The compassion of Jesus

AS Jesus and his disciples were going out, 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.”

REFLECTION HARVEST IS ABUNDANT. There is much work in God’s Kingdom, overwhelming and exhausting. Jesus and the disciples are not enough. So Jesus asks his disciples to pray for more workers.

Since the beginning of his ministry, every time Jesus goes out of his house, he teaches in the synagogues, proclaims God’s Kingdom, and heals the sick. In the Gospel, as he and his disciples are about to go around towns and villages, a demoniac is brought to him. Jesus handles it first, driving out the demon. Nothing blocks Jesus’ way when he goes on mission. He clears the ground first and proceeds.

While Jesus has inexhaustible powers, he also feels compassion for the crowds. They are troubled, confused, and abandoned. Their religious leaders do not take care of them. No one among these leaders is teaching the people, curing their illnesses, and driving out demons. They truly are like sheep without a shepherd.

Do you have the heart of Jesus and show compassion for people who wander aimlessly and without direction?