Vicarious Compassion

8.2.20 Gospel (MT 14: 13-21)

After reading this account, “Can you feel the exhaustion of Jesus?”  All he wanted to do was retreat to a quite place for prayer and rest.  But the crowds needed him and rather than refuse them, Jesus experienced what I will call “vicarious compassion” for the people.  I believe it was more empathy than compassion.  We repeatedly witness Jesus, throughout His ministry, putting himself before others - even when he was totally spent.  One should understand that sympathy & empathy are different.  Sympathy defined as “harmony between two parties based on common feelings, whereas empathy is putting oneself in the emotional shoes of another person and connecting with that individual’s deep feelings.  Jesus could not disregard the crowd’s desire to be healed and to know the Father more intimately.  They were hungry and would not be turned away, so He blesses the five loaves & two fish feeds over 5000 followers.

After this miracle, the Galileans wanted to forcefully take Jesus to Jerusalem & proclaim him as their leader.  They wanted a worldly king defined upon contemporary rules. Jesus would not have any of this because He was not the typical prototype of a king reigning with armies and who used intimidation to reign.  Jesus introduced a new kingship.  One filled with meekness & modesty in heart, a gentle man & humble king. This caused much confusion for those who lived then.  Fast forward over 2000 years later & we witness the same bewilderment today.  We are seeking the return of the Messiah who will reign like Jesus did when he walked among us.  I predict many will bow down and worship.  Massive conversions are on the horizon.

Scripture is clear when speaking to us.  One will arise who will claim to be savior.  That person will perform many miracles, possess the ability to mysteriously stop wars and miraculously feed the masses. This person will play a pivotal role in prophecy for “This is the deceiver and Anti-Christ)  

(2 John 7).  Let us get back to the basics of faith, acts of compassion, deeds of mercy, celebration in the Holy Eucharist & a relationship with Our Lady.  These are the weapons needed to avoid being duped by the false prophet. We are the sheep who are easily led astray; yet who know the voice of the shepherd. 

There is a growing lack of empathy in our world that appears to be growing.  Indifference, apathy, and self-serving attitudes are compromising our environment, governments & relationships.  There is a force at work seeking to divide rather than unite; a force that cannot be defeated without God.  This force is staving us rather than feeding us with the spiritual food of righteousness & truth. 

The only response to this attack is returning to or maintaining a daily relationship with God.  A relationship that will give you the ammunition Jesus used to defeat the Evil One.  A response that with offer you a vicarious compassion that will lead you home.  The Pilgrim.