Heart to Heart Chat
† Heart to Heart Chat – May 11, 2025
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My dear friends,
When someone asked St. Mother Teresa, why do you bring the old people
almost in the dying condition to your home? You cannot do much to them.
Mother Teresa responded. I offer them true love and care to show that God’s
compassionate presence is still there for them in their lives. Thus, I help them to
die with dignity. What a compassionate accompaniment!
Walk with one is a strong suggestion coming from our Bishop’s pastoral letter.
What does it imply. It is nothing but compassionately accompanying someone to
Jesus. One of the best virtues of our Christian life is compassionate
accompaniment. We see a true model of that when Jesus joined his disciples to
Emmaus. The disciples to Emmaus were tired to the bone, confused, and grief-
stricken. They were still mulling over everything happened to their teacher in
Jerusalem. They couldn’t find any proper meaning in life, because they invested
everything with Jesus and his life has ended at that time. Whatever they
considered so meaningful and true became meaningless and futile. When
everything in life becomes so chaotic and meaningless for someone, that is
moment we need to accompany people with true compassion. It is a gentle and
patient journey. As Jesus approached and accompanied them gently, he opens a
new world of life to them. Through the scripture, he explains to them how
salvation comes through suffering. What Jesus did to them was restoring the
courage and confidence in their hearts about God’s plan for their salvation. After
Jesus travelling with them, the disciples had a new sense of joy and hope for
their life. It could be so true to all of us too. When someone is so downcast in
his/her life, just be there for that person. Support them with your compassionate
and non-judgmental presence. Offer your prayerful support. If possible, pray
with them. Read and reflect some comforting Gospel passages with them. Hold
some spiritual conversations with them when they are ready. Bring them to the
Eucharist. Reaffirm their faith in the Lord and encourage them to find a new
meaning for their life. When we accompany people in trouble with patience and
love then what we do is a Compassionate Spiritual Accompaniment. There
are many who need this, and this is one of the best ways we can bring our fallen
away Catholic brothers and sisters back to the Church. Let us prayerfully
consider who I can choose to accompany in faith. Walk with one as Jesus did.
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Xavier Ilango
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