Soul Sisters: Compassion and Mercy

 John 5: 1-9

 

This morning I would like to introduce you to Jesus’ Soul Sisters.

These two sisters are present in most stories told in the Gospels.  The Soul Sisters go about their business, unnamed, yet, they are the catalyst, the power, and the strength; the agency in the Jesus’ stories.  As a pair they are courageous and bold. Their characters and essences arouse and coax resurrection living from those within whom they live.

 

Meet the Two Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy.

 

Compassion – dressed in shades of blue with a calm demeanor and an inviting smile, looks people in the eye and draws them into a confidence and trust.

Compassion has many skills on her CV:

She recognizes the suffering of others and takes action to help;

She feels another’s pain; what it is like to live in someone else’s shoes;

She has concern for the human spirit and desires to alleviate suffering;

She works from the knowledge that there can not be peace and joy for me, until there is peace and joy for you.

 

Mercy – dressed in beige and ivories accentuates and enhances her sister, Compassion; Mercy exudes a spirit that instantly makes people comfortable; sitting with anyone, everyone, and listening well.  She is comfortable in her own skin and shares this through gentle caring hands.

Mercy’s character includes:

A disposition to show kindness and practice forgiveness;

Actions that are a compassionate treatment for those in distress;

she works from the knowledge of her older sister, so her actions are the fruits of compassion.

Her general operational mode is clemency and leniency, setting aside a demand for punishment or harm. Her greatest joy is sharing compassion as a gift to those suffering and living without compassion.

 

Without the Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy – the story of Jesus healing the man by the pool of Bethzatha would not have happened.

 

Consider the man by the pool.

The man had been sick for 38 years.  When asked if he would like to be healed, his response was not ‘yes,’ rather it was a string of excuses as to why he was not already well. He blamed others who made it to the water first; and blamed others, who did not help him.

The man after being healed walked away – no conversation, no thanks, no acknowledgement of the event, no statement of faith. The man was caught by authorities carrying his mat on the sabbath, an offense. The man blamed the one who healed him, whom he didn’t know and couldn’t name. Later he recognized Jesus and reported him to the authorities; still no gratitude.

 

As a human being, my inclination is either to become calloused enough not to notice or to purposefully ignore and turn away from ‘the-man-at-the-pool.’

Enter into the story the Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy.

Jesus is walking in the portico surrounded by sick people who are resting in the shade, waiting to get to the pool for healing.  As he is walking, Compassion nudges Jesus, “This guy, approach this guy, and introduce me to him.”

 

Jesus listens and through him Compassion extends her inviting smile and looks directly into the eyes of the man. Mercy extends a gentle hand and raises her voice, “Would you like to be healed?” Jesus is hit with the man’s defensiveness, excuses, and uncharitable blame thrown about.

Hearing the reluctance of the man and wanting Jesus to not get discouraged, Compassion exudes calm to fill Jesus’ spirit and warm his heart. Mercy steps forward to lend a hand and raising her voice says, 'Arise.’

 

Compassion and Mercy – Soul Sisters-

Searched and found a man in bondage and desired to alleviate him from suffering.

It was their courageous energy and bold enthusiasm that released the man.

It was their faithful devotion and gracious love that resurrected wholeness and life.

Compassion and Mercy bore the dissuading nature and disheartening attributes of the sick man; forgiving the lack of faith, lack of willingness, lack of agency, lack of ownership and responsibility, lack of recognition, lack of gratitude. The Soul Sisters embodied their essence through Jesus and gifted wholeness to the world. Compassion and Mercy resurrected kindom in that moment.

This is Good News. This is resurrection.

 

I am taking a course on Emotional Intelligence. The instructors continually ask participants to reflect on the connection of one’s thoughts and emotions in relation to circumstances. The course offers resources to encourage using emotional intelligence to change one’s perception, reaction, and the outcome of circumstances.  Examples, like that of the man who was sick for 38 years, are given.  Do you want to be made well? Or is it easiest to continue in bondage? Is it easiest to remain sick? Probably.

After a period of time sickness or bondage of any kind, becomes normal and comfortable. One forgets what was and in the state of sickness knows what to expect and what is expected of them. If one doesn’t hope too much or expect too much, one is protecting themself from further hurt. Whatever the bondage is becomes the person’s identity.

Consider the immense amount of energy it would take to recreate oneself after 38 years. This man would have to find a job, a place to live, make new relationships, navigate society and being with other people, figure out the marketplace, make decisions, and the list goes on. The prospect of being resurrected – whole- is daunting.

Sometimes we are in bondage, meaning we are not whole. We hold on to the past, live in the past, give up on the future or put all our hope in a someday; we often miss living resurrected in the present moment because we fear it is too much work.

 

Today’s Easter text is clear, that resurrection can surprise us; be gifted to us; and it matters not our willingness, our attitude, our faith, our recognition, or our gratitude. The Soul Sisters come and lavishly give gifts of compassion and mercy, resurrecting God’s kindom, one person at a time.

 

American author and political activist Marianne Williamson wrote:

May we not succumb to thoughts of violence and revenge today, but rather to thoughts of mercy and compassion. We are to love our enemies that they might be returned to their right minds.

 

Oh that Compassion and Mercy would come among us, walk through this hurting world; 

that all might through love be returned to their right minds.

Whether we are in bondage, waiting for Compassion and Mercy to visit,

or striving to be a courageous Jesus’ follower – in whatever state of wholeness –

may we open ourselves to the presence and work of the Soul Sisters; Compassion and Mercy.

 In Jesus’ name. Amen.