Compassion for the Wicked
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mk 6:30-34
16th Ordinary Sunday Cycle B
In watching a movie more often than not we want the villain to die, or at least to be defeated at the end. Seldom do we have compassion for the antagonist even if he ends violently. At times we would even clap our hands when he would finally die.
And yet it is hard to imagine Jesus doing as we in this regard. Jesus as we know has compassion even for the most wicked among us, to those who don’t deserve compassion.
Yahweh as was experienced by Jeremiah pitied Israel like a sheep without a shepherd. He was ready to go out of His way to shepherd the Jews Himself. Jer 23:1-6
In the gospel Jesus showed the same compassion. To the twelve apostles tired at returning from their mission, Jesus told to take rest. To the people whom the twelve had already served and yet kept on following them making rest for them impossible, Jesus preached taking over the mission.
Thus St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds us that Jesus because of His great compassion is our peace. As the true and good shepherd, He gathers all the scattered sheep into one fold. “He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Eph 2:13-18 .
And in the responsorial Psalm we gladness we sing, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
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