Friends in Christian Mission Hospitals- 6

Letter-6

Dear Friends,

Greetings and good wishes as you make a difference through your being and doing! Anna and I remember and want to stay in touch with you because you are in places and responsibilities where you ’leaven’ the situation with your goodness and mindfulness. 

I happened to view the above painting in the web page, The Spirit of Justice by Daniel Maclise painted in 1850, on display in the Auckland Art Gallery. It was referred to by Irshad Rashid, in his article, ‘From behind the veil’ in The Hindu magazine section on page 8 of 24 May 2020. This article was about the ‘rationality of justice’.

There are several commentaries available on this painting. The painter was commissioned to create murals in the House of Lords, London on the theme, ‘Justice and Chivalry’ when it was rebuilt between 1834 and 1850. 

This painting corresponds to the same season when the painter was occupied with justice issues. This painting in my reflection portrays prince, princess, warrior, priest, ruler, teacher, arbitrator, prisoner, widow with her children, slave, master, etc. In the centre is the portrait of a tall person with a balance in equilibrium. The background is a mansion of opulence and affluence, which to me is the symbol of prosperity in to which the rulers of the world are lost. All of humanity is represented in this painting. 

The painting reminds us of  the  prophecy in Isaiah 11:4-5, ‘But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth… also righteousness will be the belt about His loins and faithfulness the belt about His waist’. The balance in the hand of the central figure in this painting alludes to this call to live justly and soberly, mindful of others in our midst, struggling with the burdens they are made to carry.

After reflecting on this painting, I turned to the newspaper. I found myself utterly confused and perplexed as well us hopeful, looking at the pictures in the Times of India of 24 May, 2020  

On the left above is a photo of a migrant family with their earthly possessions walking along the rail line to reach home. A journey with all the pain of loss, grief uncertainty about their future! Do they walk into life or to the perils of the journey is anybody's guess!

On the other picture on the right is a team of Health care professionals in a tribal area conducting house to house visit, when senior citizens are banned from going out of their home due to restrictions imposed due to COVID 19m pandemic. The scene gives us some comfort of the humane spirit towards those who are marginalised and made to feel alienated!

What sustians all of us is the hope that Daniel Maclise portrayed through his paimitng in 1850. There is an assurance of fairness and justice. This is yet to be a relaity!

Each of you is a missionary in your place to ‘hasten the arrival of this reality of justice’! When you ‘reduce’ or deny your conveniences to ‘give away as much as you can’ for expressing this justice of love, I hope you would protect yourselves from exhaustion as the journey seems to be a long haul! 

We live at a time our neighbours need us most. At the same time to support each other in our network of mission hospitals in whatever way we can, because we protect each other from the 'weariness that sets in while doing good'!

Anna and I carry you in our hearts and send you our warm regards,

M.C.Mathew, 24.5.2020