Raguel sprang up and kissed him, shedding tears of joy. But when he heard that Tobit had lost his eyesight, he was grieved and wept aloud. He said to Tobiah: "My child, God bless you! You are the son of a noble and good father. But what a terrible misfortune that such a righteous and charitable man should be afflicted with blindness!" He continued to weep in the arms of his kinsman Tobiah. His wife Edna also wept for Tobit; and even their daughter Sarah began to weep. (Tobit 7:6-8)

Empathy is crucial to being in relationship. Our ability to share the perspective and feeling of the other, and their ability to do the same, is the core of any meaningful relationship.

In this way we recognize our common identity. In this way we honor one another. With empathy as our guide we can help one another.

Distance is sometimes a help to empathy. Tobit's wife has, perhaps, shared too much of Tobit's reality to readily empathize.

Raguel bursts into tears. Separated by years and miles, he immediately assumes the mind of Tobit. For at least a moment, he experiences the pain that Tobit has experienced.

Empathy does not require sympathy. But empathy is the most initimate way of knowing another. In a moment we can lose ourselves to another.