"In a very real way, the Master speaks to us: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.' Let us listen for his knock. Let us open the door of our hearts, that he — the living example of true compassion — may enter."

Jesus has provided us many examples of compassionate concern:

"The crippled man at the pool of Bethesda; the woman taken in adultery; the woman at Jacob's well; the daughter of Jairus; Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha — each represented a casualty on the Jericho road. Each needed help."

The Savior has always shown unlimited capacity for compassion.

"I extol those who, with loving care and compassionate concern, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless. He who notes the sparrow's fall will not be unmindful of such service. In his compassion and according to his divine plan, holy temples bring to our Father's children the peace which surpasses understanding."

In the musical play, "Camelot," King Arthur dreams of a better world and an ideal relationship with others when he says, "Violence is not strength, and compassion is not weakness.

"We have no way of knowing when our privilege to extend a helping hand will unfold before us. The road to Jericho each of us travels bears no name, and the weary traveler who needs our help may be one unknown."

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