At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity because they were abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus sent out the twelve instructing them, “Do not go into pagan territory. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 9:36—10:8
11th Ordinary Sunday
In one country, I heard that if someone is wounded and needs help the people around who sees him would not even touch him for fear of making a mistake and later being sued by the person in need of first aid. People consequently have become unfeeling and have completely lost sympathy.
Yet Jesus is a very compassionate person. When He saw the crowds hungry and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd, he acted at once. He fed them. Then He also taught them. He took care of both body and spirit. Not content with that, later He sent His apostles saying: “Go to the lost sheep”.
Jesus learned from His Father, Yahweh, who through Moses called the Israelites “my special possession, dearer to me than all other people.” Ex 19:2-6a
Jesus’ compassion embraces all – but as we have seen above, His compassion is especially for the lost or should we say sinners. St. Paul said this when he wrote to the people of Corinth: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-11
Hopefully as we respond in the Psalm, we will strive to be His people: the sheep of His flock. Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
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