July 09 – Tuesday – Some Marvel, few criticise, and we move on - Wilson SVD
Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time
Hosea 8: 4-7, 11-13; Matthew 9: 32-38
A man was brought to Jesus as a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’One event, two reactions. Some marvelled, some blamed, and Jesus moved on. The crowd's attitude was amazement and wonder, while the attitude of the Pharisees was malicious hatred. The fact is, what the eye sees and lips speak depends upon what the heart feels. The crowd look on Jesus with wonder, they rejoiced at the good works of Jesus. They celebrated the change in the man from whom the devil was cast out.
The Pharisees were creative in accusing Jesus. They said Jesus casts out demons by the prince of demons. This is an illogical argument. If Jesus controls the prince of demons, is he the king of demons? Pharisees choose not to praise Jesus for his good deeds and accuse him of having a hidden agenda. They consciously attempt to destroy his image among the people. They were driven by jealousy, fear, pride and prejudice.
Jesus’ response: Whatever, praise, wonder or criticism, Jesus moved on with his mission of teaching, healing and building human communities. Jesus did not stop to respond either to the crowd nor to the pharisees. Jesus moved on and so, continues to move the world. In our life not everyone responds in the same way to us. Some respond, some react, and some go silent. If it had happened to Jesus, it will surely happen to us as well. Whatever, we need to move on.
Our Takeaway
1. Fact of life; some marvel, few criticise, and we need to move on, we have a long way to go and many more to cross over. There is no need to respond to everyone along the way.
2. Our energy multiplies when used to appreciate and encourage the goodness in others.
3. Life waits for nobody, life does not wait for anyone’s approval, no matter what, keep pushing ahead otherwise, the world will move on, and we will be behind stuck to praises and criticisms. Jesus is the best example for us.
Wilson SVD
Divine Word Missionary
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