Eyes of Mercy, Hands of Service

Listening to the Spirit

Praise and glory to you, God and Father, for our Founder St. Guido M. Conforti, who, fascinated by your crucified Son, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, founded the Xaverian Family to spread the Gospel unto the ends of the earth, so that our Lord Jesus Christ may be known and loved by all. We thank you for the gift of the missionary vocation. Forgive our betrayals to the charism received, and strengthen in us the desire and zeal to live the mission ad gentes, with a passionate family spirit. Give us a spirit of living Faith to bear witness with love, in the world, to the Hope that gives meaning and life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!

Listening to the Word

Mt. 9:36-10:8

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’

Then Jesussummoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Reflection

While reflecting on this Sunday’s Gospel, I was reminded of this passage from the Book of Exodus. “I have observed the misery of my people... I have heard their cry... Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them.” (Exodus 3:7-8)

God is never indifferent to human suffering. He observes, hears, knows, and actively moves to deliver us. Just as He called and sent Moses to collaborate in His liberating mission in the Old Testament, He sends Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus is the true face of God’s mercy, embodying constant care for a crowd that was abandoned, harassed, and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus called his disciples and empowered them to extend God’s mercy.

Jesus does not look at the crowd as an anonymous mass of people. Instead, He sees into each individual heart, recognizing their specific needs. His capacity to serve always flows from this deep well of care and compassion. He does not merely pity those who suffer; He suffers with them.

While Jesus was never afraid to criticize the corrupt religious and political leaders of His time (the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees), His primary response to a broken world was always to reach out directly to the poor, the weak, and the marginalized.

It is beautiful to see how Jesus invites His disciples to participate in extending God’s mercy. He doesn't act alone. By summoning the twelve and empowering them with authority to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons, He allows them to become active instruments of His grace. They are sent to remind the world that the Kingdom of Heaven is near and that God is intimately present in their midst. They received His grace without payment, and they are called to give without payment.

Today, we face a challenging question: How do we cultivate this same tenderness in our own lives? When we look at the reality of our country, it is easy to see where the leaders who are supposed to shepherd us have failed in their duties. We have witnessed a series of drama in the Senate, corruption, and we have a lot of reasons to be angry, even to curse. It is completely right and natural to feel angry and to criticize these injustices. However, the Gospel challenges us to go beyond anger.

Like Jesus, we are called to look at the "crowds" around us with eyes of mercy rather than indifference. Instead of getting stuck in frustration, we must turn toward those who are suffering and serve them using our own unique capabilities, in whatever small, concrete ways we can.

Reflection Questions

When you look at the "crowds" in your own community or country, do you tend to react with indifference and frustration, or are you able to see them through Jesus' eyes of mercy and compassion?

Jesus freely gave His disciples authority to heal and serve, reminding them, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." What is one concrete, practical way you can use your unique gifts to serve someone in need this week without expecting anything in return?