16^th Sunday in O.T. (B); July 18, 2021

Jer 23:1-6.  Ps 23.  Eph 2:13-18.  Mk 6:30-34

Deacon Jim McFadden

            Mark’s gospel, the first written during the reign of Emperor Nero, is the shortest of all the Gospel accounts consisting of just 16 chapters.  There is very little teaching like we see in Matthew’s gospel nor are there long monologues prevalent in John’s account.  What we have instead is constant ACTION, just one deed after another precisely described.  But, in today’s gospel, Mark does give us insight in a laser-focused way into Jesus’ inner state.  We hear, “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd…” (Mk 6:34abc).  Such insights are comparatively rare and we can miss their import.  “His heart was moved with pity for them” is an artful translation of the Greek term splagchnizomai, which means something visceral like “guts, bowels.”  When Jesus saw the crowds, he was moved deep down into his guts.  By using this word, Mark is making an a connection  with Jesus and the God of Israel, whose mercy is regularly described in the Old Testament in this way.  Interestingly, the Hebrew term for this notion is rahamim, one that is related to the “womb” and “love.”  Not surprisingly the term is used with reference to motherhood, which we poignantly hear from the prophet Hosea,

            When Israel was a child I loved him,

                        out of Egypt I called my son.

            The more I called them, the farther they went from me,

            Sacrificing to the Baals

                        and burning incense to idols.

            Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

                        who took them into my arms;

            I drew them with human cords,

                        with bands of love;

            I fostered them like one

                        who raises an infant to his cheek (Hos 11:1-4ab).

So, the feeling that Jesus is experiencing is similar to that of a mother responding to her infant child’s hunger or cry of pain.

            Now, keep in mind that this episode occurred shortly after Jesus had suffered two heartbreaking setbacks: he was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth and his cousin John the Baptist was executed by King Herod.  Putting yourself in Jesus’ sandals, one could be excused for getting discouraged or wondering whether this whole enterprise was worth it.  But, at that moment the Father responds with a flash of insight: the setbacks are temporary, but the shepherding mission continues which we hear in our first reading from the prophet Jeremiah.  At that moment the “vast crowd” becomes a metaphor for suffering humanity with its fears, confusion, hopes, thwarted dreams, and continued beat downs by oppressive forces.  This intuitive flash-of-insight filled Jesus with compassion, and that feeling propelled him to even greater action culminating in his crucifixion which he endured because he loves us. 

            People of God, there are going to be times when we get discouraged and wonder whether this whole “Catholic thing” is worth it.  Or, we can go through the motions of checking off our duties on our religious “to do list.”  Such attitudes can generate disregard for others in which we keep our distance as we go about our affairs.  These all too human attitudes generate a malaise that lacks compassion.

            At this point, what can shake us from these doldrums?  If we pause and ask ourselves, “Have I ever been an object of God’s compassion?”  Have I experienced Jesus loving me like a mother does for her suffering child?  If we have that experience, then we know that it was always been preceded  and accompanied by his mercy.  Jesus gazes upon you and his heart is moved with pity and he takes action on your behalf!

            When we distance ourselves from Jesus and his love, the wheels start to come off from our lives: we become lost and life is transformed into one disappointment after another as we become frustrated and discouraged.  But, when we experience his mercy and know that he is at our side, we can proceed with our mission as baptized Catholics to deal with our trials and challenges.  We can move forward advancing in love toward God and our neighbor.  Jesus has given himself completely and unconditionally for our good; he is an example of love and service for each of us.  So, when we gaze upon the “vast crowd,” may we be moved with pity and compassion.  Amen.