JESUS CARES
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
This is our compassion month where we are compelled to walk with those in pain or suffering. We identify with the hungry, the sick, the elderly, the weak and those who are desperate especially with chronic illnesses, stress and depression.
When we talk about a caring Jesus, we are faced with the question, how could Jesus have defined compassion? For our Lord Jesus Christ, compassion was not a feeling; it was a commitment to get involved with hurting people. Real compassion moves from feeling to action.
Compassion is not just an emotion. It’s more than feeling sorry for people in trouble. Biblical compassion means that you see the problem, you are moved by the need, you go out to where the problem is, and you get your hands dirty trying to help one person after another get their problems solved and raise them up to a higher level of life.
Through compassions you can lift one’s self esteem.
In compassion we cannot help everybody but we can identify where to channel our help in whichever form. We can identify those we sit with on the same pew and just find out what they are going through, look at that little girl who walks daily to school bare foot and give her a pair of shoes, that particular child that you can give tuition and give him or her a bright future. Prayerfully, consider to offer a ministry to an individual as a service to the Lord. You can become that shining Candle in someone’s life today.
In 1 Kings 17:1-24, God shows us that he cares. He can feed us and give us hope when we seem to be very hopeless. We are his children and he calls us to do the same to others. Caring does not mean that you have plenty but that you are willing to emulate Jesus in caring for others. Elijah obeyed the word of the Lord and he was fed by a raven.
When it was all done, God provided a window to whom a miracle was done and Elijah together with the widow were fed daily. You could be desperate here thinking that God has forgotten you, remember the one who provided for Elijah and the widow is the same yesterday, today and forever. Entrust your situation to him and for sure he will do it.
Pray with me in the words of Mother Theresa; Lord, open our eyes that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, and the oppressed. Lord, open
our hearts that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit. Lord, free us and make us one. All these we ask in Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
PROVOST