Matthew 9:32-38
The operative word is compassion. Jesus had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. When I think about having compassion and people in need, certain people come immediately to mind. Harassed would certainly be a characteristic of many gay people for example. But there are so many more.
When I was in seminary there was an opportunity for us to serve in the diocesan missions in the Dominican Republic. I jumped at the chance to help. It was quite an eye opener. We grow so accustomed to all we have in the United States. Even our poor live many levels above their poor. So we went to help but I suspect we were really there to observe how happy and faithful they were. Perhaps we would discover that it is not our easy living and wealth here in the USA that makes one happy. These people were in poverty of enormous proportions and yet they were happy, loving, welcoming and faithful.
Back here in the States, there are myriad examples of ways we can serve and help the harassed, the marginalized and the poor. Illegal immigrants which so many of our relatives were (that is, officially, without papers because 'papers' were not always needed). How about the the elderly poor? We had so many of those in my parish. Elderly people who worked hard all their lives but were now just getting by. We could have compassion on them, yes?
Of course we also had a 'rent-a-Priest' in our parish. he ran a local home for troubled youth and a shelter for homeless men. He was a Montfort Father. He would be the first one to tell us that the wealthy sometimes are the poorest. They perhaps deserve more compassion than most. They truly are harassed and wandering trying to find happiness in things, toys and a high lifestyle. Perhaps we should have compassion on them.
So where does this leave us? The Dominicans did not need our help. We were there to have them witness to us! It seems no matter where we turn, we can find the harassed, the poor of spirit, people in poverty, marginalized, afraid, helpless. Perhaps the answer is for us to compassion on everyone. We can make judgements all day long about helping migrant workers and the like, and we should help, but it involves a judgement as to who needs what. In actuality we ALL need compassion and help. We are all marginalized, all hurting, all wandering, looking for hope, love, attention, an ear to listen to us. Perhaps the answer is to be present to everyone we come into contact with. The guy at 7-11, the checkout clerk at Stop & Shop, the coworker who seems down, the patient that could use a smile and a good word. How about our familiy members? Our spouse? Everyone is our business, we have no idea who needs and who needs what so give freely to all. Of course help all those that really seem obvious or people that actually call to us for help and need our love and compassion. But more than that, be present to everyone in our life, strangers, friends and family alike.
This would be the broadest and best social ministry and one that emulates the broad and all encompassing love of Christ.
Back here in the States, there are myriad examples of ways we can serve and help the harassed, the marginalized and the poor. Illegal immigrants which so many of our relatives were (that is, officially, without papers because 'papers' were not always needed). How about the the elderly poor? We had so many of those in my parish. Elderly people who worked hard all their lives but were now just getting by. We could have compassion on them, yes?
Of course we also had a 'rent-a-Priest' in our parish. he ran a local home for troubled youth and a shelter for homeless men. He was a Montfort Father. He would be the first one to tell us that the wealthy sometimes are the poorest. They perhaps deserve more compassion than most. They truly are harassed and wandering trying to find happiness in things, toys and a high lifestyle. Perhaps we should have compassion on them.
So where does this leave us? The Dominicans did not need our help. We were there to have them witness to us! It seems no matter where we turn, we can find the harassed, the poor of spirit, people in poverty, marginalized, afraid, helpless. Perhaps the answer is for us to compassion on everyone. We can make judgements all day long about helping migrant workers and the like, and we should help, but it involves a judgement as to who needs what. In actuality we ALL need compassion and help. We are all marginalized, all hurting, all wandering, looking for hope, love, attention, an ear to listen to us. Perhaps the answer is to be present to everyone we come into contact with. The guy at 7-11, the checkout clerk at Stop & Shop, the coworker who seems down, the patient that could use a smile and a good word. How about our familiy members? Our spouse? Everyone is our business, we have no idea who needs and who needs what so give freely to all. Of course help all those that really seem obvious or people that actually call to us for help and need our love and compassion. But more than that, be present to everyone in our life, strangers, friends and family alike.
This would be the broadest and best social ministry and one that emulates the broad and all encompassing love of Christ.
After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’
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