Reflection Questions: Chapter 9, "Action"

Questions for reflection while reading Chapter 9, "Action", pp. 114-127

1. In this chapter, the authors present something that is pretty astounding: they say that "confrontation is an integral part of compassion. Confrontation can indeed by an authentic [emphasis mine] expression of compassion" (122). What do you think they mean by this? How do they define "confrontation"?

2. The authors suggest that there might be other images of Jesus Christ that we could use as models in our direct confrontations as expressions of compassion -- images that are radically different from the image of the "meek and mild person". What are some examples from the Gospels that you might think of?

3. On page 124-125, the authors cite Cesar Chavez as an example of confrontation "characterized by gratitude". Can you think of similar concrete examples? How have these examples impacted your own life?