The compasion

"One to another, be good, compassionate ..." Ephesians 4. 32

The German abbot Franz Stock (1904-1948) was chaplain of the Parisian prisons of Fresnes, Cherche-Midi and the Health during the Second World War from 1941 to 1944. The soldiers of the Hitler's army imprisoned resistance fighters, political opponents or Jews before driving them to death. This religious accompanied more than 11,000 people to Mont Valérien where they were shot. Father Stock was assisting these prisoners in particular by sending, at his own risk as it was forbidden, letters to families or families to the detainees, offering books, mainly Christian literature, or some sweets. He presented to all the Savior ; some accepted it, others refused it, God only knows ... Some of these prisoners said that his presence alone showed compassion and love !

Here is a brave Christian who put into practice the verse of the day, showing the love of the Savior of the world in a hostile environment ! He had an example in the person of Jesus who, "seeing the crowds, was moved with compassion for them" (Matt 9:30). Compassionate in the face of a crowd that has needs and presents itself to him, but also to individuals in particular, a leper (Mark 1:41), the blind (Matthew 20:34), a poor widow (Luke 7). 13) ... No one was anonymous in the eyes of Father Stock who met everyone in particular ; the same person is anonymous in the eyes of Jesus ; in the midst of a crowd he discerns the needs of each and wants to show his compassion to everyone.

Every believer has experienced time and again that "the Lord is full of compassion" (James 5: 11), after asking God : "May your mercies come upon me, and I will live" (Psalm 11: 77). Having benefited from the help and compassion of God, it is up to him, now, to manifest these divine compassions as this prison chaplain did. It is not only the inmates who need to be presented with the compassions of God, not only those who go through trials, but all those who are still prisoners of Satan and who have not put their trust in him. love of God ; it is our responsibility and our honor to speak to them about the free salvation that God still offers today.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)