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Commissioning of Joseph, Max, and Paul
The Institute
February 3, 2016
FIRST SIGN OF CILVILIZATION +++++++++++++++++++
Ø I
recently read about an interesting insight by the anthropologist Margaret Mead
Ø She
was asked what constituted the first sign of civilization in a culture
Ø The
questioner expected the answer 2B invention or use of some kind of tool or art
form, but answer was surprising
Ø She
said: “A healed femur”
Ø Her
point was that no healed bones were found where the law of the “survival of the fittest” reigns
Ø A
healed bone shows that someone had to do the injured person’s hunting and
gathering until the injury healed
Ø Someone
had to care enough for one who was hurt so that the individual could heal
Ø Given
that, Dr. Mead said that compassion is the first sign of civilization
COMPASSION FOR JESUS ++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Her
insight reflects today’s Gospel
Ø No
1 would help this man 2 get into pool of water
Ø He’d
been ill, lame or paralyzed for 38 years
Ø He
was unable 2B 1st into pool so he could B healed
Ø Jesus
simply asks him: “Do you want to be
well?”
Ø The
man answers “Yes” and Jesus doesn’t
even put him into the water
Ø He
just pronounces the man healed and tells him to get up and walk, and that is
what he does
COMPASSION FOR US +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø So,
like Jesus, we’re called to notice the needs of one another and to offer loving
attention
Ø As
with the man in the Gospel, no one else may have done that for the individual
in need
Ø Yes,
offer loving attention and expect nothing in return, no recognition; not even a
thank you
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Margaret
Mead would call such an act a sign of civilization
Ø We
would say it is simply being Christ-like
Ø It
is what God made us to be like and to do
Ø On
this day of 4-fold commissioning, we recognize that same compassion offered
& received
Ø After
all, It is the first sign of civilization
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
