We are reminded in today's readings of God's bountiful mercy, the Lord's generous compassion is shown in the Nativity and His daily coming into our tearful and beseeching hearts. Isaiah tells of God's merciful response to our desperate pleas. Our suffering is from a God who is a teacher and who rewards bountifully those who have learnt well from their helplessness - "You will see your teacher with your own eyes"(Is:30:20). This is precisely what the Book of Judith says: "Not for vengeance did the Lord try their hearts. It is by admonition that he chastises those who are close to him." (Judith 8:27), and earlier: "We should be grateful to the Lord our God, for putting us to the test." (Jud.:25) Obviously, preparation for the Lord's coming involves abandoning ourselves to the mercy of God, acknowledging that in His mercy is our salvation. When we can do this, then we are ready to follow Him as sheep follow their shepherd all the way.

When we accept that we are not whole, but are sick and dejected like those Jesus met and cured in Matthew's Gospel, then only can we benefit from the compassion of the Lord. This compassion does not stop there but goes on to urge us to go forth to minister freely to the poor and dejected, thus proclaiming the coming of His kingdom.