MANILA, Philippines — Two parish priests were discussing about how they share the Sunday collection with their assistant priests. "That's easy," the younger priest said. "For me, I draw a big circle on the floor. I toss the money up in the air and what falls inside is mine; what falls outside goes to my assistant."

"And you?" asked the younger one, “How do you share your collection?” "My procedure is simpler but more effective," bragged the older priest. "I simply toss up all the money in the air. What goes up is for my assistant, and what comes down is for me." Following the Law of Gravity, obviously the assistant gets nothing! This is just a joke, of course, but there’s some truth in the way some pastors treat their assistants.

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The theme of this 18th Sunday’s gospel is about sharing and compassion. (Read Matthew 14, 13-21). But this is not the kind of sharing which those parish priests practice.

The Lord was “moved with pity” at the famished crowd doggedly following him. Instead of sending them away, he performed a miracle of multiplying the five loaves and two fishes in order to feed them.

Christ's concept of compassion is not just feeling sorry for people, but a sensitivity that flows into action or seeks to "go out of the way."

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The disciples had pity for the people, too, but it was one that didn't commit itself into action. Hence, the wry remark: "Send the people away and they can go to the villages to buy for themselves some food." To which Christ retorted: "No need for them to go; give them something to eat yourselves."

Whereupon Christ prayed and blessed the loaves and fishes which multiplied miraculously so that all ate to full satisfaction with plenty of leftovers. The gospel message is clear: as Christ showed compassion so must we his followers.

Christ's message is a stern warning to those who are merciless on their fellowmen. And this includes people who harm or kill their victims in such heinous manner as in the recent massacre of a whole family in Laguna or the slaying and burning of victims by carjackers.

Consider, too, human vultures who take advantage of the misery of people by jacking up the prices of their goods in times of calamities.

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On the positive side, outpourings of help, for instance, from non-government organizations (NGOs) and charitable companies and individuals during calamities are highly laudable. God bless them.

More important—but more difficult—are ordinary, little compassions shown in the day-to-day situations. "More difficult" because, in their ordinariness, they tend to be overlooked.

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Instead of having a good time with friends, for instance, children could help at home; or instead of seeing only the negative side of others, we could be more positive and generous with our compliments; instead of constantly criticizing and finding faults, we could be more supportive and kinder thus lightening the burden of daily living.

Jesus says it is in the degree of our compassion that God will show compassion on us. "Blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy." Think about that and practice it.

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FAMILY TV MASS — is aired on IBC-13 at 9 a.m. every Sunday and on GMA Pinoy Global TV. Sponsor: Mother Butler Mission Guild. Venue: Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Forbes Park, Mkti. Presider: Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM.

For Mass intentions for the sick, the dead, thanksgiving, call Brian at Christ the King Seminary (cf. tel. directory) or e-mail: familytv.mass@yahoo.com.