The Importance of Compassion and Suffering with Others

Compassion and suffering with others are crucial virtues in today's society. St. Maximus the Confessor highlights the essence of true friendship as calmly enduring trials and suffering alongside neighbors. Personal experiences, like a nun's visit to a chiropractor, emphasize the significance of suffering together, even when it involves causing temporary pain for eventual healing. Understanding the etymology of compassion as 'suffering with' underscores the depth of genuine empathy and support needed in relationships.