Compassion on the Crowd

(Originally posted January 28, 2021)

—————————————————-

As I read Mark 6:34-44 this morning, I couldn't help but think about the "great crowd" that gathered at the United States capitol just two days ago. You know the passage well; it's the one that begins: "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd."

Compassion is probably the last sentiment that many of us felt as we watched the bedlam unfold. I feel relatively confident that the "great crowd" that stood before Jesus was not the unruly mob that climbed walls and trampled through the doors and windows of the capitol building. Still, it gets me wondering what Jesus would do or say when he saw this particular large crowd.

In the early Greek texts of the Bible, the Greek verb splagchnizomai was used. It means "to be moved as to one's bowels," or "to be moved with compassion," since the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity. This deep sense of compassion moved Jesus in so many of the gospel stories, usually in places where there was dysfunction or disharmony. Jesus was moved with compassion when people were physically sick, dying, or hungry. He was also moved when they were harassed, helpless, or when they were carrying contagious diseases. He remained merciful and forgiving even when the angry mob set out to have him killed. His desire in all of these incidents was to heal and extend freedom from suffering through the power of forgiveness, love, and mercy.

I've had several conversations about the modern-day "great crowd" fiasco this week. I wish that I could say that compassion was the topic of those conversations. More often, the sentiments were either accusatory or defensive, depending on one's perspective. It seems virtually everyone has an opinion on the matter, from government officials to news reporters to grandmothers (like me!) on the phone or social media. Over time, casually conveyed thoughts can be as destructive as carelessly trampled doors.

Perhaps it's time for us to step back and observe this crowd as Jesus would and have compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. If I follow the scene from this angle, my response automatically changes regardless of my political affiliation. How can I contribute to the conversation with compassion, forgiveness, and mercy? Instead of rehashing the news from morning until night, can I turn my reflections inward and upward in prayerful discernment? Can I feed my soul instead of my curiosity?

In Mark's gospel story, the crowd of 5,000 has more than enough to eat with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. What small things can I share that might satisfy those who are spiritually hungry? Especially during these times when we seem to be inundated with fatalistic messages, how can we be bearers of faith and forgiveness so that we can spread healing and hope? Like the disciples who shared their fish and bread in the gospel story, I think we'll see a miracle unfold whenever we share even just a little bit of faith, hope, and love.

Read more reflections in Nina’s book When on Earth: Discovering Christian Spirituality in the Daily Happenings of Ordinary Life.