Sometimes we are called to care for someone we'd just as soon not deal with (because they're JERKS!) (I didn't say that.)
In my experience, if I try to imagine what it's like to be him, if I try to listen, to be with him, I can be helpful to him.
A part of me still would be just as happy if he got a job transfer to Ulan Bator, but I can "be there for him" as long as he's in my neighborhood.
Of course the surprise often is that one develops a weird affection for such people. But still one can consciously and intentionally take up compassion for them "as unto the Lord," and the "passion" or "emotion" is the one one gets when doing any difficult but worthwhile thing.
Maybe that's somehow sorta kinda a little like what we're talking about.
Wise words.
Been there & done that a lot, by His grace.
Still do.
why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly? 7 For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time, 9 Christ died for us (Romans 5)
It makes me think of that adage: “the people who influence you the most are the people who believe in you.”
Just answering the call to care for someone even if that person is a JERK is a form of believing in them.— and that’s a Christian witness that is up-front and personal. That’s what makes it work for everybody concerned.
This scenario of yours is exactly how I came to want to be Catholic-—someone cared enough about me to show me what a good Catholic looked like.