Homily for 13 Sep 2017

13 Sep 2017

Jesus “raised his eyes toward his disciples,” and he simply spoke about what he saw in them.  So often, that’s how the Lord is compassionate toward us: he serves as a mirror so we can see ourselves as God sees us.

It’s similar, maybe, to how we adults can sit and watch children play.  They just do their thing, totally unaware that we’re watching them.  But every now and then you have to speak up, especially if the kids are about to do something dangerous.  You have to speak the truth to them. 

God sees us.  He watches us “play” and go about our daily lives.  But every now and then he pokes at our conscience and says, “Hey, you might want to rethink what you’re doing.”  He doesn’t do it to meddle, or to be accusatory.  He does it because it’s the compassionate thing to do.

Jesus “raises his eyes toward his disciples,” toward us and all his followers.  He sees us; he looks into our souls and minds and hearts.  And he sees a lot of good.  He also sees those areas of life where we can be better—not to point a finger, but in order that we might love ourselves more.  God is compassionate to us in that sort of way.

Thank goodness we have a God who cares enough to try to keep us on the right path, the path of being “blessed” and happy.