In this time of COVID in which people are afflicted, sickened horrifically, and many die, it is easy to become hardened to the agony that is going on around us. It seems that our hearts can become overloaded as we empathize with the suffering we see, and the pain we shoulder with them. In sharing the grief, and commiserating with the pain of others, we can become overwhelmed, and to protect ourselves we tend to withdraw from what is happening, and to isolate ourselves from the trauma, but scripture tells us time and time again to comfort others, care for them, and provide for their needs. How are we doing in these stressful times? Do we pray for strength so that we can become a wellspring of strength and comfort to others, or has the pain we have internalized changed us into hardened souls? Are we looking for reasons not to comfort others?