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Saturday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 
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In the opening line of today's Gospel, we hear that
"Jesus' heart was moved with pity."  He was
filled with compassion for those who were troubled. 

The word compassion is used many times within the New Testament to
describe God, the Good Samaritan and Jesus.  Each time,
compassion conveys the sense of a deep, physical and emotional
response to another's needs.  The helplessness of the
"troubled and abandoned" crowd who are "like sheep
without a shepherd" moves Jesus to "send out
laborers" - his own twelve disciples - to do as he
himself does: proclaim the kingdom, heal the sick and lepers, raise
the dead, and drive out demons.  The compassion of Jesus -
and the compassionate reign of God - is manifest in concrete
relief extended to those who suffer.  It is up to all of us, each
and every day, to engage in the ministry of compassion as part of our
call as missionary disciples.

The urgency of divine compassion teaches us that our ministry is one
of mercy.  There are always people "without a
shepherd:" the teen who needs an adult other than a parent to
guide him or her on the right paths; the lost traveler who might
inconvenience us when he or she asks for a bit of our time for giving
directions; younger children who are looking for the companionship and
guidance of a big brother or sister; the coworker who needs a
listening ear; the mail carrier who might need a friendly smile and
bit of encouragement in inclement weather.  This Gospel passage
reminds us that we have been shown compassion by a loving God and we,
in turn, are to give to others what we have received "without
cost."

May our Advent journey be filled with compassion to all of our
brothers and sisters, especially to those who are "troubled and
abandoned" in their lives.

Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl is the Director of Diocesan Social Action Office
for the Southwestern part of the Diocese of Cleveland, and a member of
the Leadership Team for Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry.




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