The Opposite of Fear is Compassion

     When we watch the evening news or read the newspaper we may learn of or are reminded of suffering in the Middle East, Africa, or other areas of the world where bad things are happening to fellow human beings. Many of us may feel empathy and/or sadness and a desire to help; these feelings are, more times than not, described as compassion. But is it really compassion that is being expressed?

     An older (archaic) definition of passion is “a struggle or suffering”; i.e., the passion of Christ. The prefix “com” before a word usually means “with.” To me, the roots of the word, compassion, suggest a rethinking of its common or contemporary definition; it tells me this peculiar word truly means “struggling or suffering with.” If we accept this “true” definition, can we, then, honestly say, “We have compassion for the unfortunate of the world,” if we are not, indeed, struggling or suffering with them? And if we say we want to exercise true compassion, what is keeping us from doing so?

     The late, Reverend Peter Gomes, a theologian and minister at Harvard University’s Memorial Church, in his book,  The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, states that “living in fear is no way for a mature, much less a Christian, society to flourish.” That is a strong statement, and Gomes’ discussion of the “fear factor” is very interesting and thought-provoking; indeed, it certainly may be the one factor that ultimately keeps us from “doing for others.” 

     Persuasively, Reverend Gomes argues that fear and compassion are opposites, specifically that “the opposite of fear is not courage but compassion.” Personally, I would simply argue that fear and compassion are in no way, complementary. However, I understand what Gomes is conveying to the reader: we cannot do for others while fearing to do so. Christ did for us by overcoming the fear of His ultimate passion. Gomes also cites the example of the Good Samaritan; how he never would have responded to any stranger had he given into his fears “both of the dangers of the highway and of what others might think of his imprudent but compassionate behavior."

     In light of Gomes’ discussion of the opposite of fear being compassion, wouldn’t  Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. David Livingstone, Dr. Martin Luther King, and “like” others (untold numbers not as well known) be considered as having or having had true compassion? For me, personally, the word “compassion” now has a deeper meaning than that which has been accepted for the common or contemporary use of the word.

     The Reverend Gomes’ book, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, in its entirety, truly is a message for the reader. Yes, this reader fears for his well-being in certain parts of the world, to include streets in America. And I will continue to express concern for the unfortunate of this world with prayers for relief from their struggles and suffering. But, if I am ever called to overcome the fear of going and doing for others, I will proceed with true compassion.