Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Compassion and Gratitude

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, Feb 05, 2024

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines.

Compassion means to “suffer with.” A compassionate person suffers with another person with attentive and consoling love. Jesus encountered suffering during His ministry and responded with compassion. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and forgave sins. The ministry of Jesus teaches us that gratitude completes compassion.

A person who suffers “with” another may not feel compassionate. When it’s time for Dad to change the diapers, he typically doesn’t enter the changing room with joy. But he responds to the needs of his baby with compassion. (Thank you, Lord, for celibacy.) We need to cultivate dutiful compassion according to our states of life. …

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