The Word of the Week
This is a Weekly podcast, inspired by THE WORD of GOD. This 5-minute podcast, will acquaint you with the WORD of GOD by focusing your bible study on how everyday words are used in scripture.
The personal thoughts I share are based on my spiritual journey and life lessons. Subscribe to become a member of the "Word of the Week-Newton" Group which will make you eligible to receive the Word of the Week by email each week, and give you access to our study journal and other subscriber benefits.
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The Word of the Week
WORD OF THE WEEK - EMPATHY - 2/9/2025
Empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another
Scriptures:Proverbs 19:17 - “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”Luke 10:25-28 - “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.””Galatians 6:10 - “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
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Empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another
Scriptures: Proverbs 19:17 - “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Luke 10:25-28 - “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”” Galatians 6:10 - “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
THOUGHT
These past few months have been quite alarming as our country has endured several distressing events:
• The devastating wildfires in California, which have turned many areas I once loved reinto charred wastelands.• Late summer storms that left many parts of the Carolinas and Florida devastated, buried in mud, and struggling with limited resources.• An unusual winter freeze that impacted every place I had ever called home, from California to Florida, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.• A very contentious and anxiety-ridden historical presidential race. In the final months before the vote, the sitting president chose not to run for a second term against the former convicted felon and former president. The final votes resulted in the convicted president’s return to the White House, despite the phenomenal financial and celebrity support received by the president’s replacement in the election.• A shift in the political landscape of the country, as the new president brings in non-traditional values, people, and policies to "Make America Great Again."• Continuing unrest in the Middle East and shifting position as the country navigates the complexities of world politics.
Meanwhile, social media has become a breeding ground for division, as we encounter political and atmospheric changes. Rather than fostering understanding, this medium amplifies anger and mistrust. Instead of love and empathy, we often see more pity and hate:
• Republicans blame the Democrats and vice versa.• The “white” minority is in fear of the growing “colored majority.”• Straight people charge the corruption of children to the presence of the LGBTQ+ community.• People who serve God strive to burn books and take away the freedoms of those who do not attend their respective church, mosque, or synagogue.
Many of us profess to love God while at the same time hating, disrespecting, and destroying each other. Where is the love? Without love, it is impossible to cultivate the emotion that fosters compassion and care for one another, which is the definition of empathy.
We often confuse pity with empathy. Love is not required to activate pity. Pity allows one to experience satisfaction when giving a donation in response to requests to help those in need. There is no emotional response required when giving a donation to a “worthy cause.” There is no need to understand the plight or relate to those whose needs will be addressed. Pity allows the appearance of care without the engagement of care.
The difference between pity and empathy is best illustrated in Luke Chapter 10:25-37 in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The two religious men acknowledged the condition of the man who had been attacked and left for dead on his way to Jericho. They may have given him a donation of prayer, but they left him to die. The Samaritan who saw him not only understood his condition but cared for him as he would have wanted to be cared for. The Samaritan showed empathy.
Empathy gets hands dirty, changes lives, and lifts the heart. Pity may get a receipt or letter of thanks.
Next time you encounter someone in need, think about the word “EMPATHY”. If you love God, let others experience God’s love through you. Empathy can spark change, both in your life and in the world around you.
With Empathy we may be able to stem the tide of this evil Tsunami of events.
