Theme: A COMPASSIONATE GOD

Readings:
Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Mt 9:35-10:1, 6-8

Note. December 7 - Feast of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor - see also Celebration of Saints

Introduction

God is compassionate. He cannot let his people suffer. This compassion of God has become visible in the person of Christ.

The Old Testament text, perhaps an elaboration on Isaiah's thoughts by a later author, promises restoration to God's people after their conversion. God will take pity on his people. He promises freedom from evil, sickness, famine, violence, injustice, provided people realize their own poverty and inability to live as they should by their own powers, though God will work these things in people and with people.

In the New Testament, Jesus will go out to encounter us and to help us out. He sends out his Church, even today, to encounter people in their miseries and to alleviate all suffering.

Opening Prayer

God of mercy and compassion,
in your Son Jesus Christ
you have revealed yourself
as a God of people.

Turn our empty hearts to you,
give us eyes to see the depth of our poverty
and our inability to build a better world
with our own resources,
and then come and build it with us
through your Son and our Savior
Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Scripture Readings

First Reading: Is 30:19-21, 23-26

O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. When you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer.

When the Lord has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your teacher will hide no longer. Your own eyes will see him, and your ear will listen to his words behind you: "This is the way, walk in it."

He will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruises inflicted by his blows.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Praise the Lord, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power:
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The Lord sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:35-10:1, 6-8

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest."

Then he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over the unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
He said, "Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift."

(Commentary)

General Intercessions

Let us pray to the Lord that he may call many to become shepherds willing to continue his work in our Christian communities with zeal and patience.

- That leaders in our communities may be people with a heart, compassionate and patient, we pray:

- That they may proclaim the gospel as good news of joy, justice and love, we pray:

- That they may be living examples of what they preach and teach, so that the message may become credible through them, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, merciful and loyal God,
at the table of your Son
you dress the wounds of your people
and you fill those who are poor of heart
with the strength of Jesus Christ.
Keep us going, in the certain hope
that with him we can rebuild
what our hands have destroyed
and that he can turn our miseries
into lasting happiness.
This is our prayer
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God of tenderness and love,
you let your Son encounter us
in the inadequacy of our love.
Through him, present among us,
open our hearts and hands
to all ills and all needs,
to forgive, to bless, to uplift
and to be together the people
who live in your love
and who glory in the name
of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Jesus had compassion on the leaderless crowd. May God give us compassionate hearts that care for people in patience and a spirit of service. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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