We are like this crowd that Jesus looked at with compassion. We are also troubled and
abandoned. Those we look to for shepherding and guidance fail us often. As we have seen this many times in the Gospel, Jesus was sensitive to the feelings of others. In Mark 1:41, when a leper came to Jesus begging, Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the leper. Jesus saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them and healed the sick (Mt 14:14). Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight (Mt 20:34). Jesus’ compassion almost always moved him
to action.
We often say we pity a situation or people around us. What do we mean by this? Sometimes the negative judgement passed on others and their situation is mistaken for pity. When
we pity people, we feel bad for them and regard them as less than us. We do not want others to pity us. We use the word pity to refer to someone or something powerless.
We are invited to
reflect on how we use the word pity. Then, looking at Jesus, we see how feeling pity for us moved him to action to alleviate our suffering. Jesus is led to act, not because we are powerless but because of Jesus’ unconditional and unending love for us.
Spend time today noticing and reflecting on how and where Jesus is inviting you to imitate him in showing pity and acting to alleviate suffering.
Reflections by Morongoa Selepe
