The Gospels have many different stories about Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. One in Mark (9:14-29) tells us how we should respond to the needs of others even when we are focused on something we know is important. A father runs out of the crowd and pleads with Jesus to heal his son. Jesus stops to heal the child.
How often it is we are so focused on what we think needs to be done that we become immune to the needs of others right in front of us. As important as it was for Jesus to travel to Jerusalem he did not cu himself off from others.
I know that I have certainly been guilty of being so goal oriented that I have ignored something much more important: the need of a single human being for attention and care. Sometimes all we have to do is stop and listen and then respond.
Prayer for the Day
Knowing that you have searched us and known us, O God,
We cannot pretend that we are something we are not;
Forgive us our preoccupation with the goals we set for ourselves,
For we know that they can close the doors to living faithfully.
Awaken us by your Holy Spirit to a fuller dimension of faith
Leading us to respond to the needs of those around us..
In the name of him who teaches us a new way to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Strange that only a little problem of your own will take your mind far from a tragedy belonging to others.
Richard Llewellyn, Welsh novelist (1906-1983)
Compassion for the other comes out of our ability to accept ourselves. Until we realize both our own weaknesses and our own privileges, we can never tolerate lack of status and depth of weakness in the other."
Joan Chittister, OSB, writer
I keep the Lord always before me;
Because God is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body rests secure . . .
You show me t\he path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
In your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16: 8-11