Matthew 9:32-37

In today’s Gospel reading there is a very sharp contrast between the reaction of the ordinary people and that of the Pharisees. The people respond with amazement at the miracle Jesus has just performed in front of them; the Pharisees respond with skepticism. The people said ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’; the Pharisees shouted, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’ What different ways to respond! It shows how people react in very different ways to the very same reality. As Christians we are indeed asked to react in a different way to events around us: to try to see the good in people or to recognise the injustices in situations.

It is always easier for us to focus on the negative and be skeptical, just like the Pharisees. We too often focus on what is missing, on what should have happened, on a small thing that’s gone wrong, etc… our hearts can be more attuned to focussing on the negative instead of the positive. Different reactions and feelings blend into one another.

Our painting by Keith Tyson depicts different coloured paints flowing and blending into one another. The artist applies the enamelled paints to an aluminium surface and lets nature do its work. The artist as such has minimal involvement into the final look of the painting: all the paints either blend with the others or react to them. With our spiritual lives however, Jesus prompts us not to let things just blend or merge with one another. We have to be clear about seeing the good in others. We need something of the Lord’s generous way of seeing, especially in these times when negative attitudes are pushed so much to the fore.