Host: Welcome to Saint Patrick Catholic Community Podcast. We're glad you're with us.
Fr. Sebastian: One day, a little child was walking with his mother in a busy market. There were so many people, so much noise, so many distractions. At one moment, the child let go of his mother's hand and suddenly he was lost. He began to panic. His eyes filled with tears.
He did not know where to go. But then, in the crowd, his mother saw him. She rushed toward him, held him close, and said, I am here. Don't be afraid. This simple story is our story.
Today's gospel has four phases. We see first the vision of Jesus. The gospel says, he saw the crowds. Jesus does not just look, he truly sees. He sees people who are tired, people who are confused, people who are searching for meaning in life.
Like that little child, many people today feel lost in the crowd of life. Maybe even some of us feel that way. Jesus sees our struggles, our fears, our hidden pain. And what does he do? This brings us to the second phase, the heart of Jesus.
The gospel says, he had compassion on them, not judgment, not anger, but compassion. Just like the mother in the story, Jesus comes close to us and says, I am here. Do not be afraid. When he looks at us, he does not say, why are you like this? Instead, he says, I understand.
I am with you. I love you. This is the heart of our God. Now, we have the third phase, the mission of the church. Jesus says, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
There are so many people who feel lost. So many who are waiting maybe without knowing it for someone to guide them, to care for them. But Jesus does not say, do everything. First, he says, pray. Pray to the Lord of the harvest.
Before we speak about God, we must speak to God. And then he sends, which leads us to the final phase, the authority given. Jesus calls his disciples and sends them out. He gives them authority to heal, to bring peace, to lift up those who are broken. And he tells them, freely you have received, freely you have to give.
My dear brothers and sisters, this mission is also our mission. We are not just people who come to church. We are people who were sent. Sent to our families, sent to our workplaces, sent to our communities. Maybe we cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
A kind word, a listening ear, a forgiving heart. These are the ways we lead others back. Like that mother who found her lost child. So today, let us remember Jesus sees us. Jesus loves us with compassion.
Jesus invites us to pray, and Jesus sends us out. Let us ask for the grace to see others as Jesus sees, to love others Jesus loves, and to serve others as Jesus sends. Amen. Amen. Like father Eric tells, let the people say, amen.
Amen. Good.
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