Chapter XII. On Compassion.

Chapter XII.

On Compassion.

A. True and perfect compassion toward God is sadness being unceasingly wounded in the heart for all injuries inflicted on God, and still to be inflicted on him in himself and in his friends; whoever touches them is as one who touches the pupil of his eye ¹. For all the elements suffered with Christ as he was dying on the cross ².

B. True compassion toward neighbor is to suffer from the marrow with the afflictions of neighbors, both spiritual and bodily, after the example of the Apostle saying: Who is weak, and I am not weak ³? Here the Gloss says: Who is weak either in faith or in some virtue, and I am not weak? that is, do I not suffer with him as with myself? Who is scandalized by some trouble, and I am not burned with the fire of compassion?

Toward neighbors who are in purgatory, true compassion is to be vehemently afflicted for the bitterness of the punishments that they sustain, and especially because meanwhile they are separated from the vision and enjoyment of God, and meanwhile God is not fully praised by them. And in that affliction and compassion one must unceasingly and ardently supplicate God, that he may deign to snatch them away from such bitterness and roughness.

C. The most abundant compassion of Christ toward us ought to induce us to true compassion. As D. Augustine testifies, he hastens so to absolve a sinner from the torment of his conscience as though compassion for the miserable person tortured him more than compassion for himself tortured the miserable person. Nor did he only suffer with us; indeed he himself truly took our weaknesses and he himself bore our sorrows ⁴. The same nature of members counsels this, as the Apostle testifies: If one member suffers anything, all the members suffer with it ⁵.

Likewise, the usefulness of compassion is twofold, and ought also to entice us to compassion: namely confirmation of charity and reigning together with Christ. Of the first it is said in Ecclesiasticus: Do not fail those weeping in consolation, and walk with those mourning. Let it not weary you to visit the sick; for by these things you will be strengthened in love ⁶. Of the second the Apostle says: If we endure, we shall also reign together ⁷. The virtue of compassion is rare, the Lord complaining: I awaited one who would be saddened together with me, and there was none; and one who would console, and I did not find ⁸.

D. The proof of true compassion is not only to suffer with friends, but also with enemies. Thus Joseph wept over each of his brothers, who had sold him for thirty denarii ⁹. And David lamented with great lamentation over the death of Saul, who had often proposed to kill him; indeed he had the children of Israel taught a song of lament over his death ¹⁰. So when Absalom died, who had wished to uproot him from the kingdom, he mourned him with covered head, saying: My son Absalom! Absalom my son! Who would grant me that I might die for you, Absalom my son! my son Absalom ¹¹! And similarly Job says: I once wept over him who was afflicted, and my soul suffered with the poor man ¹².

E. The proof of false compassion is when someone utters words of compassion and shows a face of compassion, and nevertheless rejoices in his heart over the affliction of his neighbor. Or when he does not alleviate the affliction of his neighbor when he could. Or when he does not restrain those afflicting, when he can, but rather provokes and strengthens others to afflict by sign, word, or deed.