Mercy and compassion according to Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II,Dalai Lama and others

1. 1
THE INCARNATION OF MERCY
Especially through His lifestyle and
through His actions, Jesus revealed that
love is present in the world in which we
live - an effective love, a love that
addresses itself to man and embraces
everything that makes up his humanity.

2. This love makes itself particularly noticed in
contact with suffering, injustice and poverty
- in contact with the whole historical
"human condition," which in various ways
manifests man's limitation and frailty, both
physical and moral. It is precisely the mode
and sphere in which love manifests itself
that in biblical language is called "mercy.“
- John Paul II, Dives in misericordia 2

3. What is Compassion?
Definition:
“…a sensitivity to the suffering
of self and others, with a deep
commitment to try to relieve it.”
The Dalai Lama (1995)
3

4. Compassion
4

5. 5
Definition:
“Mercy first means treating the
wounds. When someone is wounded,
he needs this immediately, not tests
such as the level of cholesterol and
one’s glycemic index.... But there’s a
wound, treat the wound, and then we
can look at the results of the tests.”
Pope Francis’ Address to the parish priests of the
diocese of Rome (6 March 2014)
What is Mercy?

6. 6
“True mercy takes the person into
one’s care, listens to him attentively,
approaches the situation with respect
and truth, and accompanies him on
the journey of reconciliation... his
heart is capable of having
compassion, it is the heart
of Christ!”
Pope Francis’ Address to the parish priests of
the diocese of Rome (6 March 2014)
What is True Mercy?

7. 7
“... And how do we accompany and foster the journey of
holiness? Through pastoral suffering, which is a form of
mercy. What does pastoral suffering mean?
It means suffering for and with the person.”
Pope Francis’ Address to the parish priests of the diocese
of Rome (6 March 2014)
Mercy accompanies the journey of
holiness and makes it grow...

8. Components of Compassion
WARMTH
WARMTH WARMTH
WARMTH
Gilbert , 2009

9. Compassion Circle
Attributes Compassion to others
1. Sensitivity I would notice that the person was
distressed
2. Sympathy I would feel moved to help the person
3. Non-judgmental I would accept the person in their distress
4. Empathy The person’s feelings would make sense to
me
5. Distress
Tolerance
I would be able to tolerate being with the
person
6. Well-being The person’s well-being would be important
to me.
Ref: Professor Paul Gilbert, The Compassionate Mind. 9

10. • Identification with and understanding of
another’s situation, feelings, and motives.
• Trying to understand another person’s
experience; to put yourself in their shoes.
10
EMPATHY

11. 11

12. Empathetic Listening…
•is a way of listening and responding to
another person that improves mutual
understanding and trust.
Benefits of Empathetic Listening:
 Builds trust and respect
 Allows for emotional release
 Reduces tensions
 Uncovers “hidden” information
 Creates a safe environment
 Helps clarify parties’ thoughts
 Aids understanding of context 12

13. How to Listen Empathetically
• Actively attempt to
understand the other’s point
of view
• Take in information without
passing judgment
• Acknowledge the speaker
• Model empathetic practices
• Create a trusting
environment
• Allow the expression of
emotion and sharing of
problems 13

14. EMPATHETIC LISTENING…
SPECIFIC THINGS TO DO
14
• Be attentive
• Be interested
• Be alert
• Create a positive atmosphere
• Allow the other to bounce
ideas off of you
• Indicate you are listening
• Reflect your understanding
back to the speaker

15. Empathetic Listening…
Specific things to Avoid
DON’T:
• Change the subject
• Discount the speakers’
feelings
• Let the speaker “hook” you
into an emotional exchange
• Interrupt
• Give advice
• Interrogate
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16. 16

17. 17
Man attains to the merciful love of God, His
mercy, to the extent that he himself is
interiorly transformed in the spirit of that love
towards his neighbor.
- John Paul II, Dives in misericordia
THE
CHURCH
SEEKS TO
PUT MERCY
INTO
PRACTICE