It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2
“Compassionate those who are kept in bondage, as though ye also were bondsmen. Console those who are under sorrow. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting. From the one we win the merit of discharging a duty, from the other the stain of a transgression. And again, in the one case the reward is yet hoped for, in the other it is received. Sympathize with those who suffer as if ye suffered together with them.”
Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-397) in Letter 63.106.
In A.D. 396, Ambrose wrote this letter less than a year before His death to the Church of Vercellæ. Among his exhortations were the benefits of self-denial, the profit of fasting, and he bids them ‘stand fast,’ and not be led astray by false teachers.
His counsel has never been more appropriate. He knew death would someday claim his life so he sent a message to the living. They were to compassionate those in bondage, console those in sorrow, and sympathize with the suffering.
If we live for ourselves we create havoc all around. If we live for others we, in effect, remove stain by spreading blessing. This impact reaches all the lives we touch. I am praying for my neighbors locally who are in bondage and for friends under sorrow or suffering globally.
God, forgive us for our selfishness and sinfulness. Help us say ‘no’ to ourselves so we can say ‘yes’ to others. Cause us to stand fast in world filled with corruption and false teaching. Renew our strength to lift up others. Do this in the name of Jesus. Amen.