Attending to the details

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring us to events in which the suffering for and love of parent for child are presented. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that despite the understanding in the army of David that his son Absalom was not to be harmed, David’s general, Joab killed the rebellious son when he found himself entangled in shrubbery on the trail. The deep sorrow and mourning of the father over the death of his son is expressed in the desire of the King that he could replace his son in death. The love of parent for child is beyond life itself. The tragedy of David followed a lack of attention to detail on behalf of his general. We miss much in life and we risk inadvertently bringing disaster into situations when we fail to let time, careful observation and patience save us from rash action based on assumptions which we often generate internally from poor understanding. DonSchwager tells us that Mark frequently uses a literary technique to "sandwich" a point or story which serves as a "filling" between two pieces of "bread". The Markan Sandwich invited us to see some intricate detail in the work of the Evangelist where the text is inspired not only in the informational content but also in the framework in which it is presented. Sandwich #4 in the Gospel breaks down as the story of the issue of blood from the woman who was hemorrhaging for twelve years is inserted between parts the raising of the daughter of Jairus the girl who is twelve years old. Friar Jude reminds us that this is the third miracle in the Gospel and it corresponds to a completion of the three types of miracle understood in ancient time, nature, exorcism and healing. Looking below the surface is a way for us to grow in understanding of the interconnected detail which surrounds us. The desperate migration of people across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to the Italian islands is explored by the BBC series heart and soul from the entry point of Pope Francis declaration that each one arriving is bringing Jesus. As the documentary tells us the decision to love these desperate people with food and support has brought new life to communities which had been hemorrhaging people and vitality for years. We can act so effectively when we pause and try to look with the eyes of Jesus.