The Sin of Empathy
Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
When Bishop +Mariann Budde preached at the Interfaith Service of Prayer for Nation, she beseeched President Trump to have mercy on the most vulnerable among us. Her words triggered an avalanche of MAGA, Christian Nationalist, and far-right condemnation. Much of it highlighted what her critics literally called “the sin of empathy.” Their argument was that “empathy” amounts to a false gospel of “kindness” that enables a culture of “coddling” and “weakness.”
Earlier this month, Elon Musk said on Joe Rogan’s podcast, “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” Musk is aligning himself with a burgeoning hard-right movement that insists people must steel their hearts against stories of pain, loss and suffering to avoid being manipulated. You see, a love for the “other” or a stranger is a distraction. In my view, it’s a selfish view of morality that willfully blunts our ability to see not only the suffering of others, but others…period—just like the rich man from Luke’s gospel who failed to see Lazarus suffering right in front of him. He lacked any sense of empathy, much less compassion, and he now sits in Hades.
Let me define empathy: it is not a feeling. It is the ability to recognize and respond to the reality, emotion, and pain of others. It’s putting yourself in one another’s place, understanding their context, seeing things as they see them, even when it doesn’t match with your experience. Empathy is not toxic, nor is it a sin. It moves us from understanding to action. This is why the ability to empathize is a threat to those with a need to control.
I believe that one must be willing to listen to, and learn from, the experiences of others, and then to allow those experiences—and the demonstrable proof of either their flourishing or their suffering—to set one’s moral framework. Politically, this is why those who seek total control perceive empathy and compassion as threats.
Before closing, here are only two verses of scripture that counter the “empathy as sin” argument—“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). Dear Ones, please know that God’s love knows no limits, no borders, no nothing! We are commanded to love one another as Christ Jesus loves us. This means to let empathy reign and repent from indifference.
prayer
Gracious and merciful God, grant me the wisdom and compassion to see beyond my own judgments and to recognize the humanity in those I may scorn or disrespect. Forgive me for my pride and lack of empathy, and help me to treat others with the same love and respect I desire for myself. May I be guided by your generous love and understanding and extend grace just as you extend it to me. Amen.
Daily Lenten meditations each have a companion morning prayer video offered by the same clergy. View the YouTube playlist to find this meditation’s companion video, or to watch others.