Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means “to suffer with.” It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty … such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.

NOTE: Over the past year, I have posted often from Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen. I am taking a break from posting these devotionals for a while. If you want to receive these same devotionals in your e-mail sign up at Free e-letters. The devotionals repeat each year. Many are in my archives.

Look for other devotionals during Lent, which begins on February 6.