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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

Too often the church is, as I was, quick to meet human suffering with disgust and frustration rather than compassion and service. And far too often, the church perceives certain activity as an insult rather than what it truly is: a cry for help.

The church should never turn away from those seeking relief from the pains of life, no matter how undesirable the cause of their pain. When Jesus encountered ten men suffering from leprosy, he did not turn away. When Jesus encountered a woman suffering from continuous vaginal bleeding, he did not turn away. Jesus always had time for the sick, the hurting, the hungry, the poor, and the dying. Jesus desired the undesirable, the rejected, those who found themselves lying on life’s cold pavement in silence, whose presence and suffering screamed for notice.

—Michael W. Waters, Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture (Fresh Air Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

When have you felt disgust when you should have shown compassion? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Because he didn’t despise or detest
the suffering of the one who suffered—
he didn’t hide his face from me.
No, he listened when I cried out to him for help.
—Psalm 22:24 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God,
Help my generation rise to meet the challenges of our day with courage and integrity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Through rich and moving stories of people from various faiths, author Frank Rogers Jr. shows ways to incorporate compassion in our daily lives. Start practicing compassion with Rogers in our Academy Recommends eCourse.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines. Save 45% on Disciplines 2021 and get free shipping with the promo code DISC45. Good only for the regular and enlarged-print editions and while supplies last.

 

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted June 26, 2021 7:18 am

    As a human, prone to errors, I am sure I have done this many times. Seeing people asking for donations at street corners, traffic lights, intersections, I’ve given less than I gave.
    The weather is warming up again, nothing like out west or down south, but many more days in the 90s than there used to be. Thankfully the plan we realized works and we stay cool.
    It will be an emotion filled day tomorrow as Pastor Sue leads worship one last time as out pastor. A grand celebration is planned to thank her for all she has done over the last 20 years. Her pastoral skills will still be in use as a hospice chaplain and pastor mentor. She will remain in “the valley.”
    Read the posts from a few days ago, I need to take notes to remind me of all that is happening and then respond. Prayers that the progress being made continues, problems are resolved, you are all encouraged and lifted up. Have a blessed weekend, stay cool and comfortable. Thank You, Lord

  • Julie Posted June 26, 2021 8:58 am

    I know I do this when I see certain things occuring around me and I know I shouldn’t. It happens a lot when I am shopping in certain stores.
    It will be very warm here for the next several days. Megan and I will be together again tomorrow since her dad is still in Eagles Mere (his home town) tying up lose ends associated with his mom’s death. The man at the Middle Eastern store I went to is having his brother make a spice mixture just for me so we need to go back to the strip (an area of Pittsburgh with many stores and many of them are ethnic). Maybe the library again.
    Prayers for improved health and finances for Ally, David and Marcy. Prayers for improved family relationships for Jill and Robert. Prayers for pastor Sue and the congregation as they mourn the loss of her guidance and celebrate her contributions and their affection for her.
    Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who visit here.

  • Jill Posted June 26, 2021 10:14 am

    Way too often has my thought gone to disgust rather than compassion – when seeing the homeless on corners, whether passing them by in my car, or walking or running past them near my house. Also when serving dinner at the homeless shelter. I ask myself – is sadness compassion? Probably not. When I recognized a student from my school in the line for dinner at the homeless shelter, there was sadness. I think my sadness turns into hopelessness as far as what difference can I make? When I attended my previous church, during the dead of winter, I would bake a small ham – and take it to the corner where the homeless person stood. I always wondered if the person was grateful and if the ham made was used to nourish the person and possibly his family. Or was the food traded for something else. I didn’t even like having those thoughts – but they were there nonetheless.
    Yes, temps rising here too. I will be stopping by to see my friend’s mother. Will offer to pick her up some Thai – as when I leave her house I will be getting Thai and going over to my other friend’s house for dinner, walk with her dogs and time spent talking about the book we are reading through.
    I should mow my grass, but not much motivation. Tomorrow is dad’s church’s golf outing in the afternoon – so it likely won’t get done tomorrow. Maybe after I eat lunch I will be motivated.

  • Ally Posted June 27, 2021 3:46 pm

    Hello all, hood to be with you today. We’ve had a crazy week. David has had some lower GI issues, which caused some urinary issues and he spent 1 night in ER. He saw his primary next day. We have been exhausted last couple days. Praise God his issue seems to be resolved.
    Though I haven’t been able to comment, I have read the daily entries and pondered the questions. I’ve found them thought-provoking and would like to explore the book further. Re: today’s entry: I’m ashamed to say I experienced these feelings this week. One reason we spent an entire night in the ER this week was due to ER being filled to capacity: quite a few sick folks, but several drug seekers. David was in real distress and had to wait several hours to be seen. I did remember later that addiction is a disease and asked God to renew my heart with compassion and empathy. Jesus loves the difficult. That’s a goid thing as I have my moments. Lord, help me to extend grace. I thinkI am going to recommend this book for my study group when we resume meetings in the fall.
    Know I love and appreciate you all and lift your concerns to the Lord. So thankful for your insights and prayers. Blessings to all.

    • Ally Posted June 27, 2021 3:48 pm

      Sorry for typos. I forgot to proof read before publishing.

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