Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
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Theme: Compassion
Opening Prayer
Mary Theresa: Compassionate One, open my eyes clearly enough to recognize where suffering exists in the lives of others. Open my heart deeply enough to activate a sense of empathy and a willingness to care. Open my hands wide enough to offer assistance. Amen.
Song: Do Not Fear by the Many
Reading: One Who Is Compassionate
Phillis: Hurting persons turned up everywhere Jesus went—hungry people, impoverished beggars, a widow burying her only son, a young man burdened with seizures, a woman shamed by the public, and a father desperate for his daughter to be healed. Jesus embraced with empathy these people and many more. He received their sorrow and distress with care. This compassionate approach required much from him. He was willing to keep a place in his heart for the suffering of others. Day after day he focused his attention on those around him, giving them the precious gift of his kindhearted presence. He set aside any desire to run from the pain-filled moans, desperate pleas, unpleasant odors, bodily wounds, and other distasteful aspects of those he served.
Rarely a day goes by without interacting with people who suffer, whether that be through the daily news, strangers we meet, or those we know personally. Sometimes we do not want to know or feel what another is going through, but we can still choose to be there in a caring way, because compassion is more than an emotion. This virtue involves empathy (allowing the hurt of another to reach our mind and heart) and taking action (being willing to do what we can to lessen the suffering). When we stand in solidarity with the hurting ones in our life and open our hearts to them, much will be required of us, as it was of Jesus. (from Jesus Friend of My Soul: Reflections for the Lenten Journey by Joyce Rupp)
Gratitude for Compassionate Presence by Joyce Rupp
Deb: Compassionate One, the amount of suffering in our world appears to be insurmountable, but the amount of kindheartedness is equally vast. It is easy to forget this. Let us give thanks for those who embody your love and let us be willing to share it.
We are grateful for: (Deb and Mary B. alternate)
persons who dedicate their livelihood to alleviate suffering in any form;
researchers in science, medicine, psychology, and other disciplines who study aspects of compassion related to the suffering of body, mind, and spirit;
directors, staff members, and participants of programs worldwide who focus on developing compassionate presence and altruistic action to alleviate suffering;
leaders of religion who both preach and live the tenets of a compassionate life;
teachers, parents, daycare providers, staff at youth rehabilitation centers, and all who interact with children in a respectful and reverent manner;
those who tirelessly minister to lonely, homeless, forgotten, imprisoned, war-wearied, immigrated, prostituted, and other marginalized individuals;
politicians and government leaders who consistently keep the needs of suffering people as one of their basic guidelines in decision-making;
persons who recognize and tend to the concerns of Earth’s creatures and natural world;
children whose generosity and sensitive concern for disenfranchised people leads them to reach out with acts of compassion;
wounded ones whose spirit is loving and large enough to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt them;
the countless men and women whose daily efforts to ease the suffering of others goes unnoticed, but makes a significant difference for people with mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual distress.
(pause silently to remember those who need our prayers)
Mary B: Compassionate One, you hear the cries of the world; we are grateful to you for showing us how to be with those who suffer. Thank you for your bountiful kindness offered to our world through people of selfless endeavor. How grateful we are that we can join them in being your loving heart and hands. We go forth with expanded gratitude and renewed inspiration to be a compassionate presence. Amen. (from Prayer Seeds by Joyce Rupp)
Come Be in My Heart by Sara Thomsen
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