Be Moved with Pity: Reflection for 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

When was the last time your heart was moved when something happened that couldn’t escape your mind? Christ’s heart was moved with pity when a leper wanted to be made clean. 

Look at all the things happening in our society. One way or another, our hearts will be moved the same way as the lord encountered the man with leprosy.

Recently, my heart was moved with pity when someone told me that a colleague at a school, she works with was in tears. The school was running a soup can drive, and it was going to be an opportunity for students to get extra points on a test or exempt from an article report or homework assignment. The students who were all juniors responded, “We don’t care”. Yet, a student in that group was on a cruise with family but can’t prioritize those less fortunate than her. Pathetic. The moment I heard it, my heart sank. I remember being around people who had nothing, but my heart wanted me to show that I cared about them. They didn’t have to be known by me, yet Christ moved my heart to help them.

Let’s get one thing straight. We will all be judged for the times that we will help and not help those around us. There are people who have little to nothing and they need our caring hearts. Our hearts must somehow be moved with pity when people around us are suffering.

Granted, we may not be in the top 3% of the wealthiest in the country, but we can be rich in the virtue of mercy. We are rich in mercy because we share it with others with a smile, prayer, and the food in our pantries.

Like Christ, we are called to show mercy to the needy and outcast. The love we share with them will make us realize that they need Christ.

Challenge: Find a homeless person or family and help them get the resources they need.