Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every

Transcription

1 Ian J. Elmer

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3 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. (Matt 9:35-38)

4 The World behind the Text The World within the Text The World before (in front) of the Text

5 hesed raḥ amim Mercy Eleos splagchna

6 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion (esplagchnizthe ) for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. esplagchnizthe (splagchnizomai) = to be moved in one s bowels Modern equivalents? gut/heart wrenching Heart sick heart broken gut reaction stomach churning butterflies Cf. reḥem - raḥ amim (womb) Kinship Fellow-feeling Care (nursing mother)

7 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion (esplagchnizthe ) for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. What does this passage tell us about Matthew s world? What metaphors does Matthew use here to describe Jesus feelings? Why these particular metaphors? How would his original hearers have understood these metaphors? What other familiar scriptural passages is Matthew drawing on here (cf. Numbers 27:16-20; 1 Kgs 22:17)? Matthew 9:35-38 World behind the text

8 Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep without a shepherd. So the LORD said to Moses, Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him You shall give him some of your authority, so that all the congregation of the Israelites may obey Numbers 27:16-20 (cf. 1 Kgs 22:17) the people wander like sheep; they suffer for lack of a shepherd. My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts has compassion (hesed) for his flock, the house of Judah Zechariah 10:2 3 [God] chose his servant David, and took him from the sheepfolds; from tending the nursing ewes he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel, his inheritance. With faithfulness he cared them, and guided them with skillful hand. Psalm 78:70 72

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10 My favourite quotes from Pope Francis: The priest who seldom goes out of himself misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, lose heart and become in a sense collectors of antiquities or novelties instead of being shepherds living with the smell of the sheep. This is what I am asking you be shepherds with the smell of sheep. Pope Francis address to the world s priests at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday March 28

11 [The lawyer] asked Jesus, And who is my neighbour? Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend. Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? He said, The one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (Lk 10:29 37)

12 The World behind the Text The World within the Text The World before (in front) of the Text

13 Why foreigners (and in the words of the prophets) widows, orphans, and poor people? What is in it for me? Power Mercy The word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness (hesed) and mercy (raḥ amim) to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. (Zechariah 7:8 10)

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15 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. And moved by compassion (splagchnizomai ), the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, Pay what you owe. Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy (eleeō) on your fellow slave, as I had mercy (eleeō) on you? And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart (kardia).

16 imago dei Exodus Exile and Return Eschaton

17 Noah Covenant Abraham Moses David New Covenant - Jesus The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) Mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:13)

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19 Year of Mercy Year of Mercy Resources, Mercy World. URL: Loyola Press, Year of Mercy Resources. URL: Biblical Commentaries, Dictionaries, and Concordances Bible Gateway, Resources URL: Biblical Studies on the Web Mark Goodacre s New Testament Gateway Felix Just s Catholic Resources Oxford Biblical Commentaries Online s.xhtml Torrey Seland s Resource Pages for Biblical Studies