A New Heaven and a New Earth

Compassion is a word we hear a lot during Lent.  The Compassion Cross is set up in the Parish Hall, and the word turns up often in sermons and in Bible studies and classes during this season.  Actually, when you think about it, we hear the word over and over during the year and with very good reason.  Compassion lies at the very heart of Christianity and Nouen writes that our lives as Christians are to be marked by compassion, as Jesus' life was. We are to be compassionate toward our fellow travelers on the way, even as we look forward to the "new heaven and the new earth" described in the Book of Revelation - that time when there won't be any need for compassion because there will be an end to all suffering.

Many of you may remember the YouTube clip of a policeman in New York City tenderly putting a new pair of socks and new boots on the freezing feet of a homeless man.  The policeman had seen this fellow, cold and alone, and had gone into a store to buy the socks and boots for him.  Then he knelt down on the pavement and gently put them on the fellow's feet.  The whole thing was captured on camera by a tourist.  It was a touching and very poignant scene; a compassionate and loving act by a New York City cop - guys not always known for their tender hearts!

That video clip made news fast, and was sent around the world.  It touched everyone who saw it.  Won't it be wonderful when such acts of kindness won't be so rare that they make the headlines!  Won't it be lovely when compassion will be as natural and as spontaneous to us human beings as breathing!

We have faith that a new heaven and a new earth will arrive one day, but it is beginning now.  It begins with us - with you and with me - and with a tough New York City cop kneeling in front of a scruffy homeless fellow, warming his icy feet with new socks and boots.

Audrey