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Call the Midwife has been on the television again. In this week’s episode one of the former midwives has returned to the convent as a nun. Trixie is still struggling with the bottle having told curate Tom that she isn’t good enough for him. Doctor Patrick’s struggle is with shell shock from his time in the war. He ends up in bed while his wife takes over the running of the surgery. Meanwhile Barbara, the newest midwife in the team, spots a pregnant Sylheti (Bengali) lady who cannot speak English. Barbara communicates with the lady initially through her son, but eventually tracks down a local who speaks Sylheti. When the Sylheti lady contracts diphtheria Doctor Patrick comes to the rescue, having been snapped out of his shell shock by the many good wishes, cards and gifts from his patients.
Before her encounter with diphtheria the Sylheti lady comes to the convent with a gift of homemade samosas for midwife Barbara. This gift is the only way the lady can express gratitude not just for the medical care, but also for the compassionate friendship shown by Barbara.
Compassion is a theme that runs strongly through each episode of Call the Midwife. It is evident in the attitude of the nuns, the other nursing staff, the doctor, the curate, the local police sergeant, and even Fred the handyman. The effects of compassion on its recipients are not only life-changing, they are often also life saving. If Barbara had not cared for a lonely foreigner who spoke no English, then the Sylheti lady would have died.
The Greek word used where the Bible mentions the compassion shown or described by Jesus is splagchnizomai. This is defined in Strong’s as:
“From splanxna, ‘the inward parts,’ especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These gradually came to denote the seat of the affections.”
Splagchnizomai is a compassion that wells up in the innermost part of Jesus’ being. It translates into forgiveness, healing, feeding of physical and spiritual hunger, and restoration. Surely the world would be a better place if we could all simply follow the example set by Jesus. Everyone needs compassion.
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:30-34 NIV)
Ebs and Flows... 
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
Compassion is truly one of the better qualities of man David—and it always so heartening to our senses when we see or experience it—even if it is demonstrated on a favorite tv program—it speaks to something deep within us all—to a place that finds our connection from the created to the Creator—in this day and time, when we witness so many heartless acts, especially those horrific acts as seen on the news of merciless killings and beheadings–the coldness reaches into a certain level within each of us, the viewer, leaving us at a loss in the face of the epitome of the opposite of compassion, that of the banal fulfillment of evil and self— I often think it is because we live in such a time when so many folks have grown inward, full of the desires of self, with little to no regard to their fellow man and when groups out there are so bent on death that the mere simple act of someone demonstrating kindness and compassion becomes a deep balm to our souls—thank you for reminding us all of this most important and often sadly waning trait—
Hugs to you this wonderful new week–
julie
David said:
Thank you Julie. Compassion was on my mind all last week. It featured in our morning service yesterday, and it is in every episode of Call the Midwife. I find myself increasingly challenged particularly, as you say, when we are surrounded by such evil and madness. The murders in Libya and Denmark over the weekend are shocking, and my heart goes out to the bereaved families.
Blessings to you too for the week ahead. We have half-term break here so John is home all week. Next week I will be in the Emerald Isle again.
David
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
I totally agree David—compassion and forgiveness is so hard given the events which unfold on this fragile world of pure—I’ve written tomorrow’s post already with the latest beheadings of the Egyptian Coptic Christians in mind. . .
I know John is happy for the break. We observed President’s day today, so the schools here were out—Abby was certainly happy 🙂
You scope out Ireland for me—I’m really starting to get excited—purchasing some shoes and new jacket just for Ireland 🙂
Hugs to you David—Julie
David said:
It will be the grand tour next week Julie! Starting in Dublin, then Galway, Limerick and Cork. I have to locations to audit each day plus a meeting one evening. It is going to be a busy week.
Anthony Baker said:
The hardest part is “everyone.” I know of 21 men with knives…
David said:
I’m not sure the religion of the 21 has any understanding of compassion Anthony. But perhaps the hardest part of compassion is all of us. There are times when I am challenged by my lack of compassion. Especially towards idiots.