Now, the "Way of Tears" is an activated compassion that knows the suffering of every other to be, in fact, her very own. This essential identification with the Suffering Poor (the Suffering Christ-in-the-Poor) is the spiritual identification with Jesus that really matters! One could "go to Church" seven days a week, but if he still watches and believes FOX News, it won't matter one whit. Compassion stands on Truth: Truth requires Justice: Justice demands Equality: Equality builds Peace: Together, these stunning virtues make for a "social" and "soulful" Harmony...
Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement with Dorothy Day, used to say that "the poor are the ambassadors of God". In other words, it is precisely in how we treat the poor among us that we treat "God". This is not an obtuse point: it is the very crux of genuine spirituality, regardless of personal beliefs or opinions: it is meant for each and every one of us precisely because it is the right way to live! Do you see the "illegal immigrant"? Welcome her into your home and community. Do you see the Muslim? Sit down and break bread with him. Do you see the gay couple? Invite them to the ballgame with you. Every other is your very self unveiled: we have been tasked by the Master Poet to love others as we love ourselves: this is the Christian faith without the poo-hoo-ey. And one of the special things about this is that one need not be Christian to practice it: one could be Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, Atheist, or Other, and one could still practice, and unleash, their love-without-limits!