Be compassionate
Show kindness and empathy to others!
Reflect on the hardship and suffering of others and seek to ease their pain and serve their needs.
Resource Ideas for Chapel and Classroom
Bible
Matthew 20:29–34 (CEV)
29 Jesus was followed by a large crowd as he and his disciples were leaving Jericho. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. And when they heard that Jesus was coming their way, they shouted, “Lord and Son of David,a]”>[a] have pity on us!”
31 The crowd told them to be quiet, but they shouted even louder, “Lord and Son of David, have pity on us!”
32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 They answered, “Lord, we want to see!”
34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Right away they could see, and they became his followers.
Colossians 3:12–13 (NRSV)
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Luke 6:30–31 (NRSV)
30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10.25-37
Jesus Cleanses and Leper – Luke 5.12-16
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Quotes
If you want others to be happy practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
That’s the difference between pity and compassion. Pity just feels sorry. Compassion does something about it.
Prayers
A Prayer for Compassion
Lord God,
We confess:
our lifestyles are too busy,
our focus self-centered,
and our world is consumed
with fear, greed, and pride.
Sometimes, Lord, we react
to the pains of others
with a flippant “who cares?”
Yet, in our more receptive times,
when Your Voice calls to
our innermost beings,
We know with absolute certainty two things
we desperately need:
To be loved…and to love.
Hear us, Lord,
grateful, thankful to experience occasional
breakthrough moments of unconditional love.
Be with those whose hearts are broken,
demoralized by life’s blows;
those who mirror to us that unfairness and suffering
is not lightened by pat answers or avoidance,
but is made bearable
because of fellow travelers
who truly do care,
and show it.
Walk with us, God.
Our trek is not always easy,
our vision shortsighted, our love often hidden.
May we seek the deeper places
where our compassion, our joy reflect
You, the God who is Love.
Amen
-Virgil Fry
Song
You are not alone – Mavis Staples
Movie
The Blind Side
The Three Questions
by John J Muth
Questions
These questions may help students reflect on the nature of compassion through reflective journaling.
Being left out makes me feel . . .
The people who I see most often left out are . . . and this is because . . .
Helping people who are different be included is hard because . . .
An inclusive community looks like . . .