and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles
had no time even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.
But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were going. So, from all
the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, he
saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a
shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Reflect
“Be compassionate like Jesus.” Empathy breeds compassion. Compassion leads to action.
Empathy is to feel what others are feeling while compassion is not only a matter of feeling
about what other people feel but includes the intention of doing something to help alleviate
the sufferings of other people. It is compassion that impels us to help the suffering other.
Pope Francis keeps challenging us to participate in the creation of the “culture of empathy,”
which leads to what he himself calls “mission of compassion.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus is
presented to have empathized both with his disciples and the people. Jesus must have felt
the tiredness of the apostles whom he sent to mission. Hence, he invited them to a remote
place where they could rest. Likewise, Jesus had empathy with the people when he saw
their condition likened to sheep without a shepherd. Jesus felt their miserable condition.
He had compassion for them. Moreover, Jesus’ compassion always leads to saving actions.
We are called to be compassionate like Jesus. We are challenged to grow in empathy.
We are dared to translate our good intentions into saving actions.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024