The Compassion of Jesus

Today's Reflections

 

                               

 

     

The Compassion of Jesus 

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Mt 9:32-38

³²As [Jesus and his disciples] were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to [Jesus], ³³and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” ³⁴But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

³⁵Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. ³⁶At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; ³⁸so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Reflection:

His heart was moved with pity. The compassion of Jesus is expressed by his proclamation of the gospel and by the cure of every disease and illness and the expulsion of demons. Jesus does not only proclaim the kingdom. He makes it palpable to people through his miracles and exorcisms. He announces the kingdom of heaven and makes it real for people.

That is also the way that the Church must proclaim the kingdom. The proclamation must be accompanied by deeds of compassion that alleviate the miseries of people and cure their ills and diseases.

But Jesus knows that collaborators are needed. The first necessary step to get those collaborators is through prayer. We must pray to the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.

Prayer is a necessary part

of the proclamation of the kingdom.