There is God. He is like Jesus. There is Hope.

Reflection

We can easily understand and relate to the feelings of being frustrated and needing help. It's like feeling harassed and helpless. Sometimes, we might feel lost and unsure about where we're going in life, just like sheep without a shepherd. We want to find our way, have values to guide us, and understand the meaning and purpose of everything.

In a poem called "Missing God" by Dennis O'Driscoll, the poet talks about missing God in moments when a scientist on TV explains complicated things about the universe using equations. It can make us feel like our planet is just spinning around without a clear direction, like a wheel skidding in the snow.

But here's an important message: the kingdom's message is still very real, and it's all about compassion. It's as relevant and important today as it has ever been. Bishop David Jenkins summed it up nicely by saying, "There is God. He is like Jesus. There is hope." This means that we can find hope and comfort in knowing that God is there for us, just like Jesus showed us.

Reading

Exodus 19:2-6; Psalm 100 (99); Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8

Meditation (Matthew 9:36 - 108)

Compassion is a special quality that Jesus showed in the stories of the Gospels. It means having a big heart and caring deeply for others, especially when they're going through tough times. In my life, who are the people who inspire me to be compassionate? And when I find it hard to be compassionate (for any reason), how do I react or help?

Jesus first gathered a group of followers called disciples, and later he picked twelve special ones, known as the apostles, to go out and spread his message. As I grow in my faith and follow Jesus, could he be calling me to a special role or responsibility in serving others and helping our faith community grow stronger? How am I answering that call?

Jesus wants his messengers to have a clear mission: to spread his message, starting with their own people, the Jews. As the early church grew, this mission expanded to include people from all nations. It's important for us to go beyond just taking care of ourselves and focus on sharing the good news with others. How do I see myself as a follower of Jesus, with a mission to make our world a better place today?