3rd Week of Lent: Signs of Compassion

This is the next article in a series of Suggested Lenten Practices for 2010.

Lent 2010: A Journey into the Compassion of God

We continue our journey into the compassion of God. The images of God’s presence in the burning bush, the faithful householder and hopeful gardener are signs of God’s compassion. God wants us to be fully who we are created to be, and gives us time to change our hearts and let our lives be transformed.

Spiritual Practice: All the community is invited to a common spiritual practice, in addition to whatever you have chosen to do individually.

• Become awakened to God’s compassion all around you. Watch for a “random” act of compassion. Think of a time when you’ve been the recipient of one of these acts of compassion, or when you’ve been moved to respond compassionately. Share these experiences with the community by submitting your description on our website, following the link “Acts of Compassion.”
• Paying attention is the beginning of the journey to compassion. When we really see the person in front of us, empathy naturally arises. As empathy arises, we begin to “feel” with them. If they are in need, we have a natural desire to help, and we are moved to act. This week intentionally keep bringing your full attention to each situation and person in front of you.

3rd Week of Lent – Justice Intersections, for further reflection:

A particular perspective: Those who stand in hope of justice and mercy... Those whose lives are concretely enslaved in working conditions across the globe hear God speak of hearing their cry

• Scriptural Reference: Reading 1: I have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers
• Church Teaching/Faith Connection: Dignity of Workers, current efforts against human trafficking
• Spiritual Practice of Compassionate Solidarity...Take these concrete realities into prayer, through use of the imagination...imagine the physical and emotional experience of working in a human “sweatshop” for long hours with little pay, or being held captive to serve the needs of others without connection to home or family... Pray in solidarity with those who at this moment are suffering in this way.
• Intersection with my own journey: Do I experience an enslavement in my own life? Can I hear God's offer of deliverance?