Often, I rationalize myself into selfishness. Faced with the enormity of the problem of poverty, I would opt out from helping in any way I can and rationalize away my failure to help by saying what good would the little I could do to solve the problem of poverty. There are times I refuse to dig into my pocket to give small change to street beggars or some homeless folks rationalizing that I would only be encouraging their dependency by doing so. Sometimes, I would take time in extending a helping hand to allow others to go ahead and the need would not be there anymore when I decide to finally help out.
I realize that the need is really in me. The need for me to feel pity and compassion for those who have less or even nothing in life. The need to convert the feeling of pity and compassion into some efficacious and effective action. The need to go out of myself and reach out to others. What good is helping those who can help themselves? What good is helping those who do not need help?
There is so much pain and suffering in the world today, there is always the danger of being desensitized to the pain and suffering of others. I myself often suffer and I wallow and self-pity and totally forget to feel for others. There are so many disasters and catastrophes that people have begun to suffer compassion fatigue.
As long as my heart beats, I must not and will not lose my capacity for compassion. I will share my joys where there is pain and sorrow. I will share what I have wherever there is need and want. I will give my presence whenever there is absence of any kind. I will give with open hands specially when selfishness or greed or anger or hate would have me clench my hand in a fist.
When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already very late.
Dismiss them so that they can go
to the surrounding farms and villages
and buy themselves something to eat.”
He said to them in reply,
“Give them some food yourselves.”
Mark 6:34-44