow in us daily. Amen.