Today's Gospel in Art: Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages

The Miracles of Jesus Christ 2019 © Jesse the MedievalMapmaker

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4th December 2021 - Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said 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.'

He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: 'Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.'

Reflection on the Hand-drawn map

Today's Gospel reading starts with Jesus healing and performing miracles, doing 'a tour through all the towns and villages'. Jesus travelled extensively during his three years of ministry. Hence it is good to look at a map sometimes, to reflect on His extensive travels. Our map is by a young mapmaker called Jesse, based in Endeavour, Wisconsin, USA. It is a simple yet very clear artistic illustration of where Jesus' main miracles were performed. The map is artistic yet informative.

We often read in the Gospels that Jesus healed people, then slept, got up, moved to the next village, healed some more, etc… there is a rhythm we see in Jesus' life. But, these readings often state as well that He went first to a solitary place to pray and be with His Father. Traveling and praying went hand in hand. Traveling couldn't happen without prayer. So alongside the thread of traveling, runs the thread of prayer in Jesus' life.

Imagine just for one minute what it would be like to walk with Jesus to all these places. We would be in the presence of His energy, His sense of mission, His goals, His teachings, his miracles… but above all we would be walking beside Him as a close friend. He would talk to each of us with love, compassion, forgiveness and an amazing sense of joy. Just imagine travelling with Him…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1011
Christian Art - www.christian.art/