Noticing at the Airport & Gut-Wrenching Compassion

One of my favorite things to do at the airport when traveling is people watching. The hustle and bustle of people sauntering through the airport or those who are hustling to their gate. The warm, happy reunions at baggage claim. A person reading a book or in deep thought. A group of friends laughing over drinks at a bar. 

An airport is an opportunity to be amid the full diversity of humans from all walks of life from all corners of the globe. As I watch all the people coming and going around me, I often wonder what is going on in that person’s mind and heart. What weighs on your mind? What delights you and makes you smile? What are your hopes and dreams? Where is your final destination? Where is your home located? What do you love about your life and what is hard about your life?

The scene of humanity at an airport is perhaps similar to what Jesus witnessed when taking in the vast crowds of people coming to see him. Throngs of people coming from towns and villages, all with the hope to see this rabbi; hear a word from his teaching, experience a needed healing. 

And each of those people? Jesus knew every single one of them. He knew what brought them; the longings, hopes, fears, and crushed spirits. Jesus knew their names, situations, and hearts.

And he felt gut-wrenching compassion for every single one of them.

When Jesus sees someone who is sick or struggling, the Gospels often describe his emotions as σπλαγχνισθεὶς (splanchnistheis). It's usually translated as "moved with pity." If we look closer it means he felt it "in his guts." The depths of his spirit, some may even say his bowels. A love so intensely felt that it causes a physical ache in the body. We are not talking about mere pity or polite sympathy, but something much deeper. 

In each of the Gospel accounts, this specific emotion always leads Jesus to action. He does something. His love and care for that unique child of God leads him to do something about the situation. He opens the eyes of the blind man, raises a dead little girl back to life, dries up the flow of blood for an ostracized woman. Those are just a few of the many.

That's the kind of compassion we are to feel for others. The gut-wrenching kind that propels you and I in our protected daily lives to do something. To stand up and stand with people. To use our voices, votes, prayers, holy raging and laments to do something.

Not from a place of sympathy at an arms length but to enter into someone else’s suffering. To be moved from the bowels of your spirit to use your voice and power and privilege to do something.

May each of us take the time to notice and see the people around us, in our local communities and around the globe. Can we allow ourselves to be moved with gut-wrenching compassion like Jesus?

Today's Readings

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Patty Breen McNeil has served in Catholic lay ministry for over two decades and currently serves as a Director of Mission Services in Catholic healthcare. Between writing and lifting weights, she makes a home with her husband in Muskegon, MI.