Tuesday 5 July 2022

Today is Tuesday the 5th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary Time.

Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio. “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my soul.” This is not the prayer of someone proud or haughty or self-satisfied, but of a person aware that they have weaknesses and shortcomings, aware that they cannot do without the help and the love and the mercy of God.

Yyaî Jesuchristo apoquîrui, itacu niyucîpî ninahît’ zobi.
Dulce Jesús mío mirad con piedad mi alma perdida por culpa mortal.
My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my soul lost through mortal guilt.
My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my soul lost through mortal guilt.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 9:32-38

After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 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 ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’

In your prayer today, notice especially the reactions of the different people involved. After this demon is cast out, the crowd are amazed – nothing like this has been seen before. Can you imagine the kinds of conversation going on in the crowd?

The Pharisees are less impressed. “By the ruler of the demons he casts out demons”. Why do they react so differently, do you think?

Lastly, notice Jesus’s reaction. He has compassion for these “sheep without a shepherd”. What is it that’s moving him so deeply?

As the passage is read again, notice your own reactions to what is going on.

However you reacted – with amazement, suspicion, compassion, or in some other way – speak to Jesus about what you have noticed here.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.