The cusp of midsummer: a time when many who live, work or study in cities and towns look forward to taking time out from their usual daily routines to enjoy a change of scenery, make new memories, gain fresh perspectives. This Whirlow blog considers urgent new perspectives waiting to be experienced through our imagination and other senses, how these may enable us to see Jesus more clearly, draw closer to him and labour in his harvest. We are invited to respond…
Today’s New Testament reading is from Matthew’s Gospel – a fast paced story, unfolding against a backdrop of mixed public reaction to Christ’s proclamation of the Good News of The Kingdom of Heaven and his astonishing healing ministry in the towns and cities of Israel through which he tours. You can find Chapter 9 here and we paraphrase verses 32 to 34 below:
“Jesus has just restored the sight of two blind men, urging them not to tell anyone about their healing – but as he and his disciples continue on their way, another man is brought to him for healing.
This man is a ‘dumb demoniac’. However, once Jesus has ‘cast out the devil’ the man is suddenly able to speak.
The people are amazed, saying: “nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees say: “It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.””
Let’s pause for a moment to briefly consider the story so far, aware that some of the language used here can be puzzling to our modern senses.
Try to picture the scene: Jesus and his disciples; the small crowd gathered on a hot and dusty summer’s day. If you have never visited the Holy Land, perhaps try to imagine this happening on your own street – even outside your own house.
How might it feel to be this man, or one of the people who knows you well and who has brought you to Jesus for healing? Perhaps it is easier to imagine being a bystander, observing this moment – the sheer amazement!
Try to imagine the reaction of the Pharisees, their suspicion and reluctance to accept this good news, even when it unfolds before their eyes. Have you ever experienced a reluctance to celebrate and share good news, or observed others reacting in this way?
When we witness something amazing or hear some good news, we often experience a natural urge to share this with others. These days, with cameras, mobile phones and other gadgets, it has never been easier to share good news. However, trying to describe a beautiful sunset, for example, without photographic evidence, can sometimes feel tricky – as though there aren’t enough adequate words to truly convey the beauty or miraculous nature of what we have witnessed! Perhaps sharing the everyday miracles that we encounter can also be a little like this: we somehow can’t find the right words to witness to those spiritual fruits and invisible graces received as we journey with Jesus through the landscapes of our lives.
Might our desire to share good news also depend on how closely it impacts on our own day to day lives, or on the lives of those we are close to?
If you like, stay with this first part of the reading; ponder on anything you feel has resonated with you. You might want to ask the Holy Spirit for help in this discernment…
Image of Hitter Hill, Peak District by Tim Hill from Pixabay
The second part of today’s reading is from verses 35-38 of the same chapter in Matthew’s Gospel. You can read it here, and we paraphrase it below:
“Jesus is making a tour through all the towns and villages of the region, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
When Jesus sees the crowds, he feels sorry for them because they are harassed and dejected like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he says to his disciples:
“The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest””
Let’s ponder on this part of the story for a moment: so much is happening in such a short space of time, it can feel as though there’s a real sense of urgency in Jesus’ words and actions here.
Can you picture being in one of these towns or villages in Israel at this time, seeing Jesus – hearing him teach in your synagogue, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom, curing all kinds of diseases and sickness?
What does Jesus look like, sound like? How are people reacting to him? How are you responding to him? Do you feel drawn to ask him for peace and direction in your own life, for someone close to you, or in the wider world?
Perhaps you’d like to thank him for this Good News, for how it is changing your relationships with others and helping you to understand yourself better, knowing that you are loved unconditionally by him and no longer a lost sheep?
Maybe someone you know is struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually at the moment – ‘harassed and dejected’ like these crowds? Are you being called to bring them the Good News of Christ’s kingdom – a renewed sense of meaning and purpose?
In our towns and cities today, there are many harassed and dejected people on the streets, just as there were here in the time of Christ’s earthly ministry. Can you imagine Him gazing at you now – asking you to labour for him in today’s ‘rich harvest’?
You are invited to continue to ponder on anything which has particularly spoken to you from this reflection. Whilst you do so, you might want to listen to this piece of music by John L. Bell