Through the Eyes of Jesus

AM Psalm 105:1-22 • PM Psalm 105:23-45
Num. 17:1-11 • Rom. 5:1-11 • Matt. 20:17-28

I just finished reading Radical Optimism by Beatrice Bruteau for Theology on Tap. She encouraged us to use meditation to study Jesus, to enter the heart of Jesus, to see situations as Jesus would. I’ve worked with Ignatian prayer before, where you imagine yourself as a character in a gospel story. I had not, however, tried to see gospel stories through Jesus’ eyes and with Jesus’ heart. I’m experimenting with that for today’s reflection. I’m looking specifically at a portion of the assigned gospel from Matthew.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’

I’m asking myself, what is going on in the heart and mind of Jesus? Specifically, how does Jesus view James, John, and their mother? Can I let the eyes of my heart see this scene as Jesus does?

My body-mind doesn’t do well at first. I have judgments about them: “self-serving, who do they think they are?” Then I want explanations: “what need are they trying to meet, what fear is guiding this behavior?” I realize that Jesus sees them with compassionate acceptance; he goes for the heart first, not the behavior. He doesn’t need to know “why?” in order to love them. Then the words of a Buddhist loving-kindness meditation come to mind: “May you be happy; May you be peaceful; May you be healthy; May you live with ease.”

I can offer this as a prayer—wishing the best for James, John, and their mother—without needing to know anything else about them. I can feel my heart soften, and I am much closer to seeing them with the eyes and heart of Jesus.

Written by Cathy Campbell

Cathy is a semi-retired professional counselor. She advocates for marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ people. She makes a joyful sound in the choir.