Spiritual Formation

Compassion as Jesus Practiced

45 participants, mainly members of SSVPs and POHDs from Johor gathered for refreshing Spiritual Formation by Fr Andrew Arokia Samy from 12-13 Aug 2023 at St Louis Church Kluang. 

Fr Andrew enlightened participants about how we can “be compassionate the way God is compassionate” where he outlined 5 points:

1. Compassion as a wide embrace and longing for wholeness – like the shepherd looking for the lost sheep despite having 99 safely in hand; the woman celebrating the finding of the lost coin out of the 10 coins she has; the father pleading for the elder son to join in the celebration of the prodigal son homecoming.  For God everyone is important. 

2. Compassion cuts across all boundaries – the washing of feet in the gospel of John showcasing the basin and towel instead of bread and wine of the Eucharist; the need for humble daily action to serve.

3. Compassion is leaving judgement to God - from the story of the stoning of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus chose to leave the judgement to God, not stoning people with the commandments and speaking up for her who was voiceless (advocacy).

4. Compassion is giving way to the human finitude to the mother of Jesus – where Jesus gave way to his mother’s request to help in the wedding of Cana, changing water into wine. Mary gave voice to human inadequacy. 

5. Compassion is collective – Jesus did not write a book but formed communities of men and women around him, of which we are still part of.

The principles and spirituality of Justice, particularly of the need to advocate the rights of those who are less able to express their rights, spiritual leadership and examples of how Pope Francis is leading as the Pope of the Peripheries was touched upon. Participants were all left inspired and rejuvenated to continue their service to the hungry, thirsty, naked and in prison; answers we all need to provide in our final judgement (Mt 25).