Divine Empathy - Fr. Ed Foley 5.17.26

Have you ever had the chance to care for someone? Maybe professionally as a nurse or doctor, or maybe in a personal way — caring for a sick child, helping a spouse recover after surgery, or supporting a bedridden friend. When someone is unable to care for themselves fully, you become their hands and feet. You bring the medicine, prepare the meals, offer comfort, run errands, and help them heal. Their well-being depends, in part, on your willingness to show up with love, compassion, and empathy. And often, the most healing part of care is not the task itself, but the feeling that someone truly sees your pain and is there for you. That is the power of empathy. It reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering. At the heart of the Ascension that we celebrated this past Sunday is this beautiful truth that Jesus does not leave humanity behind. Instead, He carries the full human experience — our grief, fear, heartbreak, joy, and hope — into the very heart of God. The Ascension is not about distance from humanity, but divine empathy embracing it forever. In many ways, that is exactly what the Feast of the Ascension asks of us. Jesus’ physical body is no longer here on earth. And so now, we are called to become His hands and feet, His voice, His compassion, and His presence in the world. We are the ones called to carry out acts of mercy, pursue justice, spread kindness, and remind people they are deeply loved by God — especially in moments when God can feel absent or far away. And imperfect as we are, we are the ones entrusted to continue His mission. So today Fr. Ed Foley reminds us that Jesus is counting on us to be His healing presence in the world.