Tag Archives: compassion

INADEQUATE LOAVES

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Wednesday 2nd December – Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent

Reflection: Matthew 15: 29-37

INADEQUATE LOAVES

Dearest friend, do you seem inextricably trapped in a critical state? Your academic performance so far appears to be a confirmation of folks’ belief that you are intellectually lame, you seem to be losing all sense of control on sexual gratification or substance abuse; probably it is an unyielding ill health or financial lack that threatens your future. Please don’t give up, for the Lord desires to give life to these dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-10) and grant you a new song.

If we focus primarily on our human abilities, we see impossibilities. But taking a divine perspective eliminates impossibility (Mark 9:23). This demands of us an unwavering faith and total obedience to God (James 1:6-7). Today, Jesus is asking you and I to bring our “inadequate loaves” (our whole life as it is with the inadequacies and shortcomings!) for divine transformation and multiplication.

By virtue of the Abrahamic covenant which you have access to in Christ Jesus, you are meant to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). The Lord who removes all reproach (blindness, dumbness etc) as we read in the gospel reading of today seeks to do the same for you and thereafter, make you a solution to the needs around you (the hungry crowd, life’s difficulties etc).

As we get transformed and multiplied, we must guard against wastefulness and pride.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please bring fruitfulness to the barrenness in my life and make my life a blessing to others to the glory of your name. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2830 – “Our Bread”: The Father who gives us life cannot but give us the nourishment life requires – all appropriate goods and blessings, both material and spiritual. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus insists on the filial trust that cooperates with our Father’s providence. He is not inviting us to idleness, but wants to relieve us from nagging worry and preoccupation. Such is the filial surrender of the children of God:

To those who seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, he has promised to give all else besides. Since everything indeed belongs to God, he who possesses God wants for nothing, if he himself is not found wanting in God.

HIDE A TREASURE: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” Psalm 23:1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 15:29-37

GO AND DO THE SAME YOURSELF

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Monday 5th October – Monday of the 27th week of the year

Reflection: Luke 10: 25-37

GO AND DO THE SAME YOURSELF

It is sad to know that we Christians often fail to put ourselves in the shoes of those on the receiving end of the adversity of this world. We are blind to the truth that it is only a privilege rather than a right if we are not overrun with difficulties. The priest and Levite, despite their religious affiliation, did not realize that they could have been the ones lying on the road but for God’s grace. Unexpectedly, a Samaritan who ordinarily should have nothing to do with a Jew and whom the Jews considered to be unbelievers took compassion on the helpless man and stopped to help him.

The multiplying number of fraudulent acts committed by people pretending to be in need has hardened many Christians, rendering us uncompassionate. However we should not be deterred by these occurrences but with care, trust in God and filled with the love of Christ and of our neighbours, should show mercy. To shrink from showing compassion to others is to shrink from our Christian identity and responsibility. Our Lord said to St. Faustina- ‘I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbours always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it. (Diary 742)’

Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to:

  • Step forward to help others in need without fear, reluctance or hesitation.
  • Use our resources – money, time, energy and so on to reach out to those in need.

“Love the poor, and do not turn your back on them, for if you turn your back on the poor, you turn your back on Christ. He made himself hungry, naked, homeless, so that you and I would have an opportunity to love him.” Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

Just like he told the lawyer in today’s gospel reading, Christ tells you and I: “Go and do the same yourself.”

PRAYER: O God, fount of love and holiness, pour your love into my heart that in loving my neighbour, I may show my great love for you and that your love may be brought to perfection in me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 449 – What significance do the poor have for Christians?

Love for the poor must be in every age the distinguishing mark of Christians. The poor deserve not just a few alms; they have a claim to justice. For Christians there is a special obligation to share their goods. Our example in love for the poor is Christ.

HIDE A TREASURE: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 GNB

Today’s readings: Jonah 1:1- 2:1, 11; Jonah 2: 3-5,8 (canticle); Luke 10:25-37

MOVED WITH PITY

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Tuesday 7th July- Tuesday of week 14 of the year

MOVED WITH PITY

Matthew 9:32-38

Sometimes our perspective of God could be so narrow that we believe God to be a being who likes to cause natural disasters or send down fire and brimstone to teach us lessons, a being who just doesn’t care, or has bigger things to worry about than our problems. We find ourselves asking questions like, does God really care about me? Is he as loving as the scripture says he is?

The truth remains that God is always ready to listen and help us at all times but we most times fail to humbly let him into our lives. Let us take a look at the story in today’s gospel as an example of God’s love and compassion for His people. Jesus in that reading after looking at people “was moved with pity for them, for they were lost and did not have hope nor did they know where they were going” (Mt. 9:36). 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, 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 yourself!” rather 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 sent his only begotten to die for 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.

PRAYER: Almighty God, show us your mercy and compassion, and let us always experience your loving kindness whenever we are in need  of your mercy, and may we continue to find favour in your sight. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 22- How does one go about believing?

Someone who believes is seeking a personal union with God and is ready to believe God in everything that he reveals about himself.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Those who trust in the Lord for help will find strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.”      Isaiah 40:31 GNB

Today’s Readings: Gen 32: 23-33; Ps 17: 1-3.6-8.15; Mt 9:32-38