2 After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. 2 So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. 3 Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. 4 They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.
Reflection
We do not really know anything about this man who was being carried on a mat and lowered through the roof other than his physical paralysis. And we know very little about the people who were bringing him to Jesus for healing. What we can surmise is that the people carrying the paralyzed man would go to any lengths to have their friend healed. They cared deeply
for this man and showed great compassion for him. They may have been related and probably lived in the same neighborhood. Some of them may have cared for this man for years, possibly since childhood. I began to think about the great lengths we will reach to help our friends and loved ones seeking the best medical treatment, providing round the clock care, holding special fundraisers to help financially, driving someone to appointments, and countless other ways. I am also reminded of the Hebrew tradition to sit “Shiva” for seven days after the death and funeral of a family member. The family stays home to focus on their grief, remembering their loved one and receiving visitors. Friends and family visit, bring food and celebrate the life of the deceased for seven days. In diving a little deeper into the tradition, I
found a few possibilities for its origins. The Talmud holds that the practice originated in the story of Noah (Genesis 7:10). Another more direct explanation can be found in Genesis 50:10: “And he [Joseph] mourned for his father [Jacob] for seven days.” Then we fast forward to
Christian church traditions where members of congregations have been bringing food and showing compassion to others for centuries! How many casseroles have you given or received in times of illness and grief in your church or neighborhood? Fast forward again and think about how showing compassion to friends and neighbors has exploded with the internet tools such as Signup Genius and Go Fund Me. Most recently, as I reflect on Compassion for Friends and Neighbors, I think of the great compassion that was shown by the diplomats who recently negotiated the freedom of prisoners being detained for years in Russia and their continued struggle for the release of others being detained around the world. In today’s global community the definition of neighbor and friend goes far beyond the borders of the town in which we live. We may not be able to physically show compassion for everyone in need but our prayers and work for justice are ways we can feel and demonstrate our deep compassion for people around the world.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
A natural link within the Compassion Camp devotionals this week is Leviticus 19:18 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This verse is repeated nine more times in the New Testament. I suspect it may be the most familiar of the commandments referred to for millennia. I challenge you to take at least five minutes to pray for your neighbors, whoever comes to mind as you are contemplating this devotional. As you sit in silence, ask God who needs your compassion today? How might you respond?
Prayer: Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me this day and every day. Help me to expand my vision of who are my neighbors. Give me eyes to see the needs of neighbors here and around the world. Open my heart to respond to those needs in positive and just ways, giving aid to those most in distressed and disadvantaged. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. May
my heart be opened to the compassion of Christ so that I become more like you. Amen.