Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12, 2006

BCP: 2 Kings 5:1-15b; Psalm 42 or 42:1-7; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

RCL: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

In reading passages from the gospels, such as today’s story of the leper made clean who could not keep a secret, we look for applications for our daily walk as a follower of Jesus. What is there about Jesus in this story that we can emulate?

Answering that question can take us to the heart of this or any other passage. Most of us have not made any lepers clean in any literal sense. However, have we been moved with pity (Mark 1:41)? Is being so moved the key to this passage?

Some people question the NRSV’s translation of the Greek word splagchnizomai with the word “pity.” The Greek word literally means to be moved in one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion. The bowels were thought to be the seat of love and compassion. The word “compassion” carries with it the sense of suffering with the person rather than merely feeling sorry (pity) for the other. Therefore, both the KJV and the NIV use the word “compassion.”

We can have compassion and suffer with others even if we cannot cure them in some physical sense. Having a heart willing to break is the heart of this gospel story.

If we look only to spectacular events we can be blinded, losing sight of the deeply spiritual found in the ordinary. Naaman was blinded in this way when Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. It was too ordinary for him. However, he eventually came around and found more than a cure. He found God (2 Kings 5:15).

Likewise, Jesus curing the leper was spectacular, and may make us feel like following Jesus is out of our reach. If we look only for the extraordinary, as Naaman did, we may not see how we can follow this example of Jesus. But let us open our eyes to the heart of the gospel story: compassion. Suffering with others is not always commonplace. Our challenge is to make compassion ordinary in our lives. Touched in our hearts, we, like Jesus, can stretch out our hands and touch others.

Look It Up

In a Greek dictionary look up the word splagchnizomai for further understanding of its meaning. Also look up the word “compassion” in an English dictionary to better understand its etymology.

Think About It

In 1 Corinthians, Paul compares being a Christian to running a race as an athlete (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Is compassion one characteristic of being an athlete in a Christian sense?

Next Sunday

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, February 19, 2006

BCP: Isaiah 43:18-25; Psalm 32 or 32:1-8; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12

RCL: Isaiah 43:18-25; Psalm 41; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12