Saturday Evening Service- Informal “Sermon Ball”
Questions for discussion in small groups from the Gospel of Mark appointed for this week:
- What is the difference between compassion and sympathy?
- Why do you think Jesus showed compassion rather than sympathy?
- How do you know when to be compassionate and when to be sympathetic?
- Have you ever felt like a sheep without a shepherd?
- What helped you find you way back?
- What was not helpful?
- How can we translate this into our ministry to our parish family and to the wider world?
- What is the importance of the Jesus’ ministry of healing to you?
- Where do you most connect with Jesus (what type of ministry)?
- What do you understand healing to be? (Difference between healing and cure)
Compassion is an interesting word. Among other things, it signifies a willingness to move beyond empathy. It is about more than simply sharing the feelings of another. And, it is also different from sympathy. Compassion, as evidenced by Jesus, is about acting out the words and the feelings.
Jesus had compassion. Jesus taught in response to that connection with those who were like sheep without a shepherd. He lived out his teachings:
he healed, he drove out demons, and he wept at the death of Lazarus. He prayed for those who hurt him. He prayed for those who were unable to follow the Good News like the young ruler who went away sad because Jesus told him to give up all he had. He prayed for those who nailed him to the cross.
In Jesus, compassion has hands and feet – broken and wounded for us. Compassion is feelings for another coupled with action in response to the need of the other. Compassion is, therefore, all about relationships.
At the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus notes that the disciples have “no leisure even to eat” (Mark 6:31). So Jesus invites them to “come away to a deserted place… and rest a while” (Id). Jesus knows we need rest and leisure to regroup. We need time to reflect upon what is happening and how we are to proceed. We need time to get over hurt feelings and to find ways to reconnect with those we love who have acted in ways that seem opposite from what we understand to be true and faithful reflections of God’s desires for us, individually and as community.
Jesus doesn’t turn his back on those who have followed him even when they disappoint him– Jesus’ efforts to find some time apart, some leisure to eat with his disciples- is stymied by those who seek him out. Those who know or have heard of the great teacher and prophet. Those who simply want to touch his cloak – in faith that doing so means they will be healed. Rather than merely empathizing, or sympathizing, with those who have sought him out, Jesus acts and heals. Jesus teaches. Jesus spends time with those who need him. Jesus is compassionate.
In the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Matthew, these verses about Jesus’ compassion for the crowd are connected to the feeding with five loaves and two fishes. Jesus clearly is the source of life – both physically with food to eat – and wholeness of mind and body through healing and teaching. The compassion of Jesus mirrors the compassion of God for the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. God provides manna to the Israelites just as Jesus turns 5 loves and two fishes into sufficient food for crowds of 5000 and more. Our needs – in all respects- are met by God, who has compassion for God’s people. God acts for our benefit it we but take the time to look.
As Paul reminds us, love is patient and kind. Love endures all things. Love forgives all things. We also need to keep in mind the mystery of faith. The mystery of the Eucharist that calls us to join our brothers and sisters at the altar and to partake of the bread and wine – the body and blood of Jesus, who died that we might live. Come apart. Rest. Reflect. Then act with compassion towards all those you meet.
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