To whom did Jesus demonstrate compassion? When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them all because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd (Mt. 9:36). He had no harsh words for ordinary sinners like you and me. Not even for the Samaritans who refused him refuge on his way to Jerusalem. James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy them, but Jesus rebuked them for their judgmental attitude. There were …

• No condemning words or even accusations of sinfulness for the Samaritan woman at the well.

• None for the notoriously immoral woman who anointed his feet in the home of Simon the Pharisee.

• None for the woman caught in adultery. Jesus told her that he did not condemn her, but that she should abandon her adulterous lifestyle.

• None for Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and wealthy through overcharging; who served the Roman occupying force and was a traitor. All he said to him was: "I must stay at your house today".

• None for the prodigal son. "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Let's have a fest and celebrate."

• None for his angry and complaining elder brother: "My son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours."

• There were no reprimanding words for Martha for ordering Jesus to tell Mary to help her in the kitchen.

• No condemning words for the rich young ruler, just an invitation to follow him. Jesus had "looked at him and loved him" (Mk. 10:21).

• No words of condemnation for James and John asking to sit at his right and left in his kingdom, even though the other disciple criticized them.

• None for Peter when he said: "Go away from me Lord for I am a sinful man" but rather "Don't be afraid; from now on you and I will be co-workers."

• None for Peter even after his denial; rather a look of loving forgiveness, and after the resurrection a miracle of 153 large fish and a recommissioning.

All these examples demonstrate the truth of his words: "I have come to save the world and not to judge it [in the here and now]. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken" (John 12:44-50).