Becoming More Compassionate

Becoming More Compassionate

It is Possible to Become More Compassionate?

As Catholics, knowing and passionately practicing our faith is an important aspect of living it out, day by day, and in loving the Lord with all our hearts. Reading and knowing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Holy Scripture, attending Sunday Mass, and doing our best to be a true disciple of the Lord helps us to be authentic Catholics. In addition to these aspects, living virtue, and exercising chastity is important. Teachings such as Theology of the Body by St. John Paul II, and living out these teachings help us to become authentic people of faith.

The list can go on and on in terms of ways we can love God, love neighbor, and become sacrificial persons aimed a becoming a saint someday.

With all of this said, does being a compassionate, kind, and nice person have anything really do with being a good Catholic?

Some would argue that in following Jesus, being “nice” and treating people kindly at all times isn’t quite as high up on the list of “to-do’s as other aspects of faith. There is more to think about in this realm when it comes to whether being compassionate and kind is of any real importance. In addition, is it possible to learn to become more compassionate?

How Can We Become Kinder People?

With all of this said, following the rules of our faith is an integral part of understanding the importance of aiming for Heaven as we live our lives. Part of those rules have to do with how we treat others day in and day out both in conversation, interactions, and in relationships. It matters both to people and to God.

If you have ever encountered an unkind or mean-spirited Catholic or anyone for that matter, it certainly is not a selling point for the faith. We can become kinder and yes, nicer, people, but it takes work and looking at ourselves in changing our unkind behavior.

This may be challenging to do for most of us, but it begins when we look in the mirror and realize that we may be following most of the “rules” of our faith for the most part but our treatment people are lacking greatly.

Step one in fixing this problem within ourselves is to recognize the sin in our behavior toward others.

Smiling more often in conversation, answering people kindly, ceasing to judge others, and being nicer is a good start.

The next time you are faced with judgement, unkindness, or simply in realizing you are not a very sincere or kind person, stop yourself and ask for God’s help and guidance. Facing the truth is not easy, but it is the best way to move forward with Christ on the journey toward loving Him and loving other people.