A final card from Bret Nicholaus and Tom McGrath’s “The Meal Box”:
“Suppose you were told that you could have one wish come true – but that wish you make would have to be for someone else, not for yourself. What would you wish for, and for whom would you wish it?
Food for Family Thought: Empathy is a fundamental building block for all moral growth. Make it a family value to frequently consider how your behavior and choices affect others. When your child talks about other children’s experiences, gently ask, ‘And how do you thinks he/she felt about that?’ This will nuture your child’s capacity for compassion.”
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Maura 10.28.09 at 6:00 am
The thought that sprang to my mind was a cure for Craig who has a very aggresive form of brain cancer. He is the father of 4. Within the past 4 years since joining the parish he has brought his children into the church thru the RCIC. Two years later his wife became Catholic and they got their marriage blessed. He is an independant contractor so he has really struggled financially the past few years in this economy. They have come so far as a family that it breaks my heart to see them going thru this struggle. I know God has them in His care but I can’t help wishing we could make it easier for them.
ronrobjoe 10.28.09 at 8:17 am
About the “Food for Family Thought: “Empathy is a fundamental building block for all moral growth….” in the broader sense of the word “family,” and in thinking of the entire human family with reference to the word “empathy,” I am reminded of the words spoken by one of the judges in the film, “Judgement At Nuremberg.”
He said, “Evil is the absence of empathy.”
There is so much suffering and pain felt by so many of God’s creations throughout the globe that I sometimes feel very impotent, and of no consequence when empathy brings me to reflect on all the people, animals and parts of nature that are so in need of God’s mercy and loving intervention.
In that respect, I echo Maura’s sentiments: “I know God has them in His care but I can’t help wishing we could make it easier for them.”
Sometimes, lost in the affairs of the world, I feel tired, lonely and discouraged. I thank God for “People for Others,” and for the following two links that help bring me up and maintain equilibrium:
Loyola Press Daily 3 Minute Retreats
fourd at: http://www.loyolapress.com/about-3minute-retreats.htm
Creighton Jesuit University Daily Reading and Reflections
: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Thank you all,
Ron
Eric 10.28.09 at 11:06 am
Maria has ALS. Some months ago she lost her son Todd to ALS. Of course, this is all a heartache to the husband and father Jerry. I pray often to Blessed Marie of the Incarnation (foundress of the Ursuline Convent in Quebec City and Mother of Catholicism in North America) to intercede on Maria’s behalf. I really ask God for this miracle, to ease the suffering of the family, and to provide a miracle that may move Blessed Marie toward sainthood.
Michelle 10.28.09 at 11:06 am
My son did an exercise along these lines for school this year. If you had $100 to spend, how would you spend it? You couldn’t spend it on yourself, or on an object (even something to give to someone else). It prompted great conversation in my kitchen…
Eric 10.29.09 at 11:49 am
Ron,
I use the two links you listed daily. They truly feed my relationship with God. Your quote that evil is the absence of empathy is a powerful insight. Thanks.
Eric
Paul 10.30.09 at 8:11 am
Everyone,
Sorry to have been AWOL for a couple of days — but I am consoled that you all look after and respond to each other. Deo gracias.
Paul