Say Less: Part 2 // Pastor Magrey deVega // February 2, 2026

Empathy seems to be a lost art these days. It has even been villainized by certain segments of our political discourse. Empathy is not a weakness; it is a demonstration of strength, of security in oneself, and a reflection of the character of God, who empathized with humanity to such a degree that God became human just like us. It is a central idea in this passage of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and it is central to us as Christians.   

Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you tempted to stop at believing the right things about Jesus rather than doing the hard things he asks of you? 
2. What people are you struggling to empathize with? What “single story” might you need to change with deeper listening? 
3. How can you practice empathy by honoring another person’s humanity while still maintaining healthy emotional boundaries? 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps