In this account from Mark, Jesus had compassion. This word, splagchnizomai in Greek, comes from the root splagchnon (meaning “bowels”) which has a sense of a visceral, gut-level form of compassion. It intrigues me that this deep, embodied compassion prompted Jesus to teach.
Leading up to this moment, Jesus is trying to get away, to rest. His disciples row him toward the people; however, he is compelled by compassion to teach. As he is teaching, I imagine the crowd turning to one another—What did he say?—repeating his words, passing them along.
In this artwork, the elements of the story are framed in a stained glass window design. Centered, the people gather in circles, passing the scarcely abundant food to one another. Waves encircle the crowd, representing the twelve disciples. The outer architectural elements portray the twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish—a representation of abundance from scarcity, powered by collective belief.
Jesus did not have a microphone. It was the people in the front who passed the still, small voice of God back to those behind them. It was the people in the front who passed more than enough food back to those who were hungry. In our propaganda-filled global information system, we must remember: God is not holding the mic. God is present in the still, small voice and in the smallest offerings, multiplying one by one. The message, the compassion, the corners of bread, and the pieces of fish all return in abundance.
– Hannah Garrity
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Delilah/The Table on Tap
It was promising and profound to know that we are unsatisfied, but that there is water that will satiate that thirst. Jesus told this message to the Samaritan woman, and continued to share that same message to his disciples. We felt God is still speaking to us now – with the very same message. Whether we are hearing about Jesus for the first time or have grown up with him, whether we are pale or brown, Jesus can give us the living water and we wont have to be thirsty anymore.
We also found Jesus to be almost rude and funny – human? He walks up to this woman and says, “give me a drink” – it sounds demanding. Then asks her about her husbands, knowing that she doesn’t have one – but many. Almost testing her…
Verse 24 stuck out to us, as well. People have their ideas and stereotypes about Christians and church, but this verse reminded us that it is not where are when we worship or study, but that we do it in spirit and truth. Like we do at the Table on Tap.
Everyone has a story. Maybe we don’t think it is a profound and interesting as the Samaritan woman’s story, but it might be the right story for whoever you are sharing with. Sometimes, it is in the ordinary that the extraordinary happens.
There was so much more. Alot of watching over each other in love. Lots of soup, tea, cocoa and water. Lots of friends. See you next Monday.