In family life, the most healing words are not solutions but simple attention: “Tell me what happened.” Being truly seen can change everything.

Today’s Gospel begins with a powerful moment: “Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36).

Jesus does not begin with judgment. He begins with compassion. The Greek word behind “compassion” suggests being moved in one’s deepest being. Jesus sees tired people, confused people, wounded people and His heart moves toward them.

That same tenderness appears in the first reading. God tells Israel: “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Ex 19:4). God did not simply rescue His people from slavery; He brought them into a relationship. Salvation is not merely an escape; salvation is closeness with God.

St. Paul says something astonishing: “While we still were weak… Christ died for us” (Rom 5:6). God did not wait for us to become perfect. Christ came while we were still unfinished, still struggling, still learning to trust.

And then Jesus does something unexpected: He turns to ordinary disciples and sends them out.

Not because they know everything.
Not because they are flawless.
But because compassion cannot stay still.

The harvest is still plentiful today.

Someone near us needs encouragement, forgiveness, an invitation, a witness of hope. At this Eucharist, Christ sees us, feeds us, and after feeding us, He says again:

Go!
See people the way I see them.
Love people the way I love them.
Carry others, not on your own strength, but on the wings of My Mercy.

So, let us leave today with one prayer:
“Lord, let someone feel seen, loved, and closer to You because I met them.”

Your Priest,

Father Charles Enyinnia