JESUS THE COMPASSIONATE LORD CARES ABOUT US NO MATTER THE SITUATION

 Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 30th October, 2020.

Readings: Phil. 1:1-11, Ps  111, Luke 14:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

JESUS THE COMPASSIONATE LORD CARES ABOUT US NO MATTER THE SITUATION

Most times when we reflect on the relationship between Jesus and his audience, we wonder how he was able to manage all the situation placed before him even when it seems as if he has no escape root. Such is the situation in our Gospel passage today when on a Sabbath day Jesus went for a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees who had invited him; of which they watched him closely. Because in front of him was a man with dropsy, and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees saying: ‘Is it against the law to cure a man on the Sabbath, or not?’ But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away.

Here, we see Jesus who always honour all his invitation whether from the poor or the rich, friends or ‘enemies’ including Pharisee and Sadducees whose invitation was a trap to set him up. But Jesus cannot be trapped, rather he used the opportunity to teach us that no Sabbath law, no religious restriction, can ever forbid us from being compassionate and caring for the poor and the sick.

Dear friends, we must learn to be compassionate no matter the situation we may find ourselves, because Jesus has always been compassionate. For St. Paul in our first reading tells us that this kind of attitude  will help us to become pure and blameless, and prepare us for the Day of Christ, when we all will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.  But we need to ask ourselves, are we willing to show love, compassion and care especially to those who need our love and care?

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we often wish to be compassionate and caring like you. But we often failed because of fear and lack of proper disposition. As we listened to your words today, may we find the courage to be compassionate and caring, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with.