Today at St Oswald’s we reflected on the Gospel reading for today,
Second Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:35-10:8.
Our visiting preacher, Revd Tim Cockell drew our attention to
chapter 9 and verse 36.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because
they were harried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Most English translations use the word ‘compassion’ over ‘pity.’
This is worth reflecting on, because compassion I would argue
is a better word to use than pity.
Other words aside from pity and compassion could be sympathy.
Why do I think compassion is a better word?
An etymological definition of compassion…
"Feeling of sorrow or deep tenderness for one who is
suffering or experiencing misfortune," mid-14c., compassioun,
literally "a suffering with another," from Old French compassion "sympathy,
pity" (12c.)
The word ‘com’ means ‘with’ or ‘alongside.’
Another example is ‘companion’ which literally translates as,
‘bread fellow’ or ‘messmate.’
Thus, in compassion we have ‘alongside passion.’
Again, the word ‘passion’ has shifted a tad, but in its origins it referenced sufferings, something to be endured, a travail. And in the vocabulary of the Church, we reference the Passion of Christ, especially during Passion Week, Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday.
Pity is a good word but for me can leave the one having pity
in some sort of control, I have pity on you, I feel sorry for you, and
therefore I may deem to do something for you because I pity you.
You can see how quickly the idea of pity begins to put us in
the place of privilege. I am going to do something for you.
I have several discussions this week where we have been exploring
some of the outcomes of this type of thinking and the need to shift our
language and our action.
What might this mean in practical terms?
Well, I may have pity because you find yourself short of
food. I have pity on you and so I will set up a food bank so you can come and
get some food.
But I remain in control, we quickly move and remain in client
provider mode.
This can lead to dependency from the ‘client’ and a certain kind
of satisfaction from the ‘provider’ who is doing something good. And they
certainly are, but it can remain stuck in that position and lacks any dynamic
to enable a change and flourishing of all concerned.
Think of it this way. Human babies are utterly reliant on an older human to nurture and care for them and keep them safe. Initially that human will have to do everything for the baby. However, over time that baby begins to gain independence and agency and engagement.
I heard a story of a new vicar moving into a parish. One of
the activities of the Church was to run a food bank. Their set up was the
Church members stood behind a hatch and served people coming into the Church Hall
for food packages. He soon put a stop to
this. Not stopping the offering of food packages, but the ‘providers’ being
behind any kind of counter. He reorganised the initiative so that it became
more a type of drop in café with ‘providers’ and ‘clients’ in ‘company’ with
each other. Further developments saw this distinction becoming increasingly
blurred and those coming for food packages began to get engaged in a variety of
ways.
The Church has always acted with compassion; it was the
Church that began hospitals and the Church that began schools and advocating
for education for all and much more besides.
However, 2 Thessalonians 3 offers some sobering words for
those who might simply be taking advantage of the Churches compassion and largesse..
For example, in verses 11-12 we read, ‘We
hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are
busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the
Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.’
Perhaps we might want to say that there is a journey to be
made from compassion to companions.
And companions suggest that there is a journey, and this is a
journey, no quick fix, no simple hand-outs but rather a hand up.
If somebody finds themselves in a pit, we don’t simple throw them food and water, we get a ladder, go down into the pit and then help them climb up the ladder.
I have witnessed people stepping up out of pits into the new bright light that is offered through Jesus, practically expressed through the hands and feet of Jesus disciples, and it is a wonder to behold.
And Jesus is
still calling disciples today. And Jesus is still sending out his disciples to
proclaim and demonstrate the Kingdom of God come upon earth.
In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus said, “The
harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
‘Without God we cannot, without us God will not.’
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