HE LOOKS AT US, THEN HE HAS COMPASSION ON US

 

Adeladius Makwega – Mwisenge, Musoma, Tanzania

 

Sunday, June 14, 2026 – St. Augustine Church, Mwisenge Parish, Catholic Diocese of Musoma, Tanzania.
Fr. Julius Ogolla introduced Fratel Norbert, a seminarian born in Mwisenge Parish, serving under the Jesuit Order and trained in law. Fratel Norbert delivered the reflection for this Sunday.

 

“Do you remember when Jesus entered the Temple and found people doing business? What did He do to them? Did He simply chase them away? No—He strongly rebuked them. Do not be afraid to say He disciplined them. The problem is this same issue of business and wealth turning His Father’s house into a den of thieves.

Let us reflect, fellow Christians: nowadays, when a shout of ‘thief! thief! thief!’ is heard in the streets, what do people do? Don’t they run after the thief? One comes with matches, another with a can of fuel, another with car tires. No one sings for the thief or cheers him on. A thief is only safe if he escapes; if caught, he faces death.

Remember, Jesus was crucified between thieves. Yet behind the scenes of our present-day lives, our societies have other thieves—those who dress well, drive cars, and are protected. Who among us dares to shout against these thieves? Who chases them? Who carries fuel against them? Who is a thief? What has he/she done? Why is one called a thief while another remains safe? Why are some thieves sentenced to death while others—greater ones—remain untouched?

That is why Jesus looks at us, then has compassion on us.

People burn alive a chicken thief or a goat thief while celebrating and boasting that they have eliminated him, yet another thief remains safe.

There are thieves we do not even dare to mention. Even if you try to raise your voice, you look left and right—who is watching you? Sometimes the outcry is made through fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

This is where we clearly see: Jesus looks at us, then has compassion on us.”

 

Fratel Norbert’s homily involved active participation from the faithful, with questions and shared responses, accompanied by short refrains from church songs.

 

On the other hand, from the Vatican, through Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of Propaganda Fide (the Office for Evangelization), the following reflection was shared:

 

“We are in the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today’s Gospel, according to St. Matthew, offers three lessons to help us live this period of spiritual growth.

First, we see the heart of Jesus—He was moved with compassion because the people were like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord sees His people and cares for them, while also inviting us to participate by praying for laborers for His harvest.

Second, we see the twelve disciples who were given authority to cast out demons and heal diseases. They came from different backgrounds but were called to one mission.

Third, Jesus instructs us to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near: to heal, to raise, to cleanse, and to liberate. We are called to continue His ministry generously—without asking for payment.

Freely you have received; freely give.

How can we help Jesus in His ministry? Let us discover our calling and our gifts in daily life.”

 

From this reflection, Mwanakwetu composed the following poem:

 

First Stanza

Do you remember when Jesus entered the Temple,
He found traders violating the sacred place,
His Father’s house turned into a market of injustice,
His anger revealed the truth about greed and oppression.

Second Stanza

Today in the streets the cry “Thief! Thief!” is heard,
People run in anger, without mercy or calm,
One with fire, another with fuel, chasing without fear,
But where is justice—or has anger taken over?

 

Third Stanza

Some thieves are exposed and punished before society,
While others hide, protected by wealth,
Dressed in suits, moving in cars with power and deceit,
Who will stand and speak the truth without fear?

Fourth Stanza

That is why Jesus looks at us with compassion,
Seeing our hypocrisy and silent injustice,
We attack the weak while setting the powerful free,
He calls us to live in truth, justice, and light.

 

After the service, as Mwanakwetu was returning home, he encountered two reflective moments:

 

First, a motorcyclist passed by and greeted him as if they knew each other. The rider stopped to speak with two women wearing rosaries. One said:

“That man was killed out of jealousy of his good work. If someone does good work, learn from them—do not harm them.”

 

Later, Mwanakwetu met a young man speaking on the phone:

 

“Being born into a large family has advantages, but also many disadvantages—especially frequent funerals. When you repeatedly ask for leave at work, you start to look like a liar.”

 

At that time, the weather in Musoma was 27–28°C, humidity at 10%, a 47% chance of rain, and winds blowing at 10 km/h from Lake Victoria.

In conclusion, Mwanakwetu leaves us with this message:

 

“He looks at us, then He has compassion on us.”

 

Have a good day.

Email: makwadeladius@gmail.com

Phone: 0717 649 257