Friday January 12th: Jesus, model of mercy and compassion.

Addressing human suffering and vulnerabilities is at the core of Jesus’ ministry.

Mark 2: 1 – 12

Though Jesus was surrounded by many people, and He was obviously engaged in preaching when they brought the paralysed man, He did not object to their intrusion and disruption of events already taking place. Jesus allowed Himself to be interrupted and He attended to the paralysed man.

The interruption highlights several truths about Jesus. Firstly, it highlights Jesus’ accessibility and compassion. Jesus did not turn the man away. Instead, He stopped and gave the man His full attention. Nothing hinders Jesus from attending to those in need.

Secondly, it shows that Jesus made human need a priority. His preaching and teaching, though important and necessary, did not come before the human person. Addressing human suffering and vulnerabilities is at the core of Jesus’ ministry.

And thirdly, it shows that Jesus often teaches through actions. The emphasis on Jesus breaking social norms and expectations to reach out to those in need reinforces the idea that mercy and compassion are concrete expressions of God’s love. In doing so, Jesus serves as a model.