Saturday 6 December 2025. Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps. 147:1-6, Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8
“You shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teacher will not hide himself anymore.” (Isaiah 30:19-20)
In today’s Gospel passage, Matthew tells us: “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). The word ‘compassion’ is a fusion of two Latin words, ‘com’ (with) and ‘passio’ (passion; suffer). To be compassionate is to suffer with someone, that is, to feel the pain of another.
God felt our pain, and for this, He took on our human flesh. This is the joy of Christmas: that we serve a God who is so compassionate as to be born among His creatures. If God could be this caring, it means there is no limit to what He is willing to do for our sake. Speaking as our mother, God said: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15)
Why do we have bad days, even though God cares so much about us? Isaiah answers this question in today’s first reading. “Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teacher will not hide himself anymore.” By addressing God as a teacher, Isaiah wants us to see our tough times as learning moments. In every negative experience, God is teaching you a lesson.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus shows compassion through tangible actions. He preached to enlighten the people and free them from the darkness of ignorance. To release them from the chains of sickness, Jesus healed the ill. He also freed those possessed by demons. When Jesus realised the scale of the task, He appointed the twelve apostles to continue the mission.
Do not let anything bother you or weigh you down. Jesus did not ask: “How am I going to attend to the whole world?” Instead, Jesus started with what was available. Start with the little you have. God will do the rest.
God cares about you. He knows it when you suffer. He knows everything that happens to you and is always ready to come to your aid. He may not work the way you wanted, but that doesn’t mean He is not working. Even when you experience pain, God works for you as an exceptional teacher. Learn the lesson and have a better life.
Let us pray: O God, who sent your Only Begotten Son into this world to free the human race from its ancient enslavement, bestow on those who devoutly await him the grace of your compassion from on high, that we may attain the prize of true freedom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of the 1st week of Advent. Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps. 147:1-6, Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu