When Jesus saw his mother from the cross, his heart was moved by her. He knew that his pain was deeper than that of anyone else who was there, and he paid attention to it.

The pain of parents when they see a son or daughter suffering and dying can hardly be described. I have seen this again and again as I have to serve and help grieving parents. I suffer with them, but at the same time, I know that my pain does not compare with what I would feel if the person who was suffering and dying was my son, daughter or grandchild.

This sometimes disturbs me. Although I want to be a person who genuinely cares about others and I want to "mourn with those who mourn", I also realize that my affliction is not as deep as that of the members of the affected family. But being outside the family circle does not give me an excuse to not care about what happens to them.

God wants us to compare the sorrows of others (Romans 12:15). Instead of ignoring their pain, we must have part in it through fervent prayer, kind words and works of love.

Thank God for family ties. It is natural to experience a deep sense of loss when someone close to us dies, but we must also look for ways to identify with the sorrows of those who are suffering.

God allows us to experience the two places of the situation, as sufferers to know what the pain of separation is, and as comforters to the pain of others.

Compassion means that two hearts carry the same charge