Becoming empathetic allows us to see through the other persons eyes
When we become empathetic we are able to build bridges between ourselves and those who are unlike us, but perhaps members of our extended family, or individuals who work with us. When we are empathetic, we learn to avoid being hateful of those who are different from us, and avoid being revengeful. Empathy allows us to forgive other people, for we see in them the shadow of ourselves. Strangers and foreigners seem closer to us, because we learn to see the connections we have with them, in this human family. Their race and skin color become less important, and we are able to see life through their eyes. The differences milt away, and we are no longer afraid of the see the world through the perspective of people whose religion is different, or whose nationality is strange to us.
Learning to be tolerant of those who are different allows us to see them through the eyes of God, Who created us as different nations, races, and peoples. Approaching people with empathy enables us to put ourselves aside and enter into their experience. It allows us to listen to them, appreciate their perspectives, and learn to love the differences, just as does God. And from the perspective of an empathetic heart, our world grows larger, and we are able to look beyond our neighborhood, our parish community, our ethnic family, and even our religious beliefs, and enjoy the common bond we have with everyone.
Our empathy leads to a broader understanding of other peoples behaviors, humor, music, and style, and the whole picture of what it means to be part of the human family is made complete. This learned tolerance in no way means we adapt a world view that all beliefs and religious views are equal, but rather that our appreciation of others is made more godly and loving. We see the whole picture, rather than focusing on only one aspect of the other persons human experience.
It is, however, important to consider that the enemy of empathy is power. Those who are in positions of power over others, often have trouble being empathetic. For anyone holding positions of power, be they bosses, clergy, heads of departments, politicians, or even parents, empathy must be fostered by learning to listen to others. The department head who fires an underling because of office gossip, without taking the time to look at the whole picture, fails at being empathetic. When power becomes absolute, the ability to empathize is sacrificed.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
35th Week after Pentecost. Tone one.
St. Paul of Thebes, Egypt (341), and St. John Calabytes (“Hut-dweller”) of Constantinople, monks (450).
New Hieromartyr Michael, priest (1942).
New Hieromartyr Benjamin, bishop of Romanov (1930).
Monk-martyr Pansophius of Alexandria (249-251).
St. Prochorus, abbot in Vranski Desert on the river Pchinja in Bulgaria (10th c.) (Serbia).
St. Gabriel, founder of Lesnovo Monastery, Serbia-Bulgaria (980) (Serbia).
St. Gerasimus, patriarch of Alexandria (1714).
St. Maximus, bishop of Nola (250).
Venerable Ita of Killeedy, hermitess and foster-mother of St. Brendan (570) (Celtic & British).
Venerable Maurus, disciple of St. Benedict (584) (Celtic & British).
St. Salome of Udjarma, and St. Perozhavra of Sivnia, Georgia (4th c.).
Venerable Barlaam of Keret Lake near the White Sea (16th c.).
Hebrews 10:35-11:7
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 “For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
By Faith We Understand
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Mark 9:10-16
10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”
A Boy Is Healed
14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
Fr. Tryphon,
Do you think the high tides are caused by global warming? I always enjoy the pictures you post.
Yours in Christ,
Diana
Yes I do.
Good day Father, your daily words are an inspiration to me and many others as well. In them I see light and hope where before I saw only darkness.
As I am new to and still learning about the Byzantine rites and Orthodoxy, I wonder if you could speak on what we can do for others, while they are still alive, to obtain help or graces for their salvation.
I am thinking here more of prayers, works of reparation done for their intention, and things of that nature, as I am more of an internal type of person than one who would preach and teach etc.
There have been several deaths lately that have been sudden and tragic, with seemingly no time for the person to repent or make reparation, and while others mourn the loss, I always wonder where is the person now, and how could I have helped through my prayers and reparations to give them a better defense before the awesome judgement seat of Christ.
What methods or practices does Orthodoxy use for us to help living sinners, to be better prepared to face the awesome judgement of Our Lord at the moment of their death?