Compassion is the ability to feel the pains of others in their time of need and the consciousness to respond to their needs. In the gospel of today, Jesus describes the people as sheep that are dejected and without a shepherd. He then responded to their needs. Looking at our society today, people have developed the consciousness of individuality and selfishness both from the worlds leaders and from the followers. Our world need leaders who will care for their people’s wellbeing and not those who feeds on the people and increase their poverty rate. leaders who are able to stand up for the good of everyone and not those who are very much selfish or think of their personal good. We are all leaders in different capacities.
In the first reading, Moses went up to God on the mountain, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Say this to the House of Jacob, declare this to the sons of Israel, “You yourselves have seen what I did with the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. From this you know that now, if you obey my voice and hold fast to my covenant, you of all the nations shall be my very own for all the earth is mine. I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation (Exodus 19:2-6). The consequences of obedience to God is becoming God’s favourite. God wants to draw us to Himself because we belong to Him. He cares for our needs and He is willing to save us from the troubles that surrounds us. Trust is only what He need from us.
In the second reading, St Paul spoke about our reconciliation with God by Jesus being sent by God as at the period our relationship with God had been faulty through sin. He says, “When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation” (Romans 5:6-11). The sacrificial gesture of Jesus in dying for us on the cross is a means by which we were saved from death and be restored back to God. Thus, God wants us to activate our trust in His wonderful care. It was out of His compassion for humanity that He offers His life as a ransome for us.
In the gospel, when Jesus saw the crowd, He felt sorry for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd and he responded to their needs. He says, that, the harvest is rich but the labourers are few and He went on to commission His apostles to assist in shepherding souls. The gospel tells us that, Jesus gave His apostles the power and authority to do wonders, from casting out demons to healing the sick and curing diseases (Matthew 9:36-10:8).
These are important gestures but the most important activity for any believer is to have a heart that is filled with love and compassion. Our world today lack people who are compassionate towards others. We have become so individualistic that we are now blind towards the needs of others. People’s needs varies. Therefore, wealth is not all you need to attend to the need of others. People are looking for who to share their pains with. They are looking for who can counsel them in their dilemma. Sadly enough, We lack the spirit of compassion. Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd and decided to care for them by being a shepherd.
Furthermore, Jesus is looking for those who will labour at the Lords vineyard and Labouring at the Lords vineyard does not require too much expertise. Being compassionate towards the living conditions of others and responding to them is much more in labouring at the Lords vineyard.
Dear friends in Christ, God is our shepherd and He cares for our needs. He is never tired of providing for us. But He wanted us to place our trust in him. Have you lost trust in God, because things are becoming more difficult for you? God does His magic at His own time. Trust Him and He will not disappoint you. As for those that the Lord has blessed, it is our duty also to bless others by noticing where they need our attention and assistance. Peace be with you.
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