Compassion

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

On Sunday, we’ll meditate on what is one of my favorite passages in all of the Bible with my favorite word.

Yes, it’s one of the several lectionary passages with my favorite Biblical word - “Compassion.”

As I look at the state of our world today, I’m struck once again by how little compassion we all seem to have for those across the political and cultural aisle. We have all become quite hard. There are good reasons for this, I understand.

But in this passage it’s instructive to carefully read Jesus’ reaction to this big crowd that has followed him out from the towns. They have not planned ahead. They didn’t bring any food. They are suddenly in a bad situation of their own making.

The way the writer of Mark describes it Jesus looks at them and realizes “they are like sheep without a shepherd.”

A bit lost and pitiful. In another Gospel version the Disciples come to Jesus at this moment and urge him to send them away. They no doubt reason: These folks got themselves into their own predicament, let them fix it.

But Jesus rises above this in a truly holy way that should bring us to our knees.

Jesus does not condemn them, but Jesus “has compassion” on them. And after this spiritual moment, it is only then that the crowd is fed.

As I said on Sunday, I have compassion for any person who puts themselves out there to run for public office. And that includes former President Trump. Being the spouse of a public official has opened my eyes to the daily threats that exist —across the political aisle— for anyone who steps out and attempts to serve.

No person deserves to be be shot at a political rally no matter what their views or prior acts. Political violence cannot get us where we need to be in our nation. Only the power of the ballot box can do this.

But as the nation finds its way through this fraught time, there is this “next level” that Jesus calls us to. It’s a level beyond “tolerance,” and a level beyond “charity.”

It’s compassion…feeling with…suffering with…even those whose own actions have put them in their challenging situations. Compassion even for those who seem to have no compassion.

May we find the challenging path to compassion in this time when our world has so very little of it.