The Man with the Goat on a Leash

Today on our morning walk, as we arrived at the crossroads, we noticed a strange sight approaching us, a man with what seemed like a young goat on a leash. We waited to cross the road. As he arrived abreast of us, noticing our curiosity, he remarked ‘yes, if people can walk their dogs, then I can walk my goat, at least it can give me milk’.

As we continued on I thought of this week’s Gospel Mark 3: 1-6 and Jesus’ challenge to the Pharisees on holding on to tradition instead of practicing compassion and mercy. They resented Jesus healing the man with the withered hand on the sabbath, since the sabbath was a day of rest.

Our new aspiring urban shepherd, considering the hard economic times had ventured to buck tradition for utility, ensuring he had nourishing goat’s milk for him and his family.

The incident made me think of how tradition and culture can sometimes go against compassion and mercy. In our formation as deacons we were told we must be courageous to transform culture.

We were reminded that the essence of our faith calls us to act out of love and necessity, rather than rigid adherence to convention. This man with his goat symbolized a break from societal norms in favor of practicality and sustenance. It was a small act of defiance, yet it spoke volumes about the need to prioritize human well-being over cultural expectations.

Just as Jesus prioritized healing over the Sabbath laws, our task is to recognize when tradition hinders rather than helps, and to have the courage to make compassionate choices. In doing so, we follow a higher calling, one that embraces change for the betterment of all.

The simple directive of Jesus to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stretch out your hand’ speaks to us on so many levels. On a literal level, it was a call for the man with the withered hand to take a step of faith, to trust in Jesus' power to heal. It was an invitation to move beyond his physical limitations and experience restoration.

Symbolically, it represents a call to action for all of us, urging us to reach beyond our comfort zones and extend ourselves to others. It challenges us to be vulnerable, to acknowledge our own areas of need, and to trust in the transformative power of faith and compassion. Moreover, it encourages us to be agents of healing in our communities, to extend our hands to those who are suffering, marginalized, or in need of support.

This directive is a reminder that true faith is active and engaged, constantly seeking to uplift and restore those around us. In every act of stretching out our hands, we participate in the ongoing work of healing and renewal that Jesus initiated.

As I reflect on the man with the goat on the leash, I recognize a modern-day example of stretching out one's hand in faith and necessity. His unconventional choice challenges us to consider how we can break free from restrictive traditions and embrace actions that prioritize compassion and practicality.