WSC Reflection Guide 9/8-14/2024

OPEN YOUR HEARTS...BE COMPASSIONATE! 

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

September 8, 2024 (Cycle B, Yr. II) – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Community Word: True disciples open their hearts to God’s holy presence.

Theme: We open our hearts to God’s holy presence when we respond with compassion to those who are in need.

Promise: “Here is your God…he comes to save you.” (Is 35:4b) 

Reflection:

Jesus was always moved by those who came to Him for healing. He took time in ministering to their physical and spiritual needs, just like what He did to the deaf man. He touched his ears, his tongue and prayed to His Father, as He said, “Be open!” In His healing ministry, Jesus was very accommodating as people approached Him to be cured of their sickness and be healed of their spiritual burden. Even if He was exhausted, His heart continued to reach out to the people who sought His compassion in all their suffering and misery. He was always there.

Scripture is filled with revelations about God’s heart for the poor. Situations are told where Jesus went about helping the sick, comforting widows, welcoming the outcast, restoring the spiritually lost and even bringing life back. As we read these stories, the more we are exposed to God’s unwavering love and unfathomable mercy to everyone, teaching us to do the same to the last, the least and the lost, to the underprivileged and to the marginalized.

It is impossible to follow Christ and not have compassion for others, especially those who are in need. In His ministry, Jesus showed us that there should be no limit to our capacity in extending care and love to our neighbor. As we express our love for Jesus, we must also be moved to bring Jesus to others in easing their suffering and pain by our own acts of empathy, kindness, generosity, mercy and compassion. Thus, our chosen theme for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us - We open our hearts to God’s holy presence when we respond with compassion to those who are in need.

In the second reading, St. James tells us that, in our faith, there should be no partiality when treating people, between the poor and the rich. One should not consider wealthy people who wear nice clothes and jewelry better than the poor ones. He asks that justice be served to the underprivileged by showing compassion to them. Showing compassion is how God will measure our hearts to be worthy of His kingdom – “Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?” (Jas 2:5),

In our spiritual journey, the closer we are to God, the greater will be the mission that He places in our hearts. There are more people to care for, there are more people who are in need of help, both physically and spiritually. As we serve God with integrity, we can be more selfless away from being self-centered, from looking only after our own comfort to being sacrificing for the sake of the uncomfortable and deprived. In this manner, we fulfill the second most important commandment of God, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

By our own compassionate attitude, let us be part of the Lord’s message as He promises those who are in distress to be strong and not to fear, as He assures them, “Here is your God…he comes to save you.” (Is 35:4b). Let compassion for others be our way of life as we work our way to God’s kingdom. For God will judge us righteously for what we have done for others.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, please give me a heart full of mercy and compassion, to be attentive to the needs of others and to reach out to them with Your merciful heart. I long to bring Your healing grace to those in need, and as I do, fill me with faith and hope. Pour Your abounding grace upon them so that as they experience Your compassion through us, they too will become a minister of compassion to others. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1.     How much of a compassionate person are you? Do you go out of your way to help the suffering and the needy, despite any inconvenience and sacrifice on your part? 

2.     Do you feel the presence of Jesus when you minister to others in their pain, in their sorrow, in their difficulties? Share your experience. 

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:

Sept 8, 2018 (Sun) – Is 35:4-7/ Ps 146:7-10/ Jas 2:1-5/ Mk 7:31-37 

Sept 9, 2018 (Mon) – 1 Cor 5:1-8/ Ps 5:5-6, 7-12/ Lk 6:6-11

Sept 10, 2018 (Tue) – 1 Cor 6:1-11/ Ps 149:1-6, 9/ Lk 6:12-19

Sept 11, 2018 (Wed) – 1 Cor 7:25-31/ Ps 45:11-17/ Lk 6:20-26

Sept 12, 2018 (Thu) – 1 Cor 8:1-7, 11-13/ Ps 139:1-3, 1, 14, 23, 24/ Lk 6:27-38

Sept 13, 2018 (Fri) – 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-27/ Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12/ Lk 6:39-42

Sept 14, 2018 (Sat) – Nm 21:4-9/ Ps 78:1, 2, 34-38/ Phil 2:4-11/ Jn 3:13-17

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16