My Polish art teacher recently explained that her native language has a far greater number words than English does. More words mean a greater ability to make our descriptions more exacting. For instance, describing a dark shade of blue, they would have several different words to describe degrees of dark blue, while in English we would probably call all of them “dark blue” and not give much attention to the differences between them. The point is, if we don’t have a word to describe something, we are less likely to even take notice of it.
Similarly, Fr. Mike told a story of a man who did an experiment. He asked another man to look around the room and look for red. The second man looks and then is told to close his eyes. The first man asks, “Name all the blue things.” Despite the room being filled with blue things, the subject could not name any because he had been focused on red.
I know a man who is very critical of the Catholic Church. He finds articles that chronical Catholic clerics and organizations in bad light and shows them to his devout wife in defense of his opinion. He doesn’t seem to be attracted to the countless articles about the great work the Church is doing all around the world helping people who are suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually or the holy men and women that are the hands and feet in that service.
These examples can prove that we only see what we choose to look for. If we want joy, we need to look for it. If we focus on sadness, or misery, or affliction, we will find those and not even notice the joy that is in the room too. If we dwell on anger and regret, we will never achieve contentment. If everywhere we look, we see doubt and fear, we lose all opportunities for hope.
Today is Easter Sunday. Let us look for the joy, peace, and love of Jesus everywhere we go. They are there; just focus.
Scripture: Read Philippians 4:4. What stands out?
Call to Action: Put a note on your bathroom mirror that reads, “What will I focus on today?” Then spend the day looking for the good everywhere you go.
