Daily Gospel Reflection for December 9, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Rick Hernandez

Today's Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Whenever I work in one of the big cities, I can easily discern that very distinct line between wealth and poverty, and between thriving and struggling. I can often find, without too much effort, the virtual divisions, sometimes block by block between what my friends call the safe zones and the war zones, and I weep for the people trapped in these divisions. The poor people are trapped in the depressed areas, while the ones doing well financially are often trapped in their safe zones, neatly segregated from each other. Living in fear of one another. Living like this, is it a surprise when we find our love and charity dwindling? When fear is telling us to run away from each other, our compassion must grow stronger than our fear.

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned . . . " Matthew 9:36

Christ was not paralyzed by the amount of effort required to help the people. Fear did not overwhelm His compassion. Christ did not stop at just recognizing the needs of the crowd, but instead, person by person, one by one, He tended to the multitude, all in His time. The act of charity is the gift of love in action and, therefore, something we can practice. Our Lord is sending us to love one another and to serve one another. This is no mere command, but a lifelong mission assigned to all of us, disciples of Christ. We may feel inadequate, fearful of what is required, and out of our comfort zone, but that is fear speaking to us. Christ has provided us with what is needed to reach out to others. What we must ask ourselves is: Through Christ, is our compassion stronger than our fear?

Ponder:

When compassion shows in our hearts, what keeps us from acting? Let us bring this to prayer and ask Christ to help us.

Pray:

Lord Jesus, help me grow in charity and courage so that through my relationship with You, I may grow convicted to respond to Your call for compassion and love.

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Christ was not paralyzed by the amount of effort required to help the people. Fear did not overwhelm His compassion. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Rick Hernandez

Rick Hernandez is a common sense Catholic, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and a Director for Elisheba House. He lives in Trinity, Florida, with his wife Ivonne and their children. He writes for the Elisheba Blog and for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflection. You can find his writings at https://www.elishebahouse.com/rick-hernandez.html.