Splagchnizomai: Compassion in Action

Mother Paige focuses on compassion in the lectionary readings, highlighting the Greek word “splagchnizomai,” Jesus’ gut-wrenching compassion for people “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd,” an indictment of failed leadership. She describes Jesus commissioning the twelve to proclaim that the kingdom (or empire) of heaven has come near, contrasting this “good news” with Rome’s imperial “euangelion.” Noting that Matthew’s Missionary Discourse spans three weeks and that Matthew never actually narrates the apostles being sent, she emphasizes discipleship as compassion in action—healing, restoring, and caring for those failed by systems. She points to the diverse community of disciples (including Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot), the initial focus on the lost sheep of Israel, and the boundaries of compassion (offering peace, leaving when necessary). Reading Romans through compassion, she stresses God meets suffering with transforming love that produces endurance, character, and hope through the Holy Spirit.00:00 Opening Prayer00:06 Choosing Compassion00:40 Splagchnizomai Explained01:53 Sheep Without Shepherd02:38 Commissioned to Heal03:01 Good News vs Rome04:47 Missionary Discourse Setup05:58 Discipleship in Action06:42 A Diverse Apostle Team08:01 Start With Our Own09:04 Boundaries of Peace09:47 Romans Hopeful Ending