THE COMPASSION OF JESUS
The tender love and compassion of God for everyone is the dominant theme of this Sunday’s Scriptures. The First Reading highlights God’s loving care for the people of Israel using a beautiful image: ‘I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself’ (Ex.19:4). Recently, I learned that when young eaglets are learning to fly, the mother eagle flies under them with her wings spread out to catch them in case they fall.
When the Israelites became discouraged as they wandered through the wilderness of Sinai, following their miraculous escape from Egypt, they needed to be reminded that God would never desert them, but would accompany them always and make his people, ‘a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation’ (Ex. 19:6). We, too, need to hear those same words of encouragement, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul stresses the unconditional quality of God’s loving care for us. God’s love, says Paul, is not like that of people who only love those who deserve it, and might be prepared to give their lives for those they consider worthy. God’s love is infinitely greater and is shown by the fact that he sent his Son to die for us while we were still sinners (cf. Romans 5:8). Paul encourages us not to let ourselves become slaves to our fears and doubts, but to be filled with ‘joyful trust in God’ (Rom. 5:11). Our weaknesses and sins can never be stronger than his love. While we may be tempted to give up on him, He will never abandon us.
The Gospel gives us a lovely picture of the compassion of Jesus for the people He encountered in his ministry. “Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt. 9:36). Jesus identifies with his people’s suffering. His compassion leads him, not only to embark on a personal ministry of healing and hope, but also to choose and select twelve of his disciples to collaborate with him in this mission.
Through the grace of our Baptism, we, too, are disciples of Jesus, called and sent to continue his mission and be agents of his compassion and love to others. Let us resolve to look at the people around us – especially the troubled and hurting – with the eyes of Jesus, offering comforting presence and compassionate love!