Quiet Time: Compassion - Story

Imagine for a moment a small, sun-drenched village where the air is thick with the fragrance of blooming jasmine. In this village lived an elderly woman named Maria, known to all as the heart of their community. Every Sunday after Mass, she would gather the children on her front porch, her wise eyes twinkling as she shared stories of faith and courage.

One day, a newcomer arrived—an anxious young boy named Lucas, who had just moved from a distant city. His heart was heavy with loneliness, and he felt out of place among the joyful laughter of the other children. Sensing his struggle, Maria invited him to sit beside her. With a warm smile, she began to share a tale of compassion—the story of the Good Samaritan. As she spoke, Maria's voice danced like the gentle wind, wrapping around Lucas like a soft embrace.

In that moment, Maria became the living embodiment of Jesus' words in John 14:6—“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Through her compassion, she illuminated a path for Lucas, showing him that love has the power to heal and transform.

For those gathered, the beauty of compassion was not just in the story, but in the connection forged between generations. In that sacred space, Lucas found purpose and belonging, just as we are all invited to do through the love of Christ. Let us be like Maria, extending our hearts and hands in compassion, creating communities rich in hope and filled with the awe of God’s presence among us.