Compassion in Action (Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8)

Saturday of the First Week of Advent (Year C)(I) - 7 December

From the Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage appears at a crucial transition point in Matthew's Gospel, bridging Jesus' ministry of teaching and healing (chapters 5-9) with the commissioning of the twelve disciples (chapter 10). It follows the Sermon on the Mount and a series of healing miracles, demonstrating Jesus' authority in both word and deed.

While Mark 6:6b-13 and Luke 9:1-6 contain parallel accounts, Matthew alone includes the poignant description of Jesus' compassion for the crowds, characterising them as "harassed and helpless." He also uniquely incorporates the harvest metaphor, which powerfully illustrates the urgency and scope of the mission. Furthermore, Matthew's account is distinctive in its instruction to go to "the lost sheep of Israel," a detail absent in other Gospel versions. Finally, Matthew emphasises the freely given nature of the ministry with the powerful directive, "You received without paying; give without pay," highlighting the gracious character of God's work through his disciples.

Reflection: