Moved with Pity

Readings for Tuesday July 6, 2010

First Reading: Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38


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." (Mt 9:35-38)

Sometimes when people view God, they view an impersonal God who sits up on His pedestal cooking up schemes to make people miserable. Or they view God as someone who likes whip up natural disasters or send down fire and brimstone to teach us a lesson. Sometimes people view God as someone who just doesn't even care, or has bigger things to worry about than our small problems. Well, if you have ever thought that, then take a look at today's gospel, and then take a look at the entire bible. It is filled with stories and examples of God's love and compassion for His people. We see from today's reading that after looking at His people, Jesus "was moved with pity for them." He was moved with pity for the people, because they were lost, they did not have hope nor did they know where they were going. That is why God came down from heaven, to teach them straight from His mouth, and to give us a way to heaven.

We should never view God as impersonal, as a bully, or as someone who just doesn't care; because these things couldn't be anything farther from the truth. When God sees our pain and suffering, He is not saying things like, "well you brought this upon your self!" He is hurting with us, His heart goes out to us and He is moved with pity for our pain. He loves us more than we can possibly know, that is why He came down from heaven to take on all of our sins. It is His sacrifice that shows us the love and compassion that God has for us.

We are His children, and the truth is that sometimes we get distracted and only want to view things from our own perspective. It is easy to feel lost and abandoned in this world, that is why it is so important to focus on Christ. He is the good shepherd who does not lead us to death, but leads us to eternal life in heaven.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, we praise you for all that we have and all that we are. Lord, you are our rock and our salvation, help us to humbly serve you with all of our lives. Lord, thank you for your great love and compassion, we pray that we can courageously go out and share this same love and compassion with all those we come into contact with. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.