In her letter to The Catholic Spirit (Aug. 21) Ellen Chmiel states the following: "Many religions consider it (homosexual activity) sinful, but Jesus never said one word about gays." This is true — at least in the recorded words of the Gospels. We know of course that Jesus spoke volumes more to his disciples than what is actually recorded in the Gospels.

What Jesus clearly did speak about was that sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful. It is simply not in keeping with our call to chastity — a calling that every living person has.

The fact that Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels as having defined such sexual activity as either homosexual or heterosexual is truly a distinction without a difference. Can anyone seriously doubt that when the Lord condemned sexual activity outside of marriage, he was of course referring to any kind of sexual activity?

Ellen Chmiel’s letter is very much about urging greater compassion for homosexuals. I couldn’t agree more! In fact, our Church has been at the forefront of urging such compassion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church stresses that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity."

In addition, our U.S. Bishops published a pastoral letter in 1997, Always Our Children, stressing among other things this same command. It was one of the most beautiful and compelling documents ever written by our bishops. It was intended primarily for parents of homosexuals and includes numerous suggestions and insights that have proven to be extremely helpful to parents of homosexual children.

It also clearly condemns any form of unjust discrimination against homosexuals. Nevertheless, the document completely affirms the Church’s teaching on homosexuality.

Therein lies a central question. What is the main form of compassion that Jesus practiced? A bedrock example is how he treated the woman caught in the act of adultery (John Chapter 8).

After all of her accusers had left the scene Jesus and the woman are alone. Consider how gentle and compassionate Jesus is with her. She is suddenly bathed in the fullness of God’ love, mercy and forgiveness!

And yet, what is the last thing Jesus says to the woman? Simply, "You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin."

Even in the fullness of compassion Jesus still made clear to the woman what area of her life she had to change. And she left fully inspired to do it and fully empowered to be able to do it. Why? Because she had had a personal encounter with her Lord and savior!

In other words, the highest form of compassion for Jesus is making clear to us the path we must follow in this life that will lead us to eternal life. Any sinful obstacle to that goal needs to be addressed. But Jesus assures us that anyone seriously committed to doing this full power of his grace will eventually find success even if the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness needs to be extended to us countless times throughout our lives.