Jesus sighed....

Mark 7: 31 - 37

Jesus sighed and said to him...."be opened"

This passage is a healing somewhat like the other healing miracles of Jesus. But I notice that it is recorded, "Jesus sighed" as he looked up to heaven.... it seems to underline Jesus' heart felt response to the deaf man's predicament. He "took him aside from the multitude privately" - this time Jesus did not heal in public view, but perhaps understood the man's need for privacy. And Jesus' compassion arose as he extended his healing touch, all the while attuned to his Father in heaven.

To have compassion is to be "moved from within, at a gut level" - it is to allow something to affect us deeply. Perhaps it creates a feeling of sadness at the plight of another, or a desire for the other to experience the goodness of life that they find lacking in their situation.

I am often left wondering what I can do when such a feeling arises in myself. Jesus reached out to heal, something he had the power to do. For us, the specific action called for can be harder to discern. For example, I see a foreign worker trying very hard to sell some products in a shop that does not seem to attract customers. I have gone in there to look -see and am the only customer. I can't find anything suitable - and the worker looks so pathetic as he tries to convince me that the design of the "garden urn" is good for me. I say "thank you" but "no, it's not for me" and just walk away to try the next shop. I heard a little frustration in his voice - perhaps their salary depends on sales as well.....and there seems to be little movement of the products.

Maybe I felt sad that sometimes people have to work at jobs that frustrate and do not bring out the best in them as human persons with dignity and uniqueness. This is the lot of the vast majority of people in this world. Lord, may You have mercy and compassion on them. May You teach me how to live a more compassionate life in prayer and action.