There was a great photograph in one of the weekend papers of half a dozen people sitting together on a park bench in London in the heat, and not one of them communicating with the other. It was entitled "together but alone." They were so close together it was hard not to speak, yet they took the trouble to make sure they didn't catch each other's eye and thus be forced to talk or at least acknowledge one another.

Isn't it sad that we can be like that, because the most unexpected conversations can reveal something rich and interesting about the lives of those around us yet we miss out perhaps because we are too scared to take a chance and speak first, or because we don't want to seem stupid, or because we don't want to be rejected.

There are so many lonely people around,  for whom a smile, a word and a chat could make all the difference and although we may not feel that we can change many of the problems in this world, this is certainly something we can do. Jesus was able to see through the crowds to the individuals and give them what they needed, I pray we too might be ready to respond.

"As he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were worried and helpless like sheep without a shepherd."
Matthew 9 vs 36