Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147; Luke 14: 1-6
Paul tells of his pierced heart, “great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart” because his fellow Jews do not accept Jesus. We don’t think Paul had children, but he feels as any parent would. He would rather be cursed and cut off from Christ if only his people might be saved. Jesus, who heals a man on the Sabbath, also retorts like a parent:
“If one of you has a child…who has fallen into a well…”
You who are parents—wouldn’t you rather suffer than see your child suffer? You who are childless, can you feel with Paul and with Jesus how parental love supersedes all Law? Ask for the gift of compassion for parents and children, to feel with them.
Take the suffering of all parents, in our countries and around the world, and pierce our hearts too. Give us your love for little ones, Jesus.