SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT (MEMORIAL)

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them.

Pity. Some of us cringe when we hear that word! Once meant to convey a deep compassion for the sufferings of others, it can now sound smug, even condescending. Even when that’s not the intention, it can convey a feeling of superiority.

That surely is not the kind of pity that moves Jesus’ heart! He looks on us and our sin with neither contempt nor disdain. No, he looks with love.

The pity that Jesus feels for us is best described as a concern tinged with sadness. He feels sad because of the pain that sin causes us. And his concern for us moves him to reach down and help us: to forgive, to heal, to ease our sadness and guilt.

If you want the best illustration of Jesus’ pity, think of how he was moved to take on himself the sin of the whole world! There is no syrupy sentiment here. This kind of pity is passionate, almost fierce, in its readiness to go so far as to die so that we could be set free.

Sin can cause us to feel weighed down with shame. As Adam and Eve did in the garden, we want to hide from God. But he isn’t angry with us. He doesn’t hate us or reject us. No, he seeks after us. He calls out to us, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). He suffers with us, and he offers us his gentle kindness. Moved with divine pity, he seeks to tend to our wounds, remove our guilt, and build us up in his love.

Close your eyes for a minute and try to picture what Jesus’ pity looks like. Imagine the concerned look in his eyes and the warm smile on his face. Feel him putting his arms around you and drawing you close to his heart. He is not judging or condemning you; he is speaking words of comfort, guidance, and hope to you. He’s filling you with strength to take another step closer to him.

Jesus’ pity may look different for you than it does for your neighbor. It may not look exactly as you have imagined it. But it is real, and it has the power to reshape your heart.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me. I accept your pity—your compassion—and I open my heart today to your healing and forgiveness.”

Genesis 32:23-33
Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8, 15
Matthew 9:32-38