Today’s Reflection
Compassion lies at the heart of the authentic Christ-following life. Any spiritual experience – whether it be one of solitude and silence, prayer and fasting, or worship and celebration – that does not result in a deeper concern for our suffering neighbors can hardly be called Christian. The critical test of relationship with the Holy One always involves the quality of our love for those around us. If our communion with God isolates us from the painful realities of our world or inoculates us into an excessive preoccupation with our own well-being, it must be considered suspect. If, on the other hand, it finds expression in greater compassion and a willingness to show care, then it passes the test for genuineness. This authenticity test surfaces when we ponder the words and deeds of Jesus.
—Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)
Today’s Question
Where are opportunities in your life to treat others with compassion like the Good Samaritan did? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them — they are more than the sand; I come to the end — I am still with you.
—Psalm 139:16-17 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Early registration for our virtual event RESILIENCE | Practicing Compassion in a World of Conflict is ending on August 1st. For just $99, you can join us on September 29-30 as we explore the transformative power of compassion in a world marked by division. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
1 Comment
If we are looking and asking God to make us aware of these opportunities, they will be there – in front of us, with action to be taken.
I was really struck by this sentence from the reading…”The critical test of relationship with the Holy One always involves the quality of our love for those around us.” Does our religion, spirituality cause us to put up walls and cast out people, or does it encourage courageous conversations, elicit opportunities to demonstrate Christ-like listening and love, and stand with open arms ready to embrace compassionately?
My sister and I took a day trip yesterday to Ann Arbor – where the nation’s largest juried arts and crafts show was taking place. This is the third time I have been to it and it didn’t disappoint. We were mindful of the weather as strong storms were in the forecast. We got done with time to grab a very late lunch and then get on the road. We had to stop for 30 minutes while it rained, blew and hailed. The storms prevailed eastward, with a second line behind them. They second line chased us all the way home, but we made it with minimal rain. My sister kept looking in the rearview mirror and saying it was black. She dropped me off and hurried home. Shortly after she arrived, the tornado sirens were going off down at her place. But – all is well this AM.
Dad cancelled golf for today, as his arm is hurting him a bit. He and Don are playing in a 9 hole outing where they live tomorrow. I have had busy few days and welcome the day off.
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