Jesus' Compassion is our Compassion

By Cynthia Colbert
Executive Director

I had the opportunity this summer to take a theology course for executive directors of Catholic Charities agencies. There were about 8 of us from around the county who gathered for this unique and valuable formation experience. One of the most memorable reflections came from our discussion of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The Gospel story reports that as Jesus looked over the crowd – he was moved with pity or compassion, and as a result of that compassion he provided teaching and healing. This was followed by the realization that their basic need for food also had to be met but the Apostles had only a limited number of bread loaves and fish. Clearly, in looking at their “resources”, the Apostles knew it was not enough to feed the large crowd of men, women and children who had gathered. Jesus prayed and a miracle occurred. Through his grace and intervention, there was indeed enough to feed the multitude; there were even leftovers to gather and save for later.

Jesus was moved with compassion. As I reflect on this story, I can almost see the crowd through His yes. Can you? Can you see people who are hurting and in need of support? Can you hear them speak their needs? Maybe some of them had trouble at home and needed healing between a husband, wife or parents and children. Maybe some of them didn’t have enough work so it was hard to maintain their housing and feed their families. Maybe some of them didn’t have clothes to wear or had illness and didn’t have the means to seek treatment. Does this sound familiar? The desperation and the hopelessness that they brought to Jesus more than 2,000 years ago are experienced today by the individuals and families we serve in 2009. Jesus was moved with compassion – and he met their needs with healing, with food and with the restoration of hope. Today, we seek to do no less.

The same compassion that Jesus felt as he looked over the crowds is the same compassion we feel as staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities. Every day, we reach out to provide help and create hope – through our food pantry, through ESL classes, through the Diocesan Law Project, through case management, and many other programs. Like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we experience modern day miracles. Our miracles come in the form of financial contributions; donations of food and other in-kind supports and miracles come in the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and talents to make a difference. Often, when we look at our budgets, we can see that there can’t possibly be enough resources to meet community needs. But somehow, a grant or a donation comes in. Somehow, volunteers conduct food drives and contribute their time, talents and treasure to making a difference through Catholic Charities. And somehow, our dedicated staff shows up each day because of their calling to service and social justice. And like the Gospel story of the loaves and fishes, somehow, it’s all enough.

I believe that this compassion unites all of us in Catholic Charities and in parish and community based Catholic services in our Diocese, state and even throughout the world. When we see people in need, our faith motivates us to act - to relieve pain and suffering in whatever way we can and to help restore people to a life of wholeness. This compassion is at work in Austin, TX, in Washington, DC, in Rome, in Germany, in Africa and around the world. And the miracle of the loaves and fishes continues today as we receive the funds and resources it takes to reach out and help those in need.

I am reminded of the recent Verizon commercials where customers have a large crowd of Verizon supporters standing behind them. Have you seen that one? Well, to me, that’s exactly how we are in the execution of our ministry – because standing behind us, though unseen, are Jesus, the saints, our colleagues and the Church, as we offer the hands of help and hope. I feel and believe in the“connectedness” of our work as Catholic Charities and Catholic ministries in the U.S. and in the world. For “we” are truly one ministry with one heart, one compassion, and one church. It all started with the compassion of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago and continues today. This Thanksgiving and this Christmas, draw upon that Christ-given compassion and make a difference for an individual or a family in need. I guarantee, like the loaves and fishes, there will indeed be enough to go around.