“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Friday, 3rd November 2017,
Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Rom 9: 1-5;
Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20 (R) 12;
Lk 14: 1-6.
BEING COMPASSIONATE
Today, Jesus puts a question to the Pharisees: “Is it against the law to cure a man on the Sabbath, or not?” The Pharisees had no answer. After curing the man with dropsy, he rebukes the Pharisees for not being compassionate, instead excusing themselves with legalistic excuses.
The Pharisees were not concerned with a fellow brother, the man with dropsy, they were concerned only about the Sabbath. Jesus asks them, what would have they done if it were their own son, or their own ox. Jesus points at the cold heart of the Pharisees, who thought of their ox’s as greater than the poor and sick.
If we take a look at the man who was healed. The illness which he was suffering from was “dropsy” which involved a filling up of fluids in the body. We, like the Pharisees, could be suffering from the same disease – though not in the physical sense. It happens when we are filling ourselves with all kinds of psychological toxins and disordered patterns that affect our behavior leading to turmoil for others. Only Jesus can release us from those negative feelings and emotions that drain us of our energy and ability to love freely and be happy.
Alarming is to see our response to those in need, we have many excuses to give. In the case of the migrants and refugees, Pope Francis’ advice for parishes and Christian families to adopt refugees in their homes has not been so welcoming. This initiative is mostly addressed with arguments to its viability and diligence. Sadly there was not a single, alternative act of compassion suggested by the critics.
Today, Let us ask ourselves, if we are as cold hearted. Are we willing to cross our mental and spiritual boundaries to be compassionate?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, into my heart, into every situation in my life. Come dwell with me at work, among friends, in my hardships, during my despair, and in all things. Help me to be compassionate to my brothers and sisters. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto yours. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.