Talents

“You received without paying, give without pay.’” (Matthew 10:8).

Canaanite Woman (Reverend Ally)

I have been reflecting on the life of Christ.  One thing about Christ is that He experienced GREAT compassion for people.  His life and actions are marked by His unwavering compassion for others.

How many times do we hear of His miracles.  First, He is too busy or too tired or in a rush.  First He says NO, and then – moved by compassion and love – He relents and performs the miracle.

I have only to think of the Wedding Feast of Canan, where He went from ““Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”” (John 2:4) to “Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”” (John 2:8).

There is also the story of the blind man who was healed.  Christ was among great crowds.  He was busy and there were lots of important people there to see Him, and He was moved by compassion to heal a man who knelt at the side of the road, in rags, begging, who called out, “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him.” (Luke 18:38-40).

And what of the Canaanite woman who begged for her daughter to be healed and was told that Christ reserved His miracles for the children not the dogs, “ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”  “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”  Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 15:26-28).

And Christ showed compassion when He sent out the disciples to heal diseases and preach His 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 I have been thinking about how that should translate in my own life.  And it occurs to me that the most important thing in all of this is to reflect on my own talents.  For Christ sent His disciples out to carry His compassion to others.  And what am I, if not a disciple of Christ?  And this means that my Beloved is asking me to use my talents for Him and His flock.  That is what He is asking of me today…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.