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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.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

Does it make a difference if we learn to appreciate one another within our congregations across theological and cultural differences? Today it is essential, not a luxury. I’ve come to deeply appreciate any practice that puts some space between our quick reactivity and our actions. A few decades ago, such practices were demeaned as self-absorbed navel-gazing. Quite the contrary, such practices are essential to break the imprisonment caused by naming anyone different from ourselves as “enemy.” We must examine such attitudes and break their power over us in the name of Jesus’ calling to compassion.

—Dwight H. Judy, A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life (Upper Room Books, 2013)

Today’s Question

How can you show more compassion toward others? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said] Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
—Luke 6:36 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Registration is now open for RESILIENCE | Practicing Compassion in a World of Conflict. Join us on September 29-30, 2023, as we explore the transformative power of compassion in a world marked by division. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Day of Pentecost

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted May 23, 2023 9:38 am

    As I live in Pittsburgh, and it is freshly front and center in the news due to jury selection, the Tree of Life tragedy and how all denominations came together to aid and comfort those of the Jewish faith is uppermost in my mind. Those with churches offered them as places to relocate their services to until a new synagogue was built or the old renovated. The entire community ralied and provided money. I bought a t-shirt from which the sale proceeds were donated to the victims families. The entire Pittsburgh community mourned with them . I pray to have this manner of compassion every day and for everyone.
    The painting company guy came yesterday and I am waiting for his estimate. The flooring company guy is supposed to come today. However, he never showed up when he was supposed to last week and I had to call him to find out what was going on and reschedule. If today is a repeat, I will go with another flooring company.

  • Jill Posted May 23, 2023 5:49 pm

    My compassion can be demonstrated by the time I offer, the words (or lack thereof) which I speak, the eye contact which I maintain. Sensitive questioning, being willing to hear another’s story – these are life giving – for both people.
    Had a meeting after school – which didn’t run too long. Came home, grilled out dinner and spent some time in my flower beds. Maybe about 75% done. Will hopefully have more time to spend Thursday evening or Friday. Hoping to purchase some flats of annuals Friday after school.
    Began storing away some things in my class this afternoon.
    Have a webinar here in a bit – it is about “grateful grief”. I seem awake enough to take it in. It is a five part series. I didn’t do the first two – but have recordings of them. Hopefully they aren’t necessarily chronological. We will see.

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