Thursday, September 12, 2024
Gospel Reflection: convince, care or both?
The Rev. Rob Stevens
Mark 8:1–13
In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.” His disciples replied, “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.
When was the last time you tried to convince someone of something? I don’t know about you, but I have never been very successful at convincing people…especially if it means changing their mind or position. Given the political landscape in our country currently I have wondered about this more than usual. I’m not sure if its my growing maturity (surely not!) or something less positive, but I am more convinced (ha!) than ever that trying to convince someone rarely fruitful. What if instead we took our lead from Jesus? The story above reminds me that he didn’t spend much time arguing and trying to convince people to see it his way. Instead, he spent his energy caring for others. He did it with words and actions. I realize that our actions and beliefs matter and we cannot simply shrink into the corner and wonder longingly, “Why can’t we all just get along?” But, I have found in my life that Jesus was onto something. Caring for people is very convincing! If we say that we are about love and all we do is shout it at people, even with the best intentions, I’m not sure the message is received. However, acts of kindness and consistent care for others has a way of changing the way we see the world and the way the world sees us.
I pray that we will be bold with our beliefs and seek to convince the world…maybe not so much with our words but with our actions…who knows by caring for others we may just discover that there is enough for all with leftovers!