What’s a Playlist?
September Playlist
Compassion
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
9/1/26
Introduction
Take a look at the image above. Compassion is a verb. While that’s not true grammatically, it is true in the real world. Empathy and compassion are often mentioned together; yet, they are different. Empathy is feeling for someone’s situation. Their difficulties. Their struggle. Their loss. Compassion is taking the next step. Compassion is feeling for someone’s situation and then acting on it. Doing something to help the person. Yes, compassion is a verb. Keep that in mind as you work your way through the Compassion Playlist this month.
Compassion & Prayer
The following prayer is from sundaysandseasons.com, a resource offered by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing company of the ELCA. Use it as your guide as you work your way through the Compassion Playlist.
O God, rich in mercy, you look with compassion on this troubled world. Feed us with your grace and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Compassion & Scripture
The Feeding of the Five Thousand appears in all four Gospels. Compassion is a word used in several versions of the story. Spend some time reading Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14. Jesus models compassion for us by feeling for the people, recognizing their hunger, and feeding them. How does this story speak to you? Where are you feeling empathy for others? How are you being called to act with compassion.
Compassion & Jesus
You’ll find a link below to a devotion written by Dr. Mark D. Roberts, Senior Fellow at Fuller Seminary’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership. He offers a reflection of Jesus as our compassionate good shepherd.
Compassion & Jesus
Compassion & The Chosen
Click the link below to watch a clip from The Chosen, the TV series. It offers an interpretation of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.
Compassion & The Bible Project
In the link below, The Bible Project looks at compassion and God. It includes a study video and reflection questions.
Compassion & The Bible Project
Compassion & Poetry
Robert William Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer. One of his poems is printed below.
“Compassion”
A beggar in the street I saw,
Who held a hand like withered claw,
As cold as clay;
But as I had no silver groat
To give, I buttoned up my coat
And turned away.
And then I watched a working wife
Who bore the bitter load of life
With lagging limb;
A penny from her purse she took,
And with sweet pity in her look
Gave it to him.
Anon I spied a shabby dame
Who fed six sparrows as they came
In famished flight;
She was so poor and frail and old,
Yet crumbs of her last crust she doled
With pure delight.
Then sudden in my heart was born
For my sleek self a savage scorn,–
Urge to atone;
So when a starving cur I saw
I bandaged up its bleeding paw
And bought a bone.
For God knows it is good to give;
We may not have so long to live,
So if we can,
Let’s do each day a kindly deed,
And stretch a hand to those in need,
Bird, beast or man.
Compassion & The Movies
One of the movies in theaters this summer was Disclosure Day. After seeing an interview with Steven Spielberg, I was interested to see it. I was curious because, unlike other films featuring aliens, this one has a message of empathy and compassion. Click the link below to watch the interview. Afterwards, maybe you’ll want to check out the film.
Compassion & The News
Principal Rob Burnside acted with compassion for one of his students, and he paid a price for that compassion. While most of us aren’t asked to make a sacrifice like his, we can learn much about compassion from Mr. Burnside. Click the link below to watch his story.
Compassion & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Compassion theme.
“Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty”—Mary Munson
“Do Something”—Matthew West
“Hands”—Jewel
Desert Cross Faith Formation 