Compassion is a key term in our religion as well as other major religions. God's compassion with us is described so many times in our scriptures. But it seems not that easy to truly develop compassion that comes from our heart. It needs daily practice, and it needs teachers like Jesus, who showed his compassion in serving others.
In my daily life people with impairments give me the chance to show compassion. The challenge is not to confuse compassion with pity, not to treat people with special needs like children or do everything for them, but rather to support them to grow into the person God has planned for them to be. To me it's important to observe carefully what is good for the person with special needs, not what makes me feel like a good person. To me learning to be compassionate goes along with embracing and respecting the diversity of God's creation and is a constant training in serving and opening my heart.
Dear God! Thank you for showing me ways to strengthen my compassion for others. Help me to serve my community with compassion. Amen.
Vera Maisel
But of that day and hour, no one knows, neither the angles in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)
Are we prepared? Preparation is an important part of every activity. For example there is usually much preparing before a party. When going on vacation many prepare by planning out the activities, and even packing extra things for that unforeseen event. Even much of the Church's year is spent in preparation. Both Advent and Lent are spent preparing for the Lord. The difference between these two seasons and preparing for Christ's second coming is the later is much easier to put off. Why can it be put off? Because "that day and hour, no one knows." This is why our life's task is to live our life according to the teachings of Christ, so that we can "inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)
Lord God, help us to joyfully prepare for the coming of your Son . Give us the strength to do that which is pleasing to You, so that we may inherit Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in His name, who lives with You and the Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Mark D. Quaine
1 comment:
We are blessed to have Vera Maisel among us, bringing compassiona and happy smiles to children in our Creation Station. May her thoughts be contagious.
And thank you, Charlotte for sharing your talents in technology and bringing a new dimension to FPC communication.
Blessings,
Diane Bert
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