The Compassion of Jesus

Today's Reflections 

      

 

The Compassion of Jesus

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.”

BY THE PRINCE OF DEMONS. In the gospels, miracles are often called signs. Other than to the actual wondrous happenings, they point to the “miracle worker.” They usually call attention to the doer as a man of God, a prophet. But there are persons who work marvels to impress people, only to eventually lead them astray, away from God, as magicians or enchanters do.

The Pharisees have closed their minds against Jesus. They see him as their rival in authority over the people. And so when Jesus heals a mute demoniac, they do not join the crowd in acknowledging Jesus as a prophet from God. For them, Jesus is an agent of the devil: “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

With leaders like the Pharisees, no wonder the crowds appear troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd, like soldiers scattered in the battlefield because they have lost their commander. Jesus turns to them and with the heart of a “good shepherd,” he ministers to them: proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and curing the people’s diseases and illnesses. He shares his ministry with his disciples whom he sends to work in God’s harvest.

The biggest disability is a negative attitude.