Gospel for the Day: Troubled Hearts

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:35-36


When Jesus went around teaching and curing every disease and illness, the Gospel today tells us that he was moved with pity not just by the physical condition of those in the crowd but he could also see that they were troubled and abandoned. 


Anyone who has been seriously ill or who has had to take care of anyone who is seriously ill knows what that is all about. Illness is often accompanied by anxiety. During Jesus' time, illness also led to social exclusion which may explain why those who were ill felt abandoned.  


Maybe there was also a feeling of abandonment among the Israelites by their God as they were under Roman rule. In the first reading, Isaiah also tried to console the Israelis by speaking of better (political) days ahead when Jerusalem and their God would reign supreme and they shall weep no more.