Treat Others With Compassion, Love and Dignity

This morning I took part in the board meeting of the Virginia United Methodist Housing Development Corporation. The Virginia United Methodist Conference has many properties providing housing to those who need assistance in securing a safe, quiet and affordable place to live. Many of the properties are for senior citizens who can’t afford a place to live. The meeting made me think of Mother Teresa who once received the Nobel Peace Prize. She received the award in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, etc. Mother Teresa’s heart went to those who were unwanted, unloved and uncared for.

Jesus showed us how to love the marginalized. The synagogue leaders respected the Sabbath law and never thought about the needs of the less fortunate. Luke 13:14 tells us that when Jesus saw an ill woman at the Temple, He was moved with compassion. Jesus looked beyond the law and saw this woman as one of God’s creative creatures in need of help. Jesus then “put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” (v. 13) The leader of the synagogue was upset by this because it was the Sabbath. Jesus, who is the Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5), chose to heal this woman who struggled with pain and humiliation for nearly two decades. Now she was pain-free.

Have you ever experienced rejection or were made to feel inadequate because you didn’t measure up to someone’s expectations? May you never be like the synagogue leader who thought more about rules than the people placed in front of him. May we treat others with dignity and respect whether they look like us or not. Let us follow Jesus’ example and treat others with compassion, love and dignity.

Prayer – Jesus, thank you for the love you have for each of us. Thank you for your infinite love and incredible compassion for all humans, including those who may have a disease or other difficulties. Amen.

Luke 13:13 – “He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
 Images: Sincerely Media, Anna Samoylova & Chandan Chaurasia, courtesy of Unsplash