A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion for them because they are troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He says 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.” Jesus then sends out his twelve disciples, giving them authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.
God, the sending out of the disciples reminds me of the divine authority your Son gave the them—power to cure illnesses, rebuke evil spirits, and even power over death itself. How can I possibly measure up to the Twelve? Yet, if I look at the encounters I experience in daily life with those closest to me, I have opportunities similar to those of his disciples. Within my family and among those I meet, I have the choice to cultivate illness or well being; I have the means of evoking evil or rebuking it; and I have the power to give life or take it away—all with the words that I allow to pass between my lips. God, help me have the same compassion Jesus had for the troubled and abandoned. Give me the grace to know how to be attentive to your word and bring them to you.
Lord, help me recognize today how to show compassion and be a good shepherd according to your will. Stay with me today as I strive to hear your voice.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.