Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps. 147:1-6, Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8
“You shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.” (Isaiah 30:19-20)
In today’s Gospel passage, Matthew tells us: “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36).
- Compassion is a fusion of two Latin words, com (with) and passio (passion; suffer). To be compassionate is to suffer with someone, that is, to be able to feel the pain that person is experiencing. As our people would say, compassion is “taking medicine for another person’s headache.”
- In truth, there is nothing wrong with taking medicine for another person; this is exactly what God did for us by taking our flesh. This is the joy of Christmas. We serve a God who is compassionate, a God who suffers with us, a God who can never forget us. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).
- It is one thing to feel pained over someone’s plight, but a different thing to lift your hand to solve the person’s problem. Most of us stop at the point of compassion. We feel sorry for the person; we even cry, but we fail to help.
- In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus goes beyond compassion. He saw they suffered from the darkness of ignorance, so He preached to them. Jesus saw they were sick and possessed by all kinds of demons, so He went about healing them.
- Jesus saw that He alone could not minister to millions worldwide, so He started a worldwide movement by calling and commissioning the twelve. One excuse we give for not helping people is feeling overwhelmed by the number of people suffering or needing our help.
- We often ask ourselves, “Where do I start? What impact will I even make?” Jesus came to save the whole world, and He had only thirty-three years to live on earth, thirty of which were spent in preparation. Today, the work Jesus began is still changing lives.
- The good you begin today, no matter how small, could snowball into something great; it might even outlive you. Know that even if it is only one person you help, it will mean the whole world to them. Search your heart; you can hear God calling you. Just as Jesus appointed the twelve, He wants to do something through you.
- God does not work in a vacuum; He works through people. Don’t underestimate yourself. You are not too young, not too old, not too rich or not too poor. In your unique circumstances, you have a part to play.
- Coincidentally, today, we remember St Ambrose of Milan (340 - 397). His life is an example of one who became an instrument in God’s vineyard in the most unlikely manner. Ambrose was born to a Roman family in Trier (now in Germany). His father was the praetorian prefect of Gaul. In about 372, he was made prefect of Liguria and Emilia, whose capital was Milan.
- In 374, the diocese of Milan became vacant. When Ambrose tried to pacify the conflict between the Catholics and Arians over appointing a new bishop, the people turned on him and demanded that he become the bishop himself. He was a layman and not yet baptised (at this time, it was common for baptism to be delayed and for people to remain for years as catechumens), but that was no defence. Coerced by the people and the emperor, he was baptised, ordained, and installed as bishop within a week, on 7 December 374.
- He immediately gave his money to the poor and his land to the Church and started learning theology. He had the advantage of knowing Greek, which few people did then, so he could read the Eastern theologians and philosophers and those of the West. He was diligent in carrying out his office, acting with charity to all—a true shepherd and teacher of the faithful.
- Ambrose was unimpressed by status, and when Emperor Theodosius ordered the massacre of 7,000 people in Thessalonica, Ambrose forced him to do public penance. He defended the rights of the Church and attacked the Arian heresy with learning, firmness, and gentleness. He also wrote several hymns that are still in use today.
- Ambrose was a key figure in St Augustine's conversion to Catholicism. His intelligence and scholarship impressed Augustine (hitherto unimpressed by the Catholics he had met). He died on Holy Saturday, 4 April 397.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen our faith in your love and care for us. May our prayers never be in vain. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps. 147:1-6, Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu