Pastor’s sermon is based on the gospel reading from Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. If we take the time to listen to one another, we may become more aware of how common the “harassed and helpless” feeling happens within our midst. The truth is, we can scarcely admit it to ourselves when we feel this way, let alone tell others about it. It feels too much like failure. And yet, feeling harassed and helpless is not a sign of failure, but of our human condition! Sharing this truth opens the door to hearing the second truth of this morning’s Gospel passage: Jesus sees us in our state of being harassed and helpless and has compassion for us. Thanks be to God! Amen.
