εὐαγγελίζω (euaggelizo)
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“to announce the Good News of victory in battle”
“As he was entering a village,
ten lepers met [him].
They stood at a distance from Him and
raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity (ἐλέησον, eleésōn) on us!”
ten lepers met [him].
They stood at a distance from Him and
raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity (ἐλέησον, eleésōn) on us!”
θεωρέω (theoreo)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
(“to perceive, discover, ponder a deeper meaning”)
When 10 lepers saw Jesus and cried out “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us,” what did they expect from Him? It is a question worth asking because it can, among a number of perspectives, help us appreciate what pity or mercy meant in the time of Jesus and so help us to appreciate what it means ‘to give thanks’ as a current disciple of Jesus. The Greek verb ἐλεέω (eleéō), translated in today’s Gospel proclamation as [to] have pity, can also be rendered into English as “to have compassion” as well as “give, show, obtain or receive mercy” according to a variety of lexicons. But even with that information, it does not seem to give us a clear meaning of what it means ‘to pity’ or ‘to show mercy.’
ἐλεέω (eleéō), as used in around the time of the great Philosopher Plato, described a feeling (or an emotion) that responded to unfortunate events that befell another person or persons. Whatever the other person experienced, ἐλεέω (eleéō) clearly conveyed that things were not good. Furthermore ἐλεέω (eleéō) implied, in the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “that’s a shame.” In other words, one recognized that what happened was bad AND I am quite happy that it did not happen to me! Social decorum dictated, however, that this aspect of ἐλεέω (eleéō) not be voiced.
In time, ἐλεέω (eleéō) began to express more than a feeling or emotion. It is hard to determine precisely when but some textual and historical evidence suggests that ἐλεέω (eleéō) was influenced significantly by Jewish life expressed by the Hebrew word hesed. While difficult to translate into English with a single word, hesed is one of the Hebrew words for love that includes actions of kindness, generosity and mercy to name only a few. What is most important is that hesed is an action born of choice, NOT primarily a feeling or emotion nor merely ‘nice thoughts.’ Can hesed involve feelings and emotions? Sure. The various actions of hesed are often ‘enhanced’ by feelings, emotions or passions. But, the absence of feelings, emotions or passions does not mean the absence of hesed because hesed flows from the intellect, not the passions.
In time, ἐλεέω (eleéō) began to express more than a feeling or emotion. It is hard to determine precisely when but some textual and historical evidence suggests that ἐλεέω (eleéō) was influenced significantly by Jewish life expressed by the Hebrew word hesed. While difficult to translate into English with a single word, hesed is one of the Hebrew words for love that includes actions of kindness, generosity and mercy to name only a few. What is most important is that hesed is an action born of choice, NOT primarily a feeling or emotion nor merely ‘nice thoughts.’ Can hesed involve feelings and emotions? Sure. The various actions of hesed are often ‘enhanced’ by feelings, emotions or passions. But, the absence of feelings, emotions or passions does not mean the absence of hesed because hesed flows from the intellect, not the passions.
When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek (the Septuagint), ἐλεέω (eleéō) rendered the Hebrew hesed. But ἐλεέω (eleéō) at that time did not have the depth of meaning conveyed by hesed. Among the Jewish people, hesed was grounded in the context of relational living, regardless of whether or not the relationship was between or among equals. In other words, hesed factored into relationships whether one was speaking of God and humanity, friend to friend or king and slave. In these and other relationships, hesed acknowledged a connection among persons and because of that connection a person had to act - ‘had to do hesed’ - when another person was in need. Hesed, consequently, expressed action triggered by an act of the will not first or foremost an emotion or feeling.
Thus by the time of Jesus’ Public Ministry, ἐλεέω (eleéō) was understood an action done to alleviate the burden that had befallen another person. ἐλεέω (eleéō) responded to what was judged a lack of some element necessary for life, beginning on a physical level with water then moving on to food and shelter. It became clearer when this pointed to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Those who have no food, no companionship, no clothing do not want a sentiment or a feeling. People in those situations want food, companionship and clothing – to name only a few. People who are in need of forgiveness, comfort or prayer do not want ‘nice thoughts’ or a good intentions – they need forgiveness, comfort and prayer. It is the obligation of the disciple of Jesus to do all in his/her power to make it happen to the best of his/her grace-initiated and grace-assisted abilities. As far as Jesus is concerned, eternal life hangs in the balance – a point Archbishop Charles Chaput made bluntly in an interview when asked if there would be cutbacks on services to the poor: “If we don’t love the poor, and do all we can to improve their lot, we're going to go to Hell!”
Thus by the time of Jesus’ Public Ministry, ἐλεέω (eleéō) was understood an action done to alleviate the burden that had befallen another person. ἐλεέω (eleéō) responded to what was judged a lack of some element necessary for life, beginning on a physical level with water then moving on to food and shelter. It became clearer when this pointed to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Those who have no food, no companionship, no clothing do not want a sentiment or a feeling. People in those situations want food, companionship and clothing – to name only a few. People who are in need of forgiveness, comfort or prayer do not want ‘nice thoughts’ or a good intentions – they need forgiveness, comfort and prayer. It is the obligation of the disciple of Jesus to do all in his/her power to make it happen to the best of his/her grace-initiated and grace-assisted abilities. As far as Jesus is concerned, eternal life hangs in the balance – a point Archbishop Charles Chaput made bluntly in an interview when asked if there would be cutbacks on services to the poor: “If we don’t love the poor, and do all we can to improve their lot, we're going to go to Hell!”
So what did the 10 lepers want when they cried out to Jesus? No doubt, each of them wanted their skin cleansed and healed, just ask anyone with any type of skin affliction - it’s a ‘no-brainer.’ Yet Jesus knew they needed more – they needed a connection with Him (the Gift of Faith) which one of them was able to recognize because he was thankful.
Podcast featuring an excerpt from Saint Caesarius of Arles’
Sermon 129: On Holy Elisha and his servant Gehazi —
Sermon 129: On Holy Elisha and his servant Gehazi —
