WHEN COMPASSION BECOMES A MISSION

July 8, 2025 Tuesday within the 14th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 9:32–38 In this powerful passage, we witness the heart of Jesus revealed again and again—not just as a healer of bodies but as a restorer of souls. When they brought the paralyzed man to Him, Jesus first forgave his sins before healing his legs. This moment reminds us of the deepest healing humanity needs—not physical strength, but inner freedom. The priority of mercy over miracle in Jesus’ action speaks volumes. In a world obsessed with instant cures, Jesus gives us lasting grace. And through this grace, we too are invited to rise, walk, and carry our mats—not to return to comfort, but to move forward in faith. As the chapter unfolds, we see Jesus healing the blind, casting out demons, restoring dignity to the afflicted—and still, His gaze lifts to the crowd, and He is “moved with compassion.” This phrase is not casual—it’s the very core of His mission. His heart is stirred by the sight of people who are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” He doesn’t merely observe their pain—He feels it. And from this sacred compassion, He calls for laborers. The mission of the Church is born not in strategy, but in shared suffering. It is love that sends, love that preaches, love that heals. For us priests, ministers, and faithful alike, Matthew 9 ends with a burning call: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Jesus is not simply stating a fact—He is revealing a heartbreak and extending an invitation. We are asked not just to admire His compassion, but to live it. To be laborers in the fields of brokenness, to be bringers of healing, and above all, to be channels of mercy. Our ministry is not about results, but about presence—being with the wounded and carrying them to Christ. In every act of mercy, we join Jesus in His mission, and in doing so, we become His hands and heart in a world that is still harassed, helpless, and in need of a Shepherd. Blessings Fr. Jhack