Do you remember the New Testament reading from Mark (Mark 10:17-31) where Jesus says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God?" Well, did you know that there was in Jesus' time an actual Eye of the Needle passageway in Jerusalem where loaded camels had to be unloaded in order to get through? This changes the meaning, doesn't it?
Knowing the context can often inform us of meaning. But, they should inform our compassion, not our judgment. Without knowing the full story, which is always rare, I know I am too often quick to judge. But, realizing there is context I am unaware of can inform my compassion. With so many opportunities to judge quickly, may we all realize that there is so much we do not know. And that the better response given this realization is compassion. For ourselves and others.
