Christ Church Jerusalem

Today compassion is considered to be a fundamental value in our society yet it is often confused with doing symbolic acts that cost us little. In contrast, the ministry of Jesus was motivated by a costly compassion which he expected his disciples to emulate. Jesus not only models the compassion that God has for his fallen creation but surely learned from the example of his earthly father Joseph. When sending out the Twelve Apostles, Jesus gives them authority to bring his redemptive presence into the lives of the sick, oppressed, ostracized and those without direction. The Twelve learn empathy and compassion by living with and depending on those to whom they are sent to help. Readings: Ezekiel 34:1-16; Mathew 9:35-10:23.