Children Quote by Marcus Borg
“One of God's central qualities is compassion, a word that in Hebrew is related to the word for "womb." Not only is compassion a female image suggesting source of life and nourishment but it also has a feeling dimension: God as compassionate Spirit feels for us as a mother feels for the children of her womb. Spirit feels the suffering of the world and participates in it. . . .”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, 2005
Compassion is likened to a mother’s womb, emphasizing nurturing and shared suffering.
In simple terms: Compassion is nurturing and empathetic.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate compassionate empathy.
Themes
spirituality
compassion
gender symbolism
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- counseling
- community service
- parenting
- healing work
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing compassion as maternal affect your practice?
- Can compassion be expressed beyond gendered metaphors?
A Different Perspective
May overlook non‑maternal expressions of compassion.
