Matthew 11:16-19
John came without eating
and drinking and they accused him of being possessed, and here comes Jesus, who
eats and drinks and was accused a glutton, drunkard and friend of tax
collectors.
The gospel reading from
Matthew 11:16-19 echoes the same attitudes that sometimes still comes up in us,
the tendency to look at only at what is wrong instead of looking what the other
has done right. Just because we always see a certain person doing the same old
bad habits, we already judge him to the point that when he does good things, we
still find fault in what he has done.
It is not so much about
brushing aside the wrongs, but more about acknowledging the good things the
person has done.
The reading from Isaiah 48:17-19, if paraphrased today, says, “I am the God who had
taught you for your own good and lead you to the place I have planned for you.
If only you had listened to my instructions, you could have been fulfilling
your dreams that I dreamed for you as well. If only you had just listened to
me, but you choose to focus on others and what they are doing instead of
focusing on me. You could have lived a full satisfying life, with a family that
will keep your name long before you are gone.”
We might as well take note of this message before we ourselves will say
“If only…” Before it’s too late, let us focus on what is good in others and
encourage them to continue doing the same, instead of focusing on their faults
and discouraging them. Let us build one another instead of tearing apart. There are so many things to do than just faultfinding.
by aats
I agree. Recognizing good behavior encourages others to continue those behaviors. Appreciation for the good in people does wonders in lifting people's spirit.
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