Henry Nouwen’s reflections on compassion stayed with me yesterday and this morning, echoing a persistent unease about its absence in our current leadership. The shift is stark: where once compassion guided policy, now toughness and retribution reign. A fear of appearing “weak” seems to drive a culture of insensitivity, a far cry from the nuanced strength of figures like Lincoln, who balanced resolve with empathy. Even in recent memory, leaders like Clinton demonstrated that compassion could be a political asset, not a liability.
Today, however, a race to the bottom prevails, with leaders and their entourages vying for who can project the most aggression. This toxic dynamic extends to the media, further amplifying the rancor.
One must wonder: can civility and kindness reclaim their place in our government? Do we truly aspire to a justice system defined by vengeance? Is national wealth our sole measure of success? History suggests that compassion and mercy ultimately prevail. Yet, the urgent question remains: how long must we wait for their resurgence?”
Leave a Reply +