Jesus felt the tightening of the muscles of the solar plexus and constriction

[contemplative]

From Fully Human, Fully Divine by Michael Casey

In Mark 6:34, it is clearly stated that Jesus was moved by the unhappy confusion of the crowd: they were like shepherdless sheep. The Greek word that is usually translated as “having compassion” is very physical. It is not an abstract benevolence reaching out from a great distance, like a philanthropist in his penthouse feeling pity for the homeless. The verb esplagcnsqh means that at this moment Jesus felt the tightening of the muscles of the solar plexus and constriction of his innards—just as we feel when we experience strong emotion. It was literally, a gut reaction. It was as though Jesus absorbed into himself the chaos of the crowd and allowed it to generate within his own awareness the sharp anxiety and pain which they dimly experienced. Taking their condition on himself, he acted to reduce their confusion by clear and authoritative teaching which was simultaneously comforting and challenging. The important thing to note, however, is that Jesus did not see himself merely as a supplier of unmet needs whose task was to remedy the deficiency. His response was, rather, to open a relationship in which all that was his would be accessible to those who approached him. His solidarity with their pain led him to invite them to a solidarity with his connectedness to his heavenly Father.

I’m very glad I read this passage in Casey’s book in light of Benedict XVI’s Message for Lent 2006 .

I hope someone else finds greater meaning as well.

 

[Catholic29]

I can’t imagine how horrid the pain was for him…:crying:

 

[Eileen_T]

I have an elderly Catholic patient who gets frustrated by his limitations (stroke) who has a crucifix in his hospital room right in front of him. I have been told I am probably the only person on the staff who likes him.

When he complained last night about how he gets irritated by other staff and how they treat him, I pointed to the crucifix and said “He had it worse than you.”

I hope somebody reminds me if I am ever in his situation and feeling helpless and sorry for myself.

 

[kevathaide01]

Thanks, Contemplative. We’ll never realise how much our Lord was connected to the souls of the people. We see many other places where there is a similar reaction: the widow’s mites, for instance.