Red Cross Can Inspire Us to Be Better

Justice and Compassion in Australian Red Cross

Compassion is a feeling of deep sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Justice as a catholic understanding, centres on treating people fairly, it is a cardinal virtue, a human quality that helps form our character and guides us through our thoughts and actions. Australian Red Cross is a humanitarian aid and community services in Australia and an auxiliary to government. Justice and compassion is important to Red Cross Australia as their goal is to save and support people’s lives before and after disaster strikes according to their official website “We work to alleviate suffering during wars and conflict and promote the laws of war. And we work to assist our most vulnerable community members – no matter their circumstances” This is an important statement as they are communicating to people that the health and safety of everyone’s lives are important and their priority. Through the services they provide such as providing aid to elderly, homeless, for people battling mental health issues and Aborginal and torres strait islander people, they express justice and compassion as they believe everyone deserves to receive aid and care when needed.

The Help Red Cross Provides

Their vision is human dignity, peace, safety and wellbeing for all. Whereas their purpose is to empower and support communities and people in their times of vulnerability. They aim to reduce suffering across Australia and internationally through mobilising the power of humanity. Red Cross Australia are commonly known and commended for their medical aid for people before, during and after a disaster occurs. On their website, they state that they work with politicians, organisations and the public to improve the situation of the vulnerable. They aim to minimise the social, psychological, emotional and economic impacts of disasters by supporting people who have been through them. Another act of justice and compassion Red Cross demonstrate through their work include donating blood to people who need it, saving lives. This gives people a fighting chance of survival. For each person that donates blood, that is 22 medical procedures that can be completed for patients that have been diagnosed with things such as cancer and blood diseases. 3 lives can be saved for each person that donates blood.

Red Cross as Our Example

Through their work and social justice, Red Cross Australia has enabled us to become better Christians in today’s society. This organisation highlights the most important rule that we are taught as Christians, The Golden Rule, which is to treat others how you would like to be treated. Through this teaching, we learn to live ethically and compassionately, and promote peace in our world. This is an example of how we become better Christians through the acts of Red Cross Australia, as they aid for everyone no matter the age, gender or circumstance. We learn to give back to society and reach out to those who are incapable to support themselves, to give them a sense of hope and dignity. That is what the whole organisation is about, aiding those people who need it most, saving lives and trying to minimise and prevent any future disaster that would leave people with physical and mental damage.

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18. The reason I have chosen this passage is because it clearly portrays the idea that God is a compassionate being, and a “God of Justice”. This is also expressed through Red Cross Australia through their mission and foundation of their work. This passage is a perfect example of how we as Christians can better ourselves and take initiatives to further help our neighbours, which is what God does everyday.

Bibliography

1. Australian Red Cross https://www.redcross.org.au/
2. BibleGateway – Keyword Search: justice compassion https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=justice+compassion&qs_version=NIV