Scripture Reflection, August 3: Eyes of compassion

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 55: 1-3
Psalm 145
Romans 8: 35, 37-38
Matthew 14: 13-21

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Sometimes we just need to get away by ourselves and reflect. This is true especially when we hear news that is disturbing. In this Sunday’s Gospel Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist “he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.” Jesus had just heard about the execution of the prophet who had prepared the way for him and his ministry. Scripture scholars tell us that Jesus himself may have lived among John’s disciples for a time prior to the beginning of his own public ministry. The news of John’s martyrdom at the hands of Herod Antipas (a brutal act which took place in the context of a meal) must have been very sobering for Jesus. He had lost someone who had been personally important to him. Moreover, Jesus must have wondered if he was going to be next on the list. So this moment was one of those times to be alone, to take stock and reassess the situation. Jesus does just that by withdrawing to a deserted place by himself.

The crowds, however, find Jesus as they always seem to do. Jesus gets out of the boat and sees before him the weary, hungry throngs of people who are looking to be welcomed and nourished. When he sees them, despite the anguish that he must have been feeling over the death of John, his heart is moved with compassion. He heals their sick and refuses to send them home hungry. In so doing, Jesus issues a challenge to his disciples, who seem to want to be rid of these annoying crowds. Through his own action Jesus teaches his disciples that they must not close their eyes or their hearts to these needy people.

The apostle Paul had heard of the tradition of Jesus’ compassionate ministry. And he had a personal knowledge of the power of Christ’s love in his own life. The words he wrote to the Christians at Rome, which we hear in the second reading, articulate some of his deepest personal convictions about the love of Christ. Paul is not simply spinning out theological ideas or principles here. He is speaking from personal experience. He knew firsthand the experience of trials, persecutions and mistreatment in his efforts to proclaim the gospel and care for God’s people. But through these personal ordeals Paul came to realize the all-conquering love of God in Christ. Through his own suffering, often at the hands of others, Paul arrived at a personal knowledge of the tenacious fidelity of God. And so he writes to these Roman Christians in order to assure them that none of these things – anguish, distress, persecution, even death itself – is able to separate them from the love of God that has been lavishly poured out in Christ.

As we pray with these Scripture readings this Sunday, it might be helpful to realize that we can identify with various characters in the gospel. We are part of the hungry crowd of people who come in search of Jesus. We may come to the Eucharist as people burdened by the stresses and demands of life. It may be that Jesus seems far away from us and so we come in search of him, like the gospel crowds that went looking for him. We may have become immersed in activities or a particular lifestyle that we thought would satisfy us but which in fact have left us hungry, malnourished. And so we come to the Eucharist in need of nourishment and healing. We do so with the confidence that this Jesus who disembarked from the boat and gazed on the crowds is also present to us now, alive and active in our midst. And he looks with compassion on us in our need. Like Paul, we confess that this Jesus is the embodiment of the indomitable love of God.

We are also the disciples in the gospel. As those who have been blessed by God’s faithful, compassionate love, we are challenged to nourish others. Sometimes we, too, want to dismiss the needy people in our lives. I had this experience recently when I encountered someone who needed to talk at a time when I was in a hurry to accomplish a number of pressing tasks. I wanted to send this person away so that I could complete these projects. I had to force myself to step back and take some time to listen and to be present to this person. Sometimes we want to send people away to find food elsewhere. It may be the disadvantaged in our society who disturb our comfort level; the troubled friend or relative who seems to ring our telephone too often; or the person in need sitting across the kitchen table from us. In the gospel, after Jesus blesses and breaks the loaves of bread, he gives them to the disciples in order that they may feed the crowds. You and I, like the disciples in the gospel, are an integral part of Jesus’ care for those in need. We are Christ’s hands and feet sent forth to distribute his gifts, commissioned to embody his compassion for a hungry world.

Paul became personally convinced of the faithful, powerful love of God in Christ. As we approach the table of the Lord this Sunday, may we too become more convinced of God’s love for us and may we reflect the compassion of God to those in need.

Fr. Robin Ryan, cp