# Moved by Compassion: Reflections on Matthew 9:36 and St. Oswald
*2016-03-01*

> Bill Young reflects on the compassion of Jesus as described in Matthew 9:36 and honors St. Oswald, whose own acts of charity inspire us to care for the poor during Lent.

## Opening and Liturgical Context

Good evening. This is Bill Young, and welcome to Prayer & Lunch. Today is February 29, a leap‑year day, and we are in the third week of Lent. We are praying from the small book *Renew Our Heart*, using the personal invitation to a Lenten conversion.

## Feast of St. Oswald

Today is the feast day of St. Oswald, a bishop and archbishop in England known for his generosity to the poor. According to tradition, during Lent he would wash and kiss the feet of twelve people each day. On February 29, 972, after completing the service for the twelfth person, he died. We ask for St. Oswald’s intercession to help us understand the poor and to care for those in need.

## Moved by Compassion – The Gospel Insight

The title of today’s reading, “Moved by Compassion,” comes from Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we encounter the love of the Holy Trinity revealed in the mystery of divine love. Jesus’ whole life is love made visible; his relationships with those who approach him are unique and unrepeatable. He shows particular mercy toward sinners, the poor, the sick, and the suffering.

## Examples of Jesus’ Mercy

Jesus saw the crowds—tired, exhausted, lost, and without a guide—and felt deep compassion. In response, he healed the sick (cf. Matthew 14:14) and fed an enormous crowd with just a few loaves and fish (cf. Matthew 15:37). In each case, what moved Jesus was mercy, which reads the hearts of those he meets and answers their deepest needs.

## Prayer for Compassion

Let us pray: “Jesus, help me to act with compassion and to change what I can to help people.” Amen.

*May the compassion of Christ and the example of St. Oswald inspire us to serve the poor and suffering this Lenten season.*