Compassion

In the Midrash, Shemot Rabbah (2:2) tells the following parable regarding Moses and the exodus story. (You might notice similarities between this story and the story of the lost sheep as told by Jesus)

"The Holy One tested Moses by means of the flock, as our rabbis explained: when Moshe rabbenu (Moses our teacher) teacher was tending Jethro’s flock in the wilderness, a lamb scampered off and Moses followed it until it approached a shelter under a rock. As the lamb reached the shelter, it came upon a pool of water and stopped to drink. When Moses caught up with it he said, “I did not know that you ran away because you were thirsty. Now you must be tired.” So he hoisted the lamb on his shoulder and started walking back with it. The Holy One then said: Because you showed such compassion in tending the flock of a mortal, as you live, you shall become shepherd of Israel, the flock that is Mine."

I was taken aback by the parable because of its simplistic beauty. My mind drew lines between leadership and pastoral care.

Often we are so focused on preaching/or saying the right thing that we try to give the lamb more water when it's already had its fill. Often we are trying to lead lamb to the water and do not realise it's already there. We miss that the lamb tiredness and the most compassionate thing is to acknowledge it. We cannot do this if we scold the sheep (which is sadly our first response when someone wanders off). It can only be when we realise the gift in its exploration.

This parable reminds me that central to our calling is deep-rooted compassion.