“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd...” (Matthew 9:36).
I have been reflecting on the actions of Christ is going out to preach as they are reflected in the Gospel…
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd... And He called to Him His twelve disciples and sent them out, charging them, ‘go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.’” (Matthew 9:35-10:1.5a.6-8).
And the focus of my reflections has been on the COMPASSION of God.
You see, He only had His disciples with him for a very short time prior to His Passion and Death. They were only with Him for three years during His public ministry. Afterwards, they would be entirely alone – save for the power of the Holy Spirit. And He – God Himself – had every right to keep them with Him. But He did not. Even knowing that many of the people to whom his disciples would minister would not appreciate their work. Even knowing that many of the people who His disciples would preach to would never repent. And even knowing that many of the people who His disciples would interact with would walk away as though they had not just heard the words of God, still He sent them out…
And it occurs to me that just as God sent out His disciples freely and without pay to minister to others, so too does He send me! For He came to me freely when I least expected Him, and He sends me out – as His vessel to others so that they too will receive His comfort!
And it occurs to me that I must give myself entirely or not at all. For just as wine must be preserved in a cask that is filled so that the air inside the cask will not cause the wine to become sour, so too must I turn to God entirely. For if I only chose to give Him a part of my soul, then I – like the wine maturing in a half-filled cask – will become ruined, and I will be of no use to anyone.
And when I think about all the blessings that God has freely bestowed on me, it occurs to me that I am spoiled beyond imagining. Because my Beloved loves me and protects me with all His Infinite Soul and all His Infinite Might. And all He asks in return is that I share the blessings that He sends to me through my ministry with others. And when I stop to think about that, it seems that I have not really been asked to do anything incredibly difficult at all!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.