"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saying he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.... (Matthew 9:36, 37)
The Bible is ripe with passages that bring comfort and inspire service.
But as I advance in age and experience, I find myself with a breaking heart often, repeating this passage a lot.
As I contact the world, all its complicated relationships, I can't help but be impressed that a multitude of people are truly like sheep with no shepherd, they have lost their way, and unless we have compassion on them, they will never find their way home; the way of truth and beauty, peace and joy; the Father's way as revealed in our Lord and Master.
It is compassion, not criticism, that is going to transform the world.
No matter how few we can help, we must want to help all, with a great yearning and desire that amounts to compassion, or the task will never be accomplished, "He was moved with compassion on them, as sheep having no shepherd"
Ouch