An Encounter with a Begging Woman that Reflected My Own Poverty
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“The people find them and flock to them from all sides. At which point, he is moved with compassion…compassion, which is God’s style. … How many times we find this phrase in the Gospel: He had compassion on them.” — Pope Francis
Compassion is God’s style. We see it reflected in today’s Gospel and throughout all the Gospels. The root of Jesus’ ministry is compassion towards the sick, the needy, the poor, the lost, the demonized, the sinful, and those falling short of perfection in any number of ways.
When we look at our own lives and the sheep that God has called us to shepherd, who may be our children, spouse, friendships, colleagues, or any others God has called us to, is compassion at the root of how we interact with them? Are we in alignment with God’s style of leading and guiding as a Shepherd? Especially when they inevitably fall short of the perfection we expect?
My experience with watching others and even myself is that many of us are too hard on others in their human weaknesses, especially those that Jesus would have been more compassionate to. We’re impatient. We’re too critical. We judge too quickly. We look away from what is difficult. We don’t want to deal with messiness in relationships. When others don’t meet our expectations, we make it known or cut them off. So frequently I hear responses like "I don't have time for people like that." "I don't owe that person anything." "So and so did X and so I don't talk to them anymore." "I'm done with so and so."
Is that really God’s style?
Today challenges us to ask ourselves: Have we learned and embodied God’s compassionate style of shepherding those in our lives? Where are we falling short of a compassionate response? What graces do we need to be more compassionate shepherds like the Good Shepherd?
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
