Today we learned that Compassion Crosses Borders! Crossing barriers means overcoming obstacles that might stop us from seeing, understanding, and helping
each other. Through Jesus’ parable of the Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, we explored the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and what it means to become a neighbor. Compassion can move through barriers people may have constructed, even if doing so might feel risky, unpopular, or hard. Showing compassion to anyone who needs it is being a neighbor.
We practiced our Lovingkindness chant:
I see your hurt.
I feel your hurt.
I help ease your hurt.
We learned Build a Bridge and sang The Lovingkindness Song today!
Lovingkindness Practice:
We pay purposeful attention to what it feels like to experience lovingkindness and to share it.
Focus on what we hope for ourselves. Say these phrases and feel the powerful feelings of lovingkindness for yourself without any judgement.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be safe.
May I be at peace.
repeat 3 times
Next, think of a neighbor. Maybe you pick someone who is different from you. Imagine this person in your mind and say these phrases to them.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be at peace.
repeat 3 times
End by saying: May you and I be happy. May you and I be healthy. May you and I be safe. May you and Ibe at peace.
Questions:
What feelings did you notice as you practiced lovingkindness ?
Was it easy or difficult to practice lovingkindness?
What was easy about it? What was hard about it?
Children’s Picture Book Recommendations
• Watercress, Andrea Wang
• Crocodile’s Crossing: A Search for Home, Yoeri Slegers
• Binkle’s Time to Fly, Sharmila Collins
• What Grew in Larry’s Garden, Laura Alary
• Who Is My Neighbor? Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Coloring Without Borders: Check out this non-traditional coloring book that teaches children about compassion. https://bit.ly/2RYDBrp
Arte de Lágrimas: A concrete example of loving God by loving neighbors and becoming neighbors: Young immigrants use their art to tell stories of faith and fear on their journey north. https://www.artedelagrimas.org
Revolutionary Love Project: Backed by research and infused with ancestral wisdom. The Revolutionary Love Project is founded by civil rights leader Valarie Kaur. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3uPcjT4 and check out her book, See No Stranger.
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