What Do You Need?

“What do you need?” is a powerful question because it communicates intention and consent. Such an exchange opens up the pathway to further conversation through sharing empathy. Empathy is feeling with someone and not sympathy. Sympathy tries to put a silver lining into the mess and results in creating distance between people. When we remain open, practice empathy, and begin the conversation, we practice the care for others that Jesus taught and God’s radical love is revealed in the midst of the question and the answer.