On Spiritual Family: The Virtue of Caring

On Spiritual Family: The Virtue of Caring

Art Work of Joselito Barcelona




Text: Luke 10:30-37 - Good Samaritan
If we come to know of somebody's misfortune, It is so easy for us to openly sigh and say, "What a pitiful fellow he is!" Is this what we call CARE? Or, we think of something deeper than that?

Care is performing supportive, sympathetic actions to bear portion of the load of burden that a fellow is carrying at the moment. It is simply, extending unselfish help to the one who needs it. Words are just words, so it is so easy to say, 'I Care!'. But true care calls for an action.

In the Philippines, we have this cultural practice called "Bayanihan" (as depicted by the painting featured above), wherein the whole neighborhood will come and help a needy family in the community. Through the collective efforts of the group, a burdensome task can easily be carried out in a short period of time. If a family holds a party, we don't have to hire caterers to prepare the food, but neighbors will come and set things up from cooking to decorating the whole party area - all for free. Even, we don't have to bother about utensils. They will bring their plates, cuttleries, pots, laddles etc. You can see the same scenario when harvest season comes. Together, they will come and harvest ones crops without expecting anything in return but a promise that you will also do the same to others.

Reflection 1: As a Christian, do I involve myself deeply into the activities of helping a brother/sister who is in dire need of help? Or, I just stand, WATCH and let other people do the action?

Read Galatians 6:2
Care is feeling the hurts that our fellow is going through. You may truly understand one's feeling if you put yourself into his SHOES. If a person confides to you his problems, he is certainly expecting you NOT to put blame on him but to win your sympathy. He wants you to listen and try to understand his position and situation. But we need to be careful when we give advises or word of consolations, or we might be fanning one's wrong emotions. True care is founded on the ground of righteousness. It sets wrong things right, in a right manner, right place and right time.

Reflection 2: When was the last time a brother or sister confided to me his concerns? What was my reaction? What will I do the next time someone will approach me to seek advise?

Read Hebrews 10:23-25
Care is proactive. It is anticipating what may become of someone you care for. A parent will always ensure that his/her toddler will not stumble, fall and get hurt, and so, he will clear all possible hazards from the floor. He also knows exactly what the child needs before he even ask for it.

Jesus was followed by a large crowd of five thousand, who longed to be with Him and witness His miracles. He looked at them with His compassionate eyes and immediately knew exactly what they needed, after He healed their sickness, He satisfied their hunger out of few pieces of fish and loaves, all because He cared.

Reflection 3: Do I usually perceive the needs of my brothers and sisters and care enough to OFFER help before he/she ask for it?

Read Matthew 14:13-21; and 1 John 3:17

Care is courageously taking the risk. If you care, you don't mind what others may tell you, say about you or do to you. You are only focused on pursuing your righteous purpose and attaining a noble goal for others sake. Care is always a heroic quality of not being afraid to lose something just to gain a benefit for others.

Reflection 4: Is there any instance that I had to go through a risky situation just to help a brother or sister? Am I willing to sacrifice something (maybe time, effort, things, money or even life) for other disciples gain?

Read 1 John 3:16

Care is knowing a person inside out. It is not judging him based on impressions, expectations and obvious attributes. Care compels you to spend time with the person, know his background, familiarize his reactions to various situations, pay attention to his mannerisms and habits. Knowing a person requires constant communication and close encounters.

In this computer age, cutting-edge technology in communication allows us no excuse. Hermitage no longer exists as we all have communication media to influence our whole being. If we truly care, we must go extra miles, deny ourselves and talk to at least one of the brothers or sisters everyday through any means we have. PHONE, ichat, email, sms, and many others. One person a day, keeps selfishness away.

Reflection 5: When did I last spend time with a brother or sister? Do I know about each of them deeply? Am I considered to be one of their closest friend?

Read Matthew 25:31-46
Final Reflection:
As a member of this Spiritual Family, how do I rate myself in the aspect of caring, based on the descriptions given above? What plan of action should I take to monitor my growth in the area of caring?

Suggestion:
1 Thessalonians 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

Paul described his care to the Thessalonians as "MOTHER CARING FOR HIS LITTLE CHILDREN." Think about how our own mother cared for us, itemize the descriptions, create a checklist and a rating scale, apply them in our relationships within the Family of GOD, and daily, you rate yourself. This will surely help you attain maturity in the aspect of CARING.