We live in a world where mental ability is rewarded. But the heart is not trained; it just muddles along. Soon we know more and more, and understand less and less. Sophisticated media reports bring information about wars and disasters right into our living room; but we are less affected than previous generations would have been by reports of a mishap in a neighboring village.
Yet compassion reaches out across barriers of status, class or ability, and reaches out to the person who is hurting. Compassion does not depend upon knowledge or learning.
If something in us is still able to respond a little, then all is not lost. The heart is alive and kicking, able to prioritize its focus. Love of God should be the first priority, for true love of self and of neighbor both flow from this.
