David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 6:34-37

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. ³⁵ And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. ³⁶ Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” ³⁷ But he answered them,“You give them something to eat.”

“The Desert Fathers were hermits, ascetics, and monks who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD.” (Wikipedia.com) Their practices included

• Withdrawal from society
• Hesychasm (Stillness, or quietness)
• Charity and forgiveness
• Recitation of scripture

Significant to their practice of the Christian faith was the emphasis they gave

to living and practicing the teachings of Christ, much more than mere theoretical knowledge. Their efforts to live the commandments were not seen as being easy—many of the stories from that time recount the struggle to overcome negative emotions such as anger and judgment of others. Helping a brother monk who was ill or struggling was seen as taking priority over any other consideration. Hermits were frequently seen to break a long fast when hosting visitors, as hospitality and kindness were more important than keeping the ascetic practices that were so dominant in the Desert Fathers’ lives. (Wikipedia.com)

Jesus had compassion on the crowds, and that is interesting on two levels. First of all the Greek word for compassion is splagchnizomai – the word is an onomatopoeia and refers to being moved in one’s bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion. More important, however, is the fact that Jesus didn’t just feel for the crowds he acted in their behalf.

I wonder if I need to act more often on the impulses of compassion and actually do something in the face of the pain, suffering, or other hurts that I see all around me. Jesus’ compassion for lost and weary sinners ultimately got him killed, I know. But I have a long way to go before I get that far. That is Jesus’ call however, when he says, “Whoever loses his life for me and the Gospel’s sake will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Mark 6:30-44

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ And he said to them,“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³² And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. ³³ Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. ³⁵ And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. ³⁶ Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” ³⁷ But he answered them,“You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” ³⁸ And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. ⁴¹ And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² And they all ate and were satisfied. ⁴³ And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. ⁴⁴ And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.