Dear Church Family,
I have observed church life and practice for long enough now to know that not everything claimed to be Christian is actually infused with the spirit of Jesus.  Behavior says a lot more than words.  
Recently, some of the national conversation has suggested  empathy is  not necessarily a good thing , but is, according to one public figure, a “fundamental weakness of western civilization.”  Caring for others fosters dependency, coddling of weakness, parasitic behavior. It is a character flaw according to this perspective that diminishes a culture.  Such views are not new, and tend to reflect the thinking of 19thc. philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, who touted the virtues of power, strength, domination, aggressiveness, self assertion over the religious virtues of compassion, kindness, forgiveness, mercy, love. 
What concerns me is evidence that some elements within the Christian church are picking up on this and trying to give a religious rationale to this denigration of empathy and  Christian virtues.  This must be rejected as heretical, totally opposed to the spirit of Jesus,  regardless of how “religious” those promoting such a view sound. 
As Christians, we must learn to discriminate between values and practices which are consistent with Jesus’ teaching and those which are not. Christianity promotes empathy and an attitude of service.  It seeks the well being of others, especially the neediest and most vulnerable. It proclaims a love which extends beyond one’s self, one’s community, one’s group, even one’s nation. Being a people committed to compassion and empathy has been one of our country’s great strengths and we dare not lose that core value. 
June 1 is a communion Sunday.  The lessons are Psalm 34:1-10 and John 6:1-14.  The sermon’s title is “Good Taste.” 
See you in church.
Rich