disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and
helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is
abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to
gather his harvest.” Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority
over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus
sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: Go, instead, to the lost sheep of
the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.
Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons.
Freely have you received, freely give.”

Reflect

“Be compassionate.”Today’s Gospel challenges us to overcome apathy and indifference.
The pericope speaks of the compassion exercised by Jesus. The word “compassion”
comes from Latin, meaning “to suffer with.” In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus’ heart
was moved with pity or compassion upon seeing the people harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd. The Greek verb used is splangchnizomai, meaning “to
have compassion” or “to feel what the other person is feeling.” The disciples of Jesus
are challenged to feel what other people are feeling lest they become calloused
and unconcerned about the reality and people around them. It could be the case,
when poverty becomes more severe and life becomes harder and more difficult, that
even Jesus’ followers may turn their backs from people in need. We are disciples
because we follow the Lord whose heart, all the time, is filled with compassion.
As Christians, we should never lose our capacity to feel what others, most particularly
those who are in dire need, feel. During this season of Advent, let us be more
compassionate.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2024