Jesus Shows Compassion

Jesus Calls Us Called from the Margins of Society The Prodigal Son Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Matthew 14:13-21 The Message Supper for Five Thousand 13-14 When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him, and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick. 15 Toward evening, the disciples approached him. "We're out in the country and it's getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper." 16 But Jesus said, "There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper." 17 "All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said. 18-21 Jesus said, "Bring them here." Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed. For Reflection "This miracle demonstrates that Jesus attends to the physical needs of the people. He does not focus solely on their spiritual health through his teaching. He is also concerned that they are sick. He empathizes with those who are hungry. Are Christians today as concerned about the physical health of God's people as Jesus is, or do we focus only on our spiritual health? Like the disciples, do we naively send people away when we think our resources are too limited to have an impact?"* Jesus understood that people need food for their bodies as well as spiritual food for their hearts. So we asked the question, are Christians today concerned about the physical health of God's people, or do we only focus on spiritual health? Christian compassion would make us more empathetic to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the marginalized and underserved. **Kaalund, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Iona College, New Rochelle, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-18/commentary-on-matthew-1413-21  Pray Pray for those who have little to eat. Pray for those under emotional stress. Pray for those who are poor in spirit. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!