Finally read a piece suggested by a chaplain colleague in which a priest offers his way to meet suffering. No pat answers, only presence. The final two paragraphs are an expression of why work as a chaplain in so dear.
"A contemporary theologian has described mercy as “entering into the chaos of another.” Christmas is really a celebration of the mercy of God who entered the chaos of our world in the person of Jesus, mercy incarnate. I have never found it easy to be with people who suffer, to enter into the chaos of others. Yet, every time I have done so, it has been a gift to me, better than the wrapped and ribboned packages. I am pulled out of myself to be love’s presence to someone else, even as they are love’s presence to me.
I will never satisfactorily answer the question “Why?” because no matter what response I give, it will always fall short. What I do know is that an unconditionally loving presence soothes broken hearts, binds up wounds, and renews us in life. This is a gift that we can all give, particularly to the suffering. When this gift is given, God’s love is present and Christmas happens daily."
Full article is here.
I then tracked down the theologian and got lost a bit in the christian focus of mercy as an act that leads to salvation. This seems so different from the choicelessness of the work of the Bodhisattva. The "gift" goes both ways. I don't offer mercy so much as I am willing to be present so that suffering can be relieved.
However it is born, may Christmas happen daily for us all.
(Thanks JR.)
Can't help but think of Michelle Shocked's song, The Quality of Mercy
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