His heart was moved with pity

GOSPEL • Matthew 9:32-38 Jesus pities the crowds who have been following him. He sees them as troubled and abandoned. They are troubled because no one has yet addressed their needs. They need healing. They need enlightenment. They need consoling words. They need inspiration.

They are abandoned because no one has felt capable of answering their needs. Those teachers or authorities whom they expect to alleviate their situation and spiritual life feel inadequate to face them. Jesus feels with them. They need leaders, servant leaders at that, equipped to work in his vineyard. The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.

It is not easy to work with people with great needs. We, as lay people and ordained ministers, must be equipped. In our present situation, we must be retooled so that we may help solve their problems intelligently and not adding new ones, or foul up with them.

Here, Jesus is focused on helping other people. He empathizes with them. He is not distracted by the negative comments from his enemies. We, too, must not waste time entertaining intrigues, defending ourselves from falsehoods. Time tells when we are on the right side, if we are.

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A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and 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.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

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

*** Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.