Breaking the WORD daily

14.02.2012 LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES

2012-02-13T15:48:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to take bread with them for their journey. This is natural and understandable. But the disciples had forgotten the miracles that Jesus had done in front of their eyes. He had fed four thousand and five thousand at two different occasions and they themselves had gathered the leftovers in baskets. And yet they were talking about lack of bread with them.

The disciples were forgetful, lack of understanding, less of comprehension, hard hearted, little remembrance etc. These are the ways in which the disciples are described by Jesus in this story. But this story takes place just after the Pharisees had asked for a sign. The disciples seemed to be like the Pharisees. They too had seen so many healings and miracles and casting out of the demons and yet they are like the Pharisees: men of little faith or no faith and that was the reason why Jesus warned the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 8:14-21

,NaR jdJ rPlu;fis rhLfpwhu;. Vd; ,d;Dk; czuhkYk;> Gupe;Jnfhs;shkYk;> kOq;fpa cs;sj;jpduhAk;> fz;zpUe;Jk; FUlu;fshAk;> fhjpUe;Jk; nrtplu;fshAk; ,Uf;fpwPu;fs; vd;W tpdTfpwhu;. ,J gupNrau;fspd; kdepiyia xj;jJ. ,J ek;gpf;if ,y;yhjtupd; kdepiy. vdNtjhd; gupNrau; Gspg;G khitf;Fwpj;J ftdkhapUf;fr; nrhy;Yfpwhu;.

13.02.2012 SIGN

2012-02-13T07:58:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 8:11-13

Jesus has been working many miracles. The whole nation is talking about it. People are gathering around him in great crowds. The Pharisees are worried about it. They wanted to put an end to this following. And the people who saw him as a miracle worker began to believe him to be a prophet and some even considered him as the son of God. So they came to challenge him.

The Pharisees have seen many false prophets and many false leaders who have taken the people away from them for a period of time. They wanted to verify this man as well. Was he also one of such false teacher? They asked him for a sign. Jesus refused to give them instead he moved away from them. Already when he was tempted by the Devil (Luke 4: 12) he had said: You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. Now the same message is given to men.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 8:11-13

gupNrau;fs; ,NaRit Nrhjpj;jhu;fs;. milahsq;fs; Nfl;lhu;fs;. mtu;fs; NaRitAk; kw;w Nghyp ,iwthf;fpdu;fs; Nghy; fUjp mtuplk; milahsq;fs; vjpu;ghu;j;jhu;fs;. ,NaR flTspd; ty;yikapdhy; GJikfs; nra;jhu; flTsplk; kd;whb GJikfis ngw;Wj;je;jhu; (Nahthd; 11: 41). mtu; flTis Nrhjpf;f tpUk;gtpy;iy mtu; topahf kw;wtu;fs; flTis Nrhjpg;gijAk; tpUk;gtpy;iy. (Yhf;fh 4:12)

12.02.2012 HEALING

2012-02-11T22:00:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 1:40-45

Leper comes to Jesus and asks him to clean him of his disease. Jesus wanted to heal him but much more than that he wanted to relate to him. He wanted to be with him; he wanted to identify himself with him. He wanted to be one with him and that is the reason he touched him. Only after doing this gesture of touching him he healed him. He made the leper feel at home with him before healing him.

Jesus wanted this gesture to remain personal and not to announce to the others. The reason was that Jesus already had a crowd of people following him. Jesus could not travel openly in public. Could this be that Jesus did not want a crowd rather he wanted individuals to follow him (personal following and not a crowd following him). He wanted personal attachment and personal following than a crowd.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 1:40-45

,NaR me;j njhONehahspia njhl;L Fzg;gLj;jpdhu;. mtiu njhLtjd; topahf mtid jd;NdhL xd;WgLj;Jfpwhu;. mtu;fspilNa cs;s ,ilntspia mfw;Wfpwhu;. kf;fspilNa cs;s ,ilntspjhd; tpahjpf;F fhuzk;. Tpahjpapd; ntspg;ghLk; ,ilntspjhd;. ,NaR ,ilntspia mfw;wpaTld; tpahjp FzkilfpwJ.

11.02.2012 MIRACLE

2012-02-10T21:27:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 8:1-10

The people who came to listen to him were many. They were with him for three days. They were in a deserted place. And the people were hungry and without eating for days and they would faint if they continue to do so. The situation which is presented by the author is quite frightening. In fact the disciples were frightened and worried. This is seen in the reaction of the disciples.

Jesus asked the disciples to do something about the situation. They revealed their inability. Even in their inability and in their difficulty Jesus asked about what they have in their possession. From the little they have Jesus could do mighty acts. Jesus needs the little we have to do greater things. The disciples' inability and lack of things in their possession when compensated by their willingness to share adds up to a miracle in the hands of Jesus.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 8:1-10

kf;fs; $l;lk; ,NaRit gpd;njhlu;e;jJ. kf;fs; $l;lk; Neuj;ij nghUl;gLj;jtpy;iy> ,lj;ij nghUl;gLj;jtpy;iy> czit Njltpy;iy> ,NaRNt NghJk; vd;W ,Ue;jhu;fs;. ,NaR mtu;fisg;gw;wp epidf;fpwhu;. kf;fSf;F cjt rPlu;fspd; ,ayhikNahL mtu;fspd; rpwpa cjtpia gad;gLj;jp mUk;ngUk; Gjikia nra;fpd;whu;. jd;Dila ,ayhik czu;e;j rPld; jd;dplk; cs;sij nfhLf;Fk; NghJ ,iwtd; GJikia epfo;j;Jfpwhu;.

10.02.2012 JESUS WENT TO THE PEOPLE

2012-02-09T23:16:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 7:31-37

Jesus is on the move. He moves from Galilee to Tyre and from there to Sidon and then again Decapolis and on. He is not a preacher from the chair; he does not reside in a place expecting people to come to him. Rather he moves out to meet the people in their location. He is on the street; he is on the way side; he is found here the people are.

As he moves around he heals the sick. Here in this healing miracle Jesus is presented as being very close to the person who is healed. He touches him and takes him alone away from the crowd etc. Personal care and personal touch of Jesus is revealed in this story. By saying to the individual not to spread this event to others, Jesus seems to imply that this should be personal and not public.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 7:31-37

,NaR xNu ,lj;jpy; ,Ue;Jnfhz;L gzpnra;atpy;iy. mtu; gy ,lq;fSf;Fk; gazpf;fpwhu;. kf;fisj; Njbr;nry;fpwhu;. kf;fs; jd;idj;Njb tuNtz;Lk; vd;W vjpu;ghu;f;ftpy;iy. mtUila gzpfSk; NritfSk; jdpkdpj (gpwu;) eyDf;Nf. mJ xU nghJ nra;jp my;y.

09.02.2012 FAITH

2012-02-08T15:57:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 7:24-30

Jesus anted to go about unrecognized. So he moved to a place where no one will know him and disturb him. The author wanted to show that even if Jesus wanted to be unnoticed he could do so. His fame has reached even to the foreign land and even the people who were of non Jewish faith recognized him and approached him for assistance.

Jesus seemed to have communicated that he had come to serve the people of Jewish faith. And this was the reason why he said to the lady that the children should be fed first. And it appeared that he considered the people of the other faith as dogs (insulting). In the bible dogs represent animals that go back to its own vomit (2 Pet 2:22). Probably Jesus was meaning that this lady would go back to practice her own religion after the miracle. But when the woman expressed her faith Jesus could only high lighten the faith of the woman.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 7:24-30

,NaR jiykiwthf ,Uf;f tpUk;gpdhYk; mtuhy; ,aytpy;iy fhuzk; mtuJ Gfo; vq;Fk; gutp ,Ue;jJ. jdJ gzp ,];uhNay; kf;fSf;Fj;jhd; vd;W mtu; Vw;Wf;nfhz;lhYk; tpRthrk; ,Uf;Fk; ,lj;jpy; mtuhy; kWf;f Kbatpy;iy. ,NaRtpd; tho;Tf;Fk; Nghjidf;Fk; tpRthrk; mbj;jskhf ,Uf;fpwJ.

08.02.2012 JESUS ATTITUDE

2012-02-08T15:00:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 7:14-23

The disciples themselves did not understand the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is surprised at their lack of understanding. Having been called by him; and having been with him; and having seen his activities and miracles were not sufficient for the disciples. They were blind to the mind of Jesus. The disciples saw the externals of the life of Jesus but the intentions of Jesus were not understood by them.

Even in the physical body of a person Jesus sees tow types of activities or two types of organs and their respective activities. Stomach and stomach related activities are not of major concern. Whereas heart and heart related activities of a person is very important and it is this that makes a man clean or unclean.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 7:14-23

,NaRtpd; rPlu;fs;$l ,NaRit Gupe;J nfhs;stpy;iy. rPlu;fs;$l cly;rhu;e;j, cyFrhu;e;j rpe;jidfis nfhz;bUf;fpwhu;fs;. ,NaRtpd; rpe;jidfs; kWcyF rhu;e;j> ,iwahl;rp rhu;e;j> ,iwrhu;e;j rpe;jidfshf ,Uf;fpd;wd. ,ijj;jhd; gTy; mbfshu; ",NaRtpd; kdepiyia ngw;Wf;nfhs;Sq;fs; vd;W Nghjpg;ghu;.

07.02.2012 GIFTED TO GOD

2012-02-08T14:57:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 7:1-13

The quotation from Prophet Isaiah is very strong but apt for the occasion. The Pharisees were criticising the disciples regarding the external cleanliness. External cleanliness was only a sign of the purity that should be there among the people. Internal purity was an indication of the people belonging to God. A person was made up of both internal and external behaviours. They should be inter-related and not one substituting the other.

Pharisees were happy with the external practices and they thought to themselves that following the external rules and the human rules were sufficient signs of internal purity. Jesus in stead spoke of the internal purity. It is this that a makes a man pure in front of the other. The Pharisees even nullified the divine law by practicing the traditional rules.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 7:1-13

,iwr;rl;lkh kdpj kugh ,jpy; vJ jiyahdJ? gupNrau;fs; gof;f tof;fq;fis Kd;itf;fpwhu;fs;. mJkl;Lky;y gof;ftof;fq;fspdhy; ,iwr;rl;lj;ij kwf;fbj;jhu;fs;> jha; je;ijaUf;F nra;aNtz;ba flikia (,iwr;rl;lk;) khw;wp mtu;fSf;Fr;nra;a Ntz;ba cjtpia "nfhu;ghd;" (mu;g;gzpf;fg;gl;L tpl;lJ) vd;W nrhy;yptpl;lhy; jha; je;ijaiu Ngzp ftdpf;f Njit ,y;iy. ,t;thW flTs; ngaiur; nrhy;yp flikia (flTs; je;j) kwe;jhu;fs;.

06.02.2012 JESUS THE HEALER

2012-02-08T14:54:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 6: 53-56

Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee quite a few times. The authors specifically say that. Many things happen in around the Sea of Galilee. The synoptic gospels speak about the Sea of Galilee in relation to Jesus' activities. Jesus feeds the crowd near the sea; the faith of the disciples is tested in the sea. Peter's little faith is revealed in the Sea of Galilee. Calling of the disciples is near the sea of Galilee. Most of the preaching is done near the sea.

As soon as people recognized him they ran to bring the sick and the suffering. He was recognized as a healer rather any other. Healing ministry of Jesus was probably the main activity of Jesus or the activity that made him known. Indirectly this also shows the need of the people at that time. Jesus read the signs of the times and responded accordingly.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 6: 53-56

,NaRtpd; Kf;fpakhd nray;fs; fypNya flNyuj;jpy; elf;fpd;wd. mUk;nray;fs; (cztspj;jy;> rPlu;fspd; tpRthrj;ij jplg;gLj;Jjy;> ,aw;if GJikfs;> rPlu;fis mioj;jy;) ,e;j fliy Rw;wp elf;fpd;wd. kf;fSk; mtiu flyUfpy; fz;L Gupe;Jnfhs;fpwhu;fs;. mtiu Fzkspg;gtuhf Gupe;Jnfhs;fpwhu;fs;.

05.02.2012 EFFECT OF PRAYER

2012-02-04T10:33:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 1:29-39

It was a Sabbath day. He has just completed his first day ministry according to Mark's Gospel. (Previous to this he had called the first disciples). His ministry is described as preaching with authority and casting out the unclean spirits. People wondered at his teaching and his fame went round whole of Galilee. He had done just one teaching (preaching) and one healing and the news is spread abroad. This is Mark's way of writing.

On the same day (Sabbath) he comes to the house of Simon Peter and healed his mother-in-law. Another miracle is done on the Sabbath day. Controversy has not picked up yet. How is it possible? The news has spread widely yet the controversy has not come out. Again on the same day, by evening, there are more healings. Crowd is building up around Jesus. But, on the first day of the week (the day after Sabbath) Jesus goes out alone to meet the Lord God and to pray. Jesus leaves the crowd behind he does not carry the crowd behind him. (This could be the effect of prayer = he carries the Lord God with him and not the crowd).

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 1:29-39

,d;iwa thrfk; ,NaRtpd; Kjy;ehs; gzpiag;gw;wp NgRfpwJ. Xa;Tehspy;jhd; gzpia Kjd;Kjypy; Jtq;Ffpwhu; (khw;F ew;nra;jpapy;). md;W Ngia Xl;Lfpwhu;. rPNkhdpd; khkpahiu Fzkhf;Ffpwhu;. khiyapy; gyiuAk; Fzkhf;Ffpwhu;. vjpu;g;G ,d;Dk; Jtq;ftpy;iy. Mdhy; $l;lk; mtu; gpd;Nd. mtu; kf;fis tpl;Ltpl;L jdpNa nrgpf;fpwhu;. n[gj;jpd; gad;! ,iwtid Kd;itj;J GJ kf;fis vjpu;nfhs;sr; nry;Yfpwhu;.

04.02.2012 MISSION INTEREST

2012-02-04T07:48:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 6: 30-34

The disciples come back after their ministry of preaching and working the kingdom. They cane and narrated to Jesus all what they had done. Jesus was not showing any interest in their narration. He wanted them to be alone and rest a while. He was not interested in the events of the past. He wanted them to rest so that they could be ready for the future events. They have to learn much more from the feeding of the five thousand and the walking on the water.

Also Jesus wanted them to know that they people were interested in his activities. Jesus' preaching and doing miracles attracted the crowd so much they were clinging to his words and they wanted to touch him or be touched by him. This was the reason why they ran ahead of him to the other side of the river and waited for him. Missionary should create interest in the people.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 6:30-34

rPlu;fs; ,NaRtplk; te;J ele;jtw;iw vy;yhk; vLj;Jr; nrhy;Yk;NghJ ,NaR ve;jtpj Mu;tKk; fhl;ltpy;iy. xUNtis ele;jijg; gw;wp Ngr tpUk;gtpy;iy NghYk;. elf;ftpUg;gJ vd;d? kf;fs mtiu Njb Xb tUfpwhu;fs;. mtuJ thu;ijapd; NkYk; mtuJ nray;fs kPJk; mt;tsT Mu;tj;ij cz;lhf;fpapUf;fpwhu;. mNjNghy; rPlDk; kf;fsplk; Mu;tj;ij cz;lhf;f Ntz;Lk;.

03.02.2012 HEROD

2012-02-01T15:26:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 6:14-29

This story presents some interesting beliefs of the people of the time of Jesus. They are: they believed in the resurrection; they believed in the miraculous power of the risen people; they believed in the return of Elijah; they believed in the arrival of a great prophet. All these beliefs and many more like these made up the culture of the people and some these beliefs also formed part of the religion.

But their way of life often did not reflect these beliefs. Herod is an example for this. He thought that he could live his moral life as he wished or as it pleased him. He refused to listen to persons who revealed the mind of God to him. He was ready to annihilate the person who objected to his personal way of life which went against the society and social practices and moral principles. Whatever pleased him was rewarded that what was right and just. He was ready to sacrifice anything for the sack of his pleasure.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 6:14-29

VNuhJ murd; me;j fhyj;jpy; tho;e;j kf;fspd; ek;gpf;iffSf;Fk; tho;f;if KiwfSf;Fk; xU vLj;Jf;fhl;lha; ,Uf;fpwhd;. Capu;gpy; ek;gpf;if itj;jpUe;jhd;@ GJikfspy; ek;gpf;if itj;jpUe;jhd;@ vypahtpd; tUifapy; ek;gpf;if itj;jpUe;jhd;@ ,iwthf;fpdu; tUifapy; ek;gpf;if itj;jpUe;jhd;@ Mdhy; ,e;j ek;gpf;iffs; mtd; tho;tpy; njd;gltpy;iy. jd; tpUg;gjpw;Nfw;g tho;e;jhd;. Jd; kfpo;r;rpf;fhf gpwiu mopj;J> vijAk; tpl;LnfhLj;J tho;e;jhd;.

02.02.2012 PRESENTATION

2012-02-01T14:54:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 2:22-40

Jesus is presented in the temple as the law required. Mary and Joseph were faithful in observing the demands of the law. This is what they taught Jesus to do. Jesus himself later on fulfilled the law and expected his disciples also to observe the law. He objected only when the law went against the person. The person was more important for Jesus than the law. Law itself was not anything negative.

Simeon and Anna were the temple ministers and they welcomed Jesus. Indirectly the author was trying to say that the temple or the temple ministers had anything against Jesus. In fact they prophesied about Jesus saying that his birth was the fulfilment of the expectation of the people of Israel and his birth was the fulfilment of the promise of God. It is a double fulfilment.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: Y}f;fh 2:22-40

,NaRtpd; gpwg;G kf;fspd; vjpu;ghu;g;Gfspd; epiwT. mtUila gpwg;G ,iwtdpd; thf;FWjpapd; epiwT. rpkpNahDk; md;dhTk; ,ijj;jhd; thf;Fiuj;jhu;fs;. ,J xUGwkpUf;f kupahTk; NahNrg;Gk; ,iwr;rl;lj;ijAk; xOq;FfisAk; filgpbg;gtu;fshf rpj;jupf;fg;gLfpwhu;fs;.

01.02.2012 FAITHLESSNESS

2012-02-01T08:29:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 6:1-6

Jesus is back in his own home town. He does the normal regular thing as usual. He visits the synagogue on Sabbath. He preaches in the synagogue. All these were the normal activities of Jesus. But the content of his preaching were different. People were surprised at his preaching. They could not accept his new preaching and the content of his new preaching.

People usually think of others as they should be. They expect everyone to fit into a frame. Persons of a particular place and time behave in a fixed and expected way. If by chance one behaves differently then people wonder at his ways. This is what happens in the case of Jesus. Relatives and friends expect Jesus to behave according to their expectations but he did not do so and hence they fail to understand him.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 6:1-6

xt;nthU CUf;Fk; xU fyhr;rhuk; ,Uf;fpwJ> xU eilKiw> xU topKiw ,Uf;fpwJ. Vy;yhUk; Cu;top elf;fNtz;Lk; vd;gNj vjpu;ghu;Gk; $l. ,NaRTk; mt;thNw tho;fpwhu;. Mdhy; mtUila NghjidfSk; nray;ghLfSk; tpj;jpahrkhf ,Uf;fpwJ. Mtu;fshy; ,ij Vw;Wf;nfhs;s Kbatpy;iy. re;Njfk;. gad; tpRthrkpd;ik. mjdhy; ,NaR mq;F Nghjpf;fTk; ,aytpy;iy. cldpUg;gtiu ek;gNtz;Lk;.

31.01.2012 FAITH

2012-02-01T07:43:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 5:21-43

Jesus was invited by Jairus to visit house to heal her daughter who was dying. Jesus obliged him. He made his move to go to his house to heal her daughter. Jesus always responded to the faith of the people whoever be it. It could be a man of honour or a leper, or a blind man. Interestingly among the crowd there was woman who was also suffering and she was a person of faith. Even a silent expression of faith could bring about a healing.

Here we see a miracle within a miracle. Jesus is on his way to do a miracle but while on his way something happens which, it seems that even a Jesus is unaware. Jesus came to know of it only after it had taken place. Faith can make miracles happen to people. Faith can also bring about miracle without the knowledge of the person. What is important is the fiath.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 5:21-43

,iwtd;Nky; nfhz;Ls;s ek;gpf;if (tpRthrk;) GJikfis epfor;nra;Ak;. GJikfs; epfOk;NghJ ,NaRTf;Nf njupatpy;iy NghYk;. ,NaRit re;jpf;fhkYk;> mtuplk; kd;whlhkYk; GJikfs; epfo;fpd;wd. Mrpupau; ek;gpf;ifia Kd;itf;fpwhu;. ek;gpf;iffs; GJikfis epfo;Jk;.

30.01.2012 DISCIPLE

2012-01-29T09:29:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 5:1-20

Jesus meets this possessed man in a foreign land. This man before meeting Jesus was different but after meeting Jesus he became normal. The description of the man before meeting Jesus is quite interesting. He was dwelling among the tombs (= dead man). He was violent (he attacked others and cut himself with stones). He was without clothes (=animal). Totally he was not like a living human person.

After meeting Jesus, he was clothed; he was in his right mind. He was sitting. (All his violent, animal, dead characters disappeared). He wanted to follow Jesus and be a disciple. Jesus sent him back to his community. Could we say that a normal, human person (who has met Jesus) would want to be a disciple of Jesus? And Jesus' mission was to make man complete and whole and put him back in the community.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 5:1-20

,NaRit re;jpf;Fk;> vjpu;nfhs;Sk; xt;nthUtuplKk; xU khw;wk; ,Uf;Fk;. ,e;j khw;wk; xU epiwthd KOikahd KOkdpj khw;wk;. re;jpg;gjw;F Kd;ghf mtd; kpUfj;ijg;Nghy; (Milapd;wp) ,we;jtdhf (fy;yiufspy;) Kuldhf (rq;fpypfiy cilj;J) kdpjj;ij ,oe;J jdpj;J tho;fpwhd;. ,NaRit re;jpj;j gpwF mtd; xU KO kdpjdhf mku;e;jpUf;fpwhd;> Mil mzpe;jpUf;fpd;whd;> ,NaRit gpd;nry;y tpUk;Gfpwhd;. ,NaR mtid kPz;Lk; rKfj;jpw;Nf mDg;Gfpwhu; rhl;rpahf.

29.01.2012 AUTHORITY

2012-01-28T07:16:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 1:21-28

Jesus' teaching was different from the rest of the religious teachers, and preachers. The listeners found in his teaching something that was different. He taught them with authority. The others taught what they had learned from, whereas Jesus taught from within. This is the indirect way of Mark telling that Jesus is the Word. Jesus spoke from his own experience of the Father for he had come to reveal the Father.

Even the evil spirits recognized him. In fact they recognize him first and even before he commands them to leave they approve of his authority and ask him not to disturb them. Through this the mission of Jesus is also revealed. That is, Jesus has come to reveal the Father and also to overcome the evil or to remove the evil form the lives of the people.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 1:21-28

,NaR mjpfhuj;NjhL Nghjpj;jhu; mjpfhuj;NjhL jPikia vjpu;j;jhu;. jPik (rhj;jhd;) mtiu milahsk; fz;lJ. kdpju;fs; tpae;jhu;fs; gadile;jhu;fs; Mdhy; milahsk; fz;Lnfhs;stpy;iy. ,NaRtpd; gzp je;ijia ntspg;gLj;j mjpYk; rpwg;ghf jd;dpy; (,NaRtpy;) je;ijia ntspg;gLj;j. mNjhL$l jPikia mfw;WtJk; mtuJ gzpahf ,Ue;jJ.

28.01.2012 FAITH

2012-01-27T21:39:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 4:35-41

The story presents two types of people. They are people with no faith or very little faith (the apostles) and people of faith (JESUS). People of no faith are frightened of the nature and its activities. They are not able to understand the nature and they flee for support and help. They are disturbed people. They are also not able to understand the activities of the people of faith.

People of faith (Jesus) are cool about the situation. The situation does not disturb them and they are in control of the situation. Nature and its activities doe not disturb them in anyway. Even, when the nature is active and agitated they are not worried. The nature listens to men of faith and obeys them. Men of faith are like God whom they believe in.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 4:35-41

,iwtd;Nky; ek;gpf;if nfhz;ltu;fs; ,iwtidg;Nghy; nray;fs; nra;thu;fs;. ,aw;if$l mtu;fSf;F gag;gLk; mtu;fSf;F fPo;gbAk;. ,aw;ifia gw;wpNah mjd; nray;fis gw;wpNah mtu;fSf;F ftiy ,y;iy. ek;gpf;ifaw;wtu;fs; cyFf;Fk; gilg;Gf;Fk; ,aw;ifFk; gae;J ftiyg;gl;L tho;thu;fs;.

27.01.2012 KINGDOM IS A MYSTERY

2012-01-26T20:11:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 4:26-34

Jesus spoke in parables regarding the kingdom of God. He did not say directly what it is. Even if he had said it the people would not have understood and that was the reason he spoke in parables. Kingdom is like a seed. Seed remains a seed until and unless it is thrown in the mud. There is life and dynamism within the seed which the man does not know. Man can only sow the seed and harvest the grain after the season. What happens in between is not his activity.

A seed also could be as small as the mustard seed yet its complete growth is mighty and rewarding. A single small seed can grow to be a might plant which can shelter many birds. Here again the sower is unaware of the future happenings of the growth. Likewise the kingdom has life within and it is dynamic and there is always growth. The growth is rewarding for others. There is an element of mystery about the kingdom.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 4:26-34

,iwahl;rp vd;gJ xU kiwnghUs;. Mijg;gw;wp ctikfs; topahf tpsf;fyhNk jtpu mJ vd;d vd;W Fwpg;gpl KbahJ. ,iwahl;rp cap&l;lKs;sJ. Tsu;r;rpf;fhd rf;jp mjDs; mlq;fp fplf;fd;wJ. mjDila tsu;r;rpia kdpjd; Gupe;Jnfhs;s KbahJ. Mdhy; mjd; tsu;r;rp gyUf;Fk; gadspf;ff;$baJ.

26.01.2012 MISSION

2012-01-25T07:57:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 10:1-9

Jesus sends seventy disciples to prepare the way for his mission. His mission is great and he needed many more disciples. Labourers are not sufficient for the work. Lot of work is undone because of the lack of workers. It is in this context, his directions to the disciples have meaning.

By telling them not to carry money or bag for the journey etc is to remind them that they have to be in a hurry to go about with the mission. He tells them not to greet anyone on the way and by so saying he tells them to be in a hurry and there is no time to be greeting people and wishing them well. There is no time to be going around from house to house in stead the message and mission are more important.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: Y}f;fh 10:1-9

gazj;jpd;NghJ gzNkh igNah vLj;Jr;nry;yf;$lhJ vd;W ,NaR nrhy;Yfpwhh;. ,t;thW nrhy;Ytjd; gadhf gzpia Kd;itf;fpwhh; gazj;ij my;y. topapy; ahiuAk; tho;j;jf;$lhJ vd;W nrhy;Ytjd; topahf gzpapd; Jupjj;ijAk; Kf;fpaj;ijAk; Kd;itf;fpwhu;.

25.01.2012 GO AND PREACH

2012-01-24T23:40:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 16:15-18

Go and proclaim the good news is the command given by Jesus to his disciples. This command of Jesus is the basis for evangelization. Content of the good news is the person of Jesus himself. Jesus when he began to proclaim the good news to the poor he preached about the kingdom of God. His preaching was about God and the presence of God in the world.

Preaching of the good news will have opposition. But these will have no power over the disciples. Disciples will not be overcome by evil. The signs of the believers are that they will not be overcome by evil. They will continue to do good. Faith and goodness will go together.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 16:15-18

cyfpw;nfy;yhk; ew;nra;jpia mwptpAq;fs; vd;gJ ,NaRtpd; fl;lis.

Nghjidapd; ika;aNk ,NaRjhd;. rPlu;fs; ed;ik nra;tjdhy; jPik mtu;fis neUq;fhJ. Vq;Nf tpRthrk; ,Uf;fpwNjh mq;Nf ed;ikAk; ,Uf;Fk;.

24.01.2012 RELATIONSHIP

2012-01-24T23:07:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 3:31-35

The people were talking in terms of human relationship. They were seeing things in human, social, natural and family contexts. They were of this world and they could not rise above the situations. Everything was very clear and evident for them and they could see things plainly as it seems.

Jesus sees things differently. For Jesus things were of divine relationship. Even the human relationship had its divine aspect. He saw things and persons with an eye of faith. He saw persons and things as God saw it. Everything was related and centred around God.

ew;nra;jp thrfk;: khw;F 3:31-35

kf;fs; ,ay;G cwTfisg; gw;wpg;NgrpdhHfs;. Mth;fs; cwTfisAk; nghUs;fisAk; epfo;TfisAk; kdpj fz;Nzhl;lj;jpy; ghh;j;jhh;fs;. Mdhy; ,NaR vy;yhtw;iwAk; ,iw fz;Nzhl;lj;jpy; ghh;j;jhh;.

23.01.2012 DOING GOOD

2012-01-24T23:06:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING MARK 3:22-30

Jesus was going about doing good. He was doing so much of good that it was noticed much and it disturbed the leaders and the settled people of the society. They begin to interpret his actions differently hoping to distract the crowd that followed him and also to move the people away from him. Because the people were flocking to him in such manner that they thought that he would take the crowd away from the traditional set up of the society.

Jesus gives counter arguments to them saying that even their own arguments were not right. Even evil will not work against evil was his argument. Evil would want to perpetuate itself and it would want to continue but the works of Jesus are against evil and to bring about good in the society. Their opinion and their arguments are wrong.

22.01.2012 FOLLOWERS

2012-01-24T23:04:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING MARK 1:14-20

Jesus calls the disciples to be his followers. He calls them from their own situations. He does not pick them up from or choose them from a qualified crowd or the elite of the society. He calls his disciples from a working class community. He calls them from the periphery of the society. They at the sea shore which was the end of the world. After the shore there was only water and there was nothing after that.

He chose them to be his disciples and followers. They had to follow him. At the moment of his calling he did not give them any principles and rules to follow him. He just wanted them to come after him. They had to follow the person Jesus. Their work was to make disciples for Jesus because he said to them "I will make you fishers of men".

21.01.2012 HE WAS OUT OF HIS MIND

2012-01-24T23:03:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING MARK 3:20-21

Jesus continued his ministry among people. People gathered around him in big number and they also kept him busy. He was so busy that he could not even have his meal. He and his disciples were over worked. This only points out the need for work of God. This also indicates that the work of the evil has taken over the world so much that there was the need for continued work.

His relatives and friends thought that he was out of his mind. It could have been because of the amount work done by him or the way he was going about doing which disturbed the normal regular functioning. Probably the people (could have been the Pharisees) began to complain against him that the relatives felt the need to control him.

20.01.2012 TWELVE

2012-01-24T23:01:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 3:13-19

Jesus appointed the twelve. For the Jews the number was symbolic and it had its specific meaning. It also referred to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve sons of Jacob. These twelve sons were indirectly the fathers (patriarchs) of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus by appointing the twelve was making the people realize that he was beginning the birth of the new Israel with these twelve men.

The works of the twelve were also given to them. They were to be with him (Jesus). These new Israelites were people belonging to Jesus and were attached to him (They were in the world but they did not belong to the world). They would cast out evil spirits from among the people. Their main activity was to remove evil and doing good among the people.

19.01.2012 CROWDS

2012-01-24T23:00:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 3:7-12

People began to flock him in crowds. People from every part of the known world for them came to him. They all came to him because they saw in him a healer. This was only going to show that they were many who were sick at that time and there was the inner longing in the people to be whole and healed. Jesus mission was to make people whole. It is the sick who need the doctor and not the healthy.

The evil spirits fell at his feet and worshipped him. They shouted saying you are the son of God. Evil spirits recognized in him the presence of God. God was in him and he was God himself and that was the reason they fell at his feet. Evil spirits were also indirectly proclaiming who Jesus was to the crowds. Like John the Baptist, like the mighty works done to the people and the healing done to the people so also the evil spirits were the forerunners in announcing who Jesus was.

18.01.2012 SABBATH

2012-01-24T22:58:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 3:1-6

Jesus was in the synagogue on a Sabbath day. Jesus was fulfilling the Sabbath rule by being present in the synagogue. We see Jesus in the synagogue quite a many time and he is regular in visiting the temple and he follows the normal rules and traditions. But he opposed the traditions and rules when they did not respect the persons and when they go against the persons.

Doing good for others should not have any restrictions. No law, no tradition, no time factor, no space factor, no group, no clan should prevent one from doing good. Again, doing good is the work of God and that was what god had done at creation. Whatever god did was good and god found it good.

17.01.2012 SABBATH

2012-01-24T22:57:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 2:23-28

Jesus enters into a controversy with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath rule. Sabbath rule was very strictly followed by the Jews and particularly the Pharisees. Observance of the Sabbath rule was a sign of the fidelity of Jews to the promises made by God. It was a day of rest for them and it had a religious significance (as God rested and blessed the day after creation) but it also had a humanitarian significance (the slaves had their right for rest at least for a day in a week).

Though Jesus accepted the religious significance yet he gives importance to the humanitarian significance. The example of David is a clear indication for this. The person is more important than the rules and the rules themselves are made for the sack of man and rules are to assist man rather than man to be a slave of the rules.

16.01.2012 TRADITIONS

2012-01-24T22:55:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 2:18-22

People love uniformity. They want everyone to follow one rule and one direction. All should be alike. This is one of the reasons why they ask the disciples about not confirming to the traditions. Also people in general are worried about others following the norms and rules rather than following the rules for themselves by themselves.

Jesus' answer to these questions is that there is newness in the situation; there is newness in the surroundings and this newness has to be addressed with new traditions and new rules. Old rules and old traditions have had their days and they are no more relevant as the kingdom of God has set in.

15.01.2012 VOCATION

2012-01-24T22:53:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Jn 1:35-42

This passage gives the story of the vocation of the first disciples according to the gospel of John. In the synoptic gospels Jesus himself went around and called the disciples where as here it is not Jesus who is going around calling the disciples rather they are sent to Jesus or they follow because of the witness of the other. Here we see a different way of calling the disciples.

In the gospel of John we see the following stages through which they are called to be his disciples. They are: 1) witness by someone about Jesus (here John the Baptist bears witness Andrew and John; and later Andrew to his brother Peter); 2) they listen; 3) follow him and search (where do you live); 4) come and see; 5) stay with him. These stages add up to the "calling story".

14.01.2012 LEVI

2012-01-24T22:51:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 2:13-17

Calling of Levi to be his disciples is one of the interesting stories in the gospels. Jesus calls many but only the stories of five are given in the gospels. In the synoptic gospels we read the stories of the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. But the stories of the other disciples are not given. May these five were active in the church from which or for which these gospel were written.

Even in the 'calling stories' Jesus communicates the target of his mission. He sat at table with the sinners and the tax collectors. Naturally the Pharisees were not at table with him. They would not and that is the reason that they question him. They were just observing what Jesus was doing. Jesus was sure of what he was doing and he did that openly.

13.01.2012 FAITH

2012-01-24T22:50:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 2:1-12

Jesus continued his teaching and preaching in the house as well. He was not doing it only in the synagogue alone. For him every place and every opportunity was an occasion to preach the word of God. People also listened to him gladly. His teaching was real and he was preaching with authority. Among the crowd there were also Pharisees. Some followed him and his teaching but there were also Pharisees who found fault with his preaching.

Jesus always rewarded the faith of the person involved or the faith of the people who were involved. All his healing miracles were the result of the expression of the faith. Also faith of one or some could heal the person who has not expressed his faith openly. The sick person is being carried and he could not probably express his faith openly but the people who carried him expressed it in their action and that was enough for Jesus.

12.01.2012 LEPER

2012-01-24T22:48:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 1: 40-45

Leper comes to Jesus and asks him to clean him of his disease. Jesus wanted to heal him but much more than that he wanted to relate to him. He wanted to be with him; he wanted to identify with him. He wanted to be one with him and that is the reason he touched him. Only after doing this gesture of touching him he healed him. He made the leper feel at home with him before healing him.

Jesus wanted this gesture to remain personal and not to announce to the others. The reason was that Jesus already had a crowd of people following him. Jesus could not travel openly in public. Could this be that Jesus did not want crowd rather he wanted individuals to follow him. He wanted personal attachment and personal following than a crowd.

11.01.2012 JESUS WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD

2012-01-24T22:47:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 1: 29-39

Simon Peter's mother-in-law waited on them after being healed by Jesus. Healing of a person from illness immediately leads that person to service. Indirectly the message that is communicated is that a person of wholeness or completeness should be available for service for the others.

Jesus who was completely whole was always available for service. He went about ding good to the others. People flocked to him and he was always with the people who need his service. However he did not restrict the service a place or expected the people to come to him. He went about to the people where the people were in need of his service.

10.01.2012 EVIL SPIRIT

2012-01-24T22:44:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 1: 21-28

Jesus' teaching was different from the rest of the religious teachers, and preachers. The listeners found in his teaching something that was different. He taught them with authority. The others taught what they had learned from whereas Jesus taught from within. This is the indirect way of Mark telling that Jesus is the Word. Jesus spoke from his own experience of the Father for he had come to reveal the Father.

09.01.2012 BAPTISM

2012-01-24T22:43:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING Mk 1:7-11

Jesus receives Baptism before he begins his public ministry. His life until then has been a life in the family or a life that has not been seen by the public. Though he does not need to be baptized yet he accepts it to show the people that he begins his public ministry through this. He is baptized by John the Baptist.

The external sign of receiving the baptism from the hands of John reveals that he is also accepted and recognized by the Father. He hears the voice from the heavens telling him that he is the beloved son of the Father and this recognition was supported by the sending of the Holy Spirit. It is this that makes the Baptism of Jesus real and makes him ready for his public ministry.

08.01.2012 WISE MEN

2012-01-24T22:39:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: Mt 2: 1-12

Wise men come in search of the new born king. They are usually considered to be coming from the east. They were also guided by the stars. Wise men are those who study the stars and the nature and see the events of life differently form the ordinary people who just accept things as they happen. Wise people read nature and read the signs of the times and respond accordingly.

When the news of the birth of a new king reached the ears of Herod he asked the scribes and religious leaders to find out the truth about the child. The scribes and the religious leaders search the bible to find the truth. They too find the truth and inform the wise men. Wisdom searches for the truth in nature but the word of God confirms the truth. Wisdom and the word of God are needed to guide one to arrive at truth.

07.01.2012 CANA

2012-01-24T22:38:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 2: 1-11

Mary attends the function. She also takes a role which indicates that she was closer to the family. She feels with their situation and she wanted to do something to alleviate the difficult situation. She does not show herself to be a mere guest or an invitee but rather she presents herself to be belonging to the family. Her insistence that Jesus should to something for them again shows her closeness.

This is the first sign that Jesus does in his public ministry. The author does not present Jesus as doing some in religious function or a temple-related function or a law-related situation. He is presented as upholding a family or keeping up the honour and prestige of the family in a difficult situation. Family is the basis for every other situation.

06.01.2012 JOHN THE BAPTIST

2012-01-24T21:41:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: MARK 1: 7-11

John's life style and his proclamation are only bearing witness to the Messiah. The witness he bears has two folded message: one is that John is not the expected Messiah and the other is the Messiah is greater than he. John is not even worthy to stoop down to untie his shoes. The baptism which is given by John is also of lesser value because it is the baptism by water.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. But at the same time the recognition by the Father and the descend of the Spirit on him makes the Baptism complete and full. Baptism is complete only when there is the descend of the Spirit and the recognition by the Father. Baptism by the water is only an external sign of the internal transformation that takes place by the Father and the Spirit.

05.01.2012 FIVE APOSTLES

2012-01-24T21:39:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: John 1:43-51

In this passage the author is writing about the vocation of Philip and Nathanael. In the other gospels Nathanael is called Bartholomew, which means he is the son of Tholomew. His real name would have been Nathanael. The gospels speak about the calling of five disciples only. In the first three gospels the authors write about the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, John and Levi (Matthew) while here the author writes about the vocation of Andrew, John, Peter, Philip and Nathanael.

These five had probably important roles to play in the ministry of the churches they were belonging to from which these gospels were written. The conversations between Philip and Nathanael, and Nathanael and Jesus reveal the expectation of the people regarding the messiah.

04.01.2012 VOCATION

2012-01-24T21:37:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: John 1: 35-42

The calling of the apostles is presented in a different way in this Gospel when compared to the other three gospels. In the other gospels they were called while they were fishing or mending their nets near the sea of Galilee while here they are already the disciples of John the Baptist and it is he who is offering them an idea about following Jesus.

In John's gospel the vocation has the following stages: 1) someone bears witness to Jesus, 2) listening or accepting the witness, 3) following the person whom one is searching 4) Jesus' invitation to come and see and 5) remain with him. These stages are important in the vocation. All these stages add up to the experience of Jesus. Only when the experience is complete then there is a following.

03.01.2012 LAMB OF GOD

2012-01-24T21:35:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: John 1:29-34

In this passage John is revealing one of the seven names that are given to Jesus in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Here the name is "lamb of God". Through this name the author is proposing the mission of Jesus. Jesus is to be the lamb that is going to be sacrificed and yet the lamb belongs to God. Jesus is going to be the messiah who will sacrifice his life for the salvation of all.

John the Baptist also bears witness to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. He is an eye witness to the event of the coming of the Spirit. Coming of the Spirit has two purposes: one it distinguishes the Baptism given by Jesus from that of John the Baptist and the other is that this is the sign that Jesus will give baptism by the Spirit.

02.01.2012 WHO WAS JESUS

2012-01-24T21:33:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: John 1:19-28

Was he Elijah? The Prophet Malachi declared that God would send Elijah the Prophet to prepare the people before the great and terrible day of the Lord. (4: 5). We know well that Elijah had purified the people on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19). He directed the people to believe in one true God. Later he was taken up to heaven. So it was believed that he would come back again and prepare the people. He denied that as well.

Was he a prophet? In Deuteronomy 18:15-18 God promised to raise a prophet Like Moses to lead the people. People expected someone to come and settle the mess that was in Israel and lead the people. He denied that as well. Like this there were many expectations. He accepted that he was only a voice that has come to prepare the way of the Lord. (Is 40: 1-8) "I am only a voice": this is his humility and his true greatness.

01.01.2012 JESUS IN THE MANGER

2012-01-24T21:31:00.001+05:30

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:16-21

Today's reading says that Jesus is an infant and he is lying in a manger. He could have been placed in any other place. Why was he placed in the manger? Manger is the place where food is kept for the cattle. Jesus is being placed there. Could this be a prophetic action? Jesus is already announced without word that he is going to be the food for many. It is a symbolic action.

Mary kept all these things in her heart. Mary the mother Jesus was a keen observer of things and not only that but she was also a person of reflection. Everything that happens around is not mere chances but they are of divine intervention for her. Every event revealed something of God to her. The arrival of shepherds and the information that the shepherds gave her made her reflect.

31.12.11 JESUS THE GOD MAN

2011-12-31T00:20:00.001+05:30

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…. (Jn 1:1-18)

John the Evangelist writes about Jesus. He speaks about the origin of Jesus and the mission (destiny) of Jesus. Of course Jesus had no beginning. But, Jesus was with God and that was the beginning. So it a beginningless beginning. Through Jesus all things were created. So Jesus' origin is that he had no beginning but he was with God and he was at the creation and through him all things came to be. And he was God.

Mission (destiny) of Jesus is the world and redemption of the world. He comes to the world which was created through him. The world is his own. But the world did not accept him. Only those who accepted him are redeemed. So men have the freedom to accept the work of Jesus. From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace.

John the author is bearing witness to this event: the event of the arrival of Jesus and his dwelling among us. Arrival of Jesus was announced by John the Baptist who in turn was sent by God. John has come to prepare the people. He has come to bear witness to the arrival of Jesus and mission of Jesus.

30.12.11 HOLY FAMILY

2011-12-29T23:57:00.001+05:30

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, …The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." …she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. (Lk 2:22-40)

The passage talks about the family in the context of religion, society, nation, and God. Family is the basis of the above mentioned contexts. All the contexts have their influence on the family and the family in turn builds up the religion, the society and the nation. When a family plays its role correctly then it becomes an ideal family.

The family of Nazareth believed in God. Mary obeyed the demands of god and Joseph did the same thing. The child found favour with God. In short the family was God fearing, believing in God, and obeying God. They also observed the requirements of religion particularly of the law of Moses.

The family and in particular the child had a role to play in the society. The child was to bring salvation to the nation and through it the society was to stand up before God. The prophecies of both Simeon and Anna revealed that the child was to have some role in the society. Any family should fulfil its role in front of God and society.

29.12.11 FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE

2011-12-28T17:34:00.001+05:30

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,… (Lk 2:22-35)

Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived their lives according to the cultural, social, and religious requirements of their times. Though Joseph and Mary were aware that Jesus was different and had a specific mission and both of them were told in vision and dreams that he was the son of God yet they followed the traditions of the times. They fulfilled the demands.

The demands and the requirements were anything evil or negative. These demands made them live their lives as Jews and as chosen people of God. Every child that was born and especially the first born male child belonged to God. This child had to be offered to God and then redeemed back by offerings the equivalents as prescribed. Jesus was also for fulfilling the laws but objected to only those which took away the human elements in their practices.

Simeon's prophecy was again a fulfillment of the promise of God. God had promised a savior and the people were expecting him at anytime. It was through revelation that he realized that this was the child who would later become the messiah: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

28.12.11 JESUS IN EGYPT

2011-12-27T17:40:00.001+05:30

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." (Mt 2:13-18)

Herod the king has been deceived by the magi. Herod had evil plans in his mind. He wanted to destroy the child so that he would not have any opposition to his position. He was ruled by his desire for position. For, Herod eliminated anyone who stood against his position. He thought that he was in control of the situations but in fact he was not.

God was in control of the situation. He wanted to save Jesus and let this be known in a dream to Joseph. The author also makes uses of this to reveal that Jesus came from Egypt. Matthew the author tries to show Jesus as the new Moses and Jesus as the new Israel. So he brings him out of Egypt. "Out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1)

Herod was furious and his wrath had it way. He killed the male children who were in Bethlehem. Why did these children die? At times evil has it time. We have an example in the case of Job. There could be other examples from the scriptures. The extend of the fury of Herod is narrated. Jesus himself faced the similar situation at the end of his life. Why should this happen? The author finds a biblical passage to prove this. It is the fulfillment of the scriptures. The authors' faith.

27.12.11 BELIEF OF THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

2011-12-26T16:05:00.001+05:30

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (Jn 20:2-8 )

The message (news) of the resurrection was first announced to Peter and John. An eye witness communicates first to Peter along with John. The message is that the tomb is empty. Natural conclusion is that the body of Jesus is taken away by someone. Since the news is communicated to the disciples and the disciples also ran to see the empty tomb the author is saying that the disciples were aware of what had happened.

The immediate reaction of the disciples was to run to verify and check. The first one to do that was Peter and then the other disciple also entered to check. They only saw the burial cloths. Empty tomb and the burial cloths were only proofs available. If someone had taken away the body then they would have taken with the cloths. If cloths are left behind the body was not stolen or taken away but something else had taken place.

The other disciple, whom Jesus loved (John) saw and believed. He also saw the tomb empty and he also saw the cloths lying without the body and hence the conclusion was that he was raised from the dead. Belief in the resurrection comes fro the empty tomb and the cloths without the body.

26.12.11 PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT

2011-12-25T17:29:00.001+05:30

But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. (Mt 10:17-22)

Beware of people says the author. Does he mean that we should not trust anyone? Why does he give this caution? People are there to handover one to the people in authority. Disciples are to answer to the people in authority and pagans. All these happen for the sake of Christ. Christ becomes the point of reference and conflict and division.

Disciples are not to be worried about how to tackle these situations. Situations are because of Jesus and God will look into the situations. God will tackle the situations. God will give the answers at the time. Situations of this type are not in the control of human beings. They are in the control of the spirit. Spirit has taken the situations into his hand and he will respond or make the disciple respond.

Jesus name will cause division among people in the society. This division will cut across the families and even brothers will be divided. People will hate the disciples for the name sake of Jesus. Only the presence of God and the presence of the spirit in the world will resolve all the problems. Disciples should have the faith to see God and the presence of the spirit even in the negative situations like divisions and hatred.

25.12.11 JESUS IS FOR ALL

2011-12-23T18:39:00.001+05:30

…and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock… The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Lk 2:1-14 )

Luke the Evangelist is trying to picture the scene of the Nativity of Jesus. He gives the historical background to the arrival of Jesus. He speaks about the ruler of the nations during whose reign Jesus was born. Jesus was historical. Then he was trying to picture him in sociological background. He belonged to the clan of David. And this was the reason that Joseph, Mary with the child moved on to Bethlehem, the city of David.

Next he gives a surprise. There was no room for Jesus in the town, in the houses and in the inn. Does the author try to place Jesus out side historical and sociological context? I should think so. Though the birth of Jesus is historical and sociological yet the actual birth of Jesus is outside history and society. He was born were the animals were staying (animal do not keep historical count and sociological references). Jesus is outside history and society. This could be the reason why he is all things to all.

The message is given to the shepherds who are also outside the historical and sociological contexts while they were keeping the night watch. They were one with the nature. They were with the animals but in the open where there was no shelter for them to stay. They were in the periphery of the society. In fact they were nomads. They were outside the society. To them the good news is given. Good news is given to the whole of creation and this is done so by showing outside historical sociological contexts.

24.12.11 SALVATION

2011-12-23T07:22:00.001+05:30

Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,… (Lk 1:67-79)

Zechariah prophesied. His prophecy was one of blessing God for the work of redemption. God's work of salvation has begun and it has begun from the house of David. This salvation was promised through all the prophets and it was an oath sworn to Abraham. This is a model song to sing regularly for the salvation received from God.

This salvation is a rescue from the enemies. Our God is a saviour-God. He has rescued us from evil, from danger and from difficulties and from situations of death. He rescued us from enemies who have threatened our life with fear and those who hate. Salvation is to create a situation of freedom and liberty. It is in this freedom that we are called to worship God.

The child that is born is to give this knowledge of salvation. The child is the forerunner to this salvation and he has to reveal this salvation is from sin and dangers. The child that is born is not only to give the knowledge of salvation but also to inform the people that the saviour is at hand. The saviour is sent to the people because of the tender mercy of God.

23.12.11 CELEBRATIONS

2011-12-22T21:59:00.001+05:30

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." …(Lk 1:57-66)

Birth of a child was a celebration in those days. Celebration reached its peak because a barren woman gave birth to a son. Relatives and friends gathered around the family to celebrate. The celebration was centred on the idea that God had shown mercy. Birth of every child was divine action. God was praised and thanked for the birth of a child.

Circumcision was again an action in which Israelites remembered the covenant which God made with Abraham. It was a sign of God covenant with the people. It was a constant reminder of the promise of God. As birth was a celebration of God's mercy so also Circumcision was a celebration of God's Covenant and promise.

Naming of the child was again an another occasion in which God's divine action was celebrated. It was all the more in the case of John because the name was given from God. It was not a social event. They were not naming him after his father or his forefathers. Name was a divine revelation. In this triple celebration Zacharias praised and blessed God for his divine intervention; for his covenant; for his promise and for his revelation.

22.12.11 GOD OF PROMISE

2011-12-21T09:57:00.001+05:30

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Lk 1:46-56)

Mary sees everything in God's perspective. Whatever happens in life is the work of God and she proclaims the greatness of God. Mary also sees the saving act of God. People of Israel began their faith-life after their experience of God in His saving act in Egypt. Right from that moment God has been continuing His saving act.

This saviour-God is not a one who acts for a group of people only. He also acts individually to every person. Mary has experienced this Saviour-God of Israel as the personal saviour-God. She calls Him my saviour (God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness). This God does the very same thing to everyone (His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him).

He does not upset things in the world as we often think (dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty). Mary sees these actions of God as actions of mercy and fulfillment of his promise. God is the God who fulfills his promise and this is done through His actions of mercy.

21.12.11 GOOD NEWS

2011-12-20T06:30:00.001+05:30

During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary received the good news that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus and as a proof of her motherhood; God gave the news that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also becoming a mother. Mary rushed to see her cousin to rejoice with her and also to be of service to her. Mary could not share this good news anyone else because no one would accept it.

Elizabeth would accept Mary and also rejoice with her, because she was also in the same situation. This was the reason that as soon as she saw Mary she cried out in a loud voice: "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…". Only Elizabeth could understand the situation and accept the situation. All the others need further proofs and explanations (including Joseph).

Exchange of greeting among two mothers was also exchange of greetings between the presences of the spirit. They realized the presence of the Holy Spirit. The children within their womb also exchanged their greetings (the infant in my womb leaped for joy). Then there was an open declaration that all those who accept and believe this would be blessed.

20.12.11 AND MARY SAID YES

2011-12-19T06:44:00.001+05:30

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be... Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary was a virgin when the angel Gabriel appeared to her but she was betrothed to Joseph of the house of David. She was greatly troubled at the words of the angel. The angel had only greeted her. Mary was only troubled at what this greeting might bring to her in her life. Greetings always bring with it something. It could be something good and helpful or it could also bring some message of trouble etc. It was natural that Mary was troubled at the greetings.

When the message was communicated then Mary wondered about how this could happen. Mary's reaction was true and just because it was humanly impossible. Mary was the only person, if at all any, who could question this situation. Mary's question was not just to give the reason for the impossibility but the demand for the reason for the divine intervention and the divine purpose for such an intervention.

When the divine purpose and the divine intention were made clear and understandable Mary could not but accept it. It was for this purpose the people of Israel where waiting for years and the expectations could be fulfilled at anytime and the present time was very apt for it. As a creature of God, Mary gives her fiat to God. As creatures, we have to accept and collaborate with the plan of God and Mary is a perfect model for that.

19.12.11 IN HIS HANDS

2011-12-18T07:02:00.001+05:30

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years…After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." (Lk 1:5-25)

God does his work with detailed preparation and exact execution. Nothing needs explanation and man only stands in wonder at the happenings. Man is given explanations and proofs but man should have a bit of faith to see God active in history and nature and in the events of the days. God reveals his designs in the daily, normal happenings of the events.

Here, the scene is set. Herod was the king and Zechariah was ministering at the altar of the Lord. He was a righteous man so also was his wife. Everything goes well except for one thing. This is how the needed situation is highlighted. When everything around a person is perfect except for one thing then that becomes more visible. Also no situation will be perfectly correct for anyone on earth which does not need God intervention.

God's action is planned and it happens at the right time. As it is said God does 'at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others' (Lk 1:25). God executes his activities at a time when he finds it fit for us. It is like saying we search for Him and He will find us. We have our disgrace, suffering, pain etc. but he will deal with it at His time and at His will.

18.12.11 VIRGIN

2011-12-17T07:44:00.001+05:30

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you." …for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk1:26-38)

The picture presents divine action in human situation. Divine does not act independent of creation. History and nature are the arena where God works. Creation itself is the work of God and He continues His work among his own creation. He does not work from outside but rather from within: right from inside the history and creation.

The author who believed in the above understanding presents the angel Gabriel from God but comes down to a human situation: he comes to a land (Galilee); he comes to a place (Nazareth); he comes to a person (Mary) and she belongs to a man (Joseph) and a tribe (David). All these information go to show that the divine action takes place in a purely historical, social, and earthy context.

But she was a virgin. Divine action has a specificity; an exception. This is where the divine action has a meaning and relevance and a purpose. Divine actions have many exceptions which go unnoticed but understood and accepted (Elizabeth). This only goes to show that there could be other exceptions which should be accepted and which are possible only to God (nothing will be impossible to God).

17.12.11 THE AWAITED ONE

2011-12-16T06:34:00.001+05:30

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.(Mt 1: 1-17)

The genealogy is quite impressive and compelling. Matthew has arranged the names in such a way to make certain points clear to the readers. Matthew wanted to prove to the readers that Jesus had royal blood in him. He arranged it in such a way as to go back to David. We do not see the name of Herod or other kings of the recent times because Herod had not Jewish royal blood in him.

The central figure in the list is David. David was considered to be the ideal, true and the only king of Israel. The author traces back the list to David to show that Jesus belongs to that royal list. The author also traces the genealogy to Abraham to show that Jesus belongs to the first historical person in the bible. Abraham was the first person whom God called to be his own.

The author arranges the genealogy into three groups of fourteen names –or, perhaps we should say, into six groups of seven names. Seven was and is the most powerful symbolic numbers which denotes the totality, the completeness. Jesus is presented as to have been born as the first of the seventh seven list. Jesus is the climax of the list. He is the first of the completeness or the totality of generations of generations. He was the awaited one.

16.12.11 WITNESS

2011-12-15T21:09:00.001+05:30

You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. (Jn 5:33-36)

John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus. (Jn 1:7 - A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.) He testified to the truth and he answered the emissaries their queries about the messiah. He openly declared that he was not the messiah and there was one coming after him.

John was a great prophet and he was a shining example for the people. People were happy and rejoiced at him. John's testimony was great for the people and many believed in him and followed him. Many were baptized by him. However John did tell the people that he was only sent to prepare the way and he was not even worthy to untie his shoes.

Jesus had greater testimony than John. This was God himself. The works that he did were, what the Father had asked him to perform. The works that he has accomplished did bear witness to Jesus. The message of the witness was that Jesus was from the Father and all what he has performed were in agreement with the Father.

15.12.11 JOHN THE BAPTIST

2011-12-14T21:45:00.001+05:30

When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see-- a reed swayed by the wind?...

I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." …(Lk 7:24-30)

Jesus had just sent back the disciples of John and now he is answering the crowd. Here Jesus is trying to speak to the crowd about John and who he was. He asked them questions and made them reflect for themselves. One does not go to the desert looking for kings and people who were wearing the latest fashions. If so the desert is not the place for such.

Desert for the people of Israel is the place of God experience. It is the place where God made himself available to the people for forty years and every moment of their sojourn in the wilderness. Prophets were the persons who challenged the people with the knowledge of God and experience of God. So people went to the desert looking for prophets.

Since Jesus was a different sort of a messiah so John also is a different sort of a prophet. He is not just one prophet among many. John is the one who is spoken of by Malachi, the one whose task is to prepare the way for the coming Lord. Anyone who belonged to the movement of Jesus (though least he may be) yet he is greater than the greatest.

14.12.11 IDENTITY OF JESUS AND JOHN

2011-12-13T15:13:00.001+05:30

The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'" At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." (Lk 7:18-23)

The people have already reflected on who John was. He was not Elijah, he was one of the prophets and he was only a voice in the desert asking the people to prepare way of the Lord. John had declared his identity in front of the people. Through this passage the author is trying tell the people from Jesus' own mouth who he was. So the disciples of John came and asked him who he was.

The questions that were raised clearly give us a clue as to what area we are in with regard to our discussion. We are in the area of discussing the identity of Jesus and at the same time the question is as regards who the messiah was. John had clearly denied it and he has openly declared that he had come only to prepare the way of the one who was mightier than he was.

The preaching and the doings of Jesus clearly presented who Jesus was. (Same way the identity of John was clearly represented in the clothing and the preaching and the doings.) People expected a messiah who was different from Jesus was. Jesus has said clearly that this was the messiah that he has come to reveal. John has sent disciples to confirm this image of messiah to his disciples and the public.

13.12.11 JOHN THE BAPTIST

2011-12-11T17:52:00.001+05:30

"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him. (Mt 21:28-32)

These days' readings are taken in such a way we are assisted to reflect upon John the Baptist. There is always some link with the person of John the Baptist. John the Baptist came into the world to prepare the way of the Lord. In fact he was sent by God (there was a man called John who was sent from God - Jn 1:6). John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'" (Jn 1:15)

The prime duty of John was to bear witness. He bore witness to Jesus saying that Jesus was with God and Jesus was greater than him and John was not worthy even to bend down to untie his shoes. In bearing witness to Jesus, John realizes his own self and his relationship with him. He accepts in reality and in humility that he is only the voice in the wilderness.

Those who believed in the preaching of John and repented form their sinful ways and turned towards God are in the kingdom. It is not the status of the person or the position of the person which is important rather it the repentant heart and the following of God is that which gives entry into the kingdom.

12.12.11 AUTHORITY

2011-12-11T17:30:00.001+05:30

When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet." So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things. (Mt 21:23-27)

Today, there is a lot of discussion on Baptism. People are confused as to which one is the correct one or the right one. The same situation arose at the time of Jesus. John the Baptist was baptizing in river Jordan. Jesus makes use of this situation to answer the question on the authority of his doings. People have began to accept that what he was doing was right but they were worried about the authority.

Regarding Baptism we have a reply from John the Baptist himself. He has said that he baptises the people with water but there is another one coming after him who will baptise with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1: 8). Baptism which Jesus gives does not dispute over water and the sort. They are only external signs but what is important is the baptism which Jesus gives.

People or those who want to have control over the others always worry about the activities of the others. Whatever work one does is questioned by the people who rule over people or want to rule over people. All what Jesus was doing was by the presence of the Father in him. He was doing godly works and naturally it was from above. Here the people in authority wanted to trap him.

11.12.11 A VOICE

2011-12-10T22:46:00.001+05:30

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light… And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?" he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah."… He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said." Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (Jn 1:6-8,19-28)

People were expecting a Messiah. People knew well how he would come and what he would do. He would be a king from the house of David of course. He would overthrow all injustice and rule over Israel. People were wonderstruck with the work he was doing. They almost thought that he was the expected one. But John was very clear and sure that he was not the one.

10.12.11 GOD'S TIMETABLE

2011-12-10T22:18:00.001+05:30

Then the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Mt 17:10-13)

"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?". The Prophet Malachi declared that God would send Elijah the Prophet to prepare the people before the great and terrible day of the Lord. (4: 5). We know well that Elijah had purified the people on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19). He directed the people to believe in one true God. Later he was taken up to heaven. So it was believed that he would come back again.

Prophet Malachi's prophecy was that this prophet would return to prepare the way of the Lord. Similar idea is found in the book of Sirach (48: 10) where the author speaks the work of Elijah as the work of restoring the tribes of Jacob. Using the texts like this the scribes had developed that prophet Elijah should come again to restore the people.

John the Baptist had come and did the very same work which the people expected Elijah to do and which the scribes were waiting to be completed. When John had come and preached the disciples and the people did not see in him the prophecy of Malachi. They expected a prophet would bring thunderbolts and destruction and so on. John came totally in a different form and speech. God's timetable and God's working is not controlled by man's reasoning and understanding.

09.12.11 MYSTERY

2011-12-08T16:55:00.001+05:30

"To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by her works." (Mt 11:16-19)

Jesus seems to be disappointed with this generation. He has worked his way through Galilee. He has preached to the people and he has worked his miracles. Matthew has already spoken about Jesus and his ministry in six chapters (from chapter 4 to chapter 11). This generation has seen the works of Jesus and yet they have not believed in him.

This generation is like children. Children play games. In the games they expect one another to support and help and join in the games. If children do not join in the games or play with them or play their roles then the game is no carried on further. One has to call for the game and others have to join in to complete the game. Through this example Jesus is talking about the non cooperation.

But when he speaks about John the Baptist and himself he speaks about the misunderstanding. Misunderstanding comes because the people give importance to the external signs and read the internal dispositions. Rather the people read in the human way. There is always an another way. That is man is a mystery. This element of mystery is not revealed in external signs and we cannot interpret it easily.

08.12.11 GRACE

2011-12-08T14:42:00.001+05:30

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,…

"Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."

^… for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary became the mother of Jesus because she was favoured by God. The passage brings to our attention the way God dialogued with Mary through the angel and how the angel convinced her of her importance in the history of Salvation. The whole narration is given in such a way anyone reading it would understand and get convinced that Mary was preferred to be the mother of Jesus.

There is no biblical reference here in this passage or any passage to say that Mary was conceived without the effect of original sin except that she was 'favoured'. Mary received the grace of God. Grace is a free and gratuitous gift from God. The person who receives the grace is in no way worthy to receive it from the human point of view. Even the worthiness is given by God. God has found her worthy and god has chosen her to receive the merit of Jesus.

The salvation which Jesus brought forth through the death and resurrection is again a gift given to the whole humanity and the whole of creation. This gift is not merited but granted freely to all. Mary received this merit right from the beginning of her existence because she was going to be the helper in the plan of God. It is a grace given to her and it is God's own choice and nothing is impossible to God.

07.12.11 MEEK AND HUMBLE

2011-12-08T12:57:00.001+05:30

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Mt 11:28-30 )

Jesus invites his listeners. Now his invitation is turned towards those who are burdened. Jesus wanted to associate with the sufferings and the neglected. His promise of rest is not a rest from work. Because, later he speaks of burden and yoke. He is asking them to have an attitudinal change. But his invitation to those who are burdened remains.

He promises rest. The rest is not cease fro labour but to pick up his you and follow him. The listener has to learn from Jesus. Jesus becomes a model for the workers and those who are heavy of heart. Jesus says that he himself is in a similar situation. Jesus himself is heavy with work and weighed down by burdens.

The lesson that the listeners have to learn is his approach to life. It is living out his life with humility and meekness. Humility in the bible and in Jesus is realizing the presence of God in life and events. A person is humble only when he realizes that God is working in and through events of life. As creatures of God all are in the same situation and hence each one has to be meek and gentle with one another.

06.12.11 REJOICE OVER THE LOST SHEEP FOUND

2011-12-05T15:19:00.001+05:30

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost. (Mt 18:12-14)

Jesus asks the listeners to have their opinion. He gives them freedom to have their views regarding the story he is about to narrate. It is a short story about the sheep and the shepherd. As he gives them an opportunity have their own view he tells them his view of the story. His view of the story as usual takes back to the Father.

We always wonder how a shepherd will leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go after the lost one. The story is about the single one only. All the rest are only a background to the story. The story has a message to communicate. The lost sheep and the message are more important than the rest of the scene.

Whenever Jesus speaks, he always speaks about the Father and his relationship with His people. Even when he speaks about the kingdom, Jesus indirectly brings in the role of the Father towards the people. Here as we all know that the Father rejoices more over the lost one which is found than the other ninety-nine which are not lost. This does not mean that the Father does not rejoice over the ninety-nine. He rejoices more over the lost one found.

05.12.11 MAN WITH AUTHORITY

2011-12-04T21:09:00.001+05:30

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set (him) in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, "As for you, your sins are forgiven." Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins''-- he said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, "We have seen incredible things today."(Lk 5:17-26)

Jesus was teaching. He also had the power of healing. These were the two great ministries which Jesus was doing on this earth. People were witnesses to these activities. Pharisees and the teachers of the law were also there listening to his teachings. Certainly they did not agree to all what he taught because constantly they tried to put him to test. They wanted to catch him by his own words. They did the same with regard to his doings.

Only God can forgive sins and that too he would do it through the temple and all the system of sacrifices. Above all this was done on the Day of Atonement. Normally this would be the process through which God forgave the people. So naturally this would involve the priests and particularly the high priest. Jesus was aware of this. The how could he say: 'your sins are forgiven'. He was cutting across the normal channels of authority and this was the problem.

People who were gathered around Jesus, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were witnesses to his teachings and miracles. They saw the paralyzed man walking in front of their own eyes. The people were amazed because they saw am man with healing power and he was a man of authority because he challenged the leading members of the society and preached about the kingdom.

04.12.11 BAPTISM

2011-12-03T19:53:00.001+05:30

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God).As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'" John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit." (Mk 1:1-8)

The author is giving us the good news of Jesus Christ. But he straight away goes to the Old Testament to speak about his messenger and his arrival. The story has something to do with the Old Testament. In fact the story is the fulfilment of the Old Testament sayings and prophecies. The story of Jesus is nothing but the fulfilment of the prophets and Moses. All what the author was going to say was nothing but fulfilment of the Old Testament.

Quotations are borrowed from two prophecies--that of Isaiah and that of Malachi. Both of them spoke of the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Malachi says that the messenger is sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Prophet Isaiah says that John the Baptist is the voice that cries in the desert. His dress and his food reveal that he was not conforming to this world. His way shows that we have to live above the world and worldly things to prepare the way of the Lord.

John the Baptist preached a baptism for the forgiveness of sin. This was the command which Jesus gave his disciples after resurrection. So Jesus' story begins and ends with the baptism for the forgiveness of sin. The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have had their sins forgiven them is that they shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

03.12.11 BELIEVERS WILL DO GOOD

2011-12-02T19:24:00.001+05:30

He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. (Mk 16:15-20)

Jesus after his resurrection instructed his disciples to go into the whole world. There was no restriction for them. The whole wide world was open for their ministry. Their only and the one job was to proclaim the gospel. This was to be done to every creature. Again Jesus gave an open ended mission. Proclamation of the gospel has no limitation, no restriction, no control, and no exclusivity.

Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. Their proclamation of the gospel has a goal in purpose. It is the salvation of the listeners. They are to be brought back to God. The requirements for this salvation are their belief and baptism.

The signs that will be noticed in the believers are that they will not be controlled by evil and the power of evil. In stead they will remove evil from the world and the people and they will do good to all. They will make the people whole and complete and they will be masters of the situation. Situation will have no domination over them. Presence of good and doing good will clearly indicate that they are believers.

02.12.11 BLIND MEN

2011-12-01T17:33:00.001+05:30

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed (him), crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!" When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done for you according to your faith." And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. (Mt 9:27-31)

Two blind men followed him. They did not follow him to be his disciples. They wanted a miracle from him. They wanted to be healed. ("Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said to him). They believed in him and they prayed to him (Son of David, have pity on us!). Interestingly the blind men (who could not see anything and could not see the path) followed him. Their faith together with prayer was seen in their effort.

Their faith was rewarded (Let it be done for you according to your faith). Jesus heard their cry (prayer) and he saw their effort (followed him) and rewarded their faith. It is the faith that matters for divine revelation and divine response. Here, in this passage, the faith is seen in their acknowledgement that God is present in Jesus and active in Jesus.

Anyone who experiences God will not keep quiet. He would rather run out and spread around the news that God is present and active. This is what we see in these two blind men. Even when they are constrained and warned they could not resist proclaiming the presence of God. (I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. Jer 20:9)

01.12.11 WILL OF THE FATHER

2011-11-30T17:31:00.001+05:30

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." (Mt 7:21,24-27)

Kingdom of heaven is where everyone wants to be. All want to enter into kingdom of heaven. The Jews believed that that had Abraham as their father and hence they believed that they would have entry into the kingdom. There were others who believed in God and their appeal to God (who call God as Lord, Lord) would grand them an entry.

Father in heaven is in the kingdom of heaven. In this kingdom what is important, is doing the will of the Father. God has a plan for everyone. (we see this very much in the lives of the prophets and kings and others). His plan is to build the kingdom among the people and creation. Building the kingdom is by executing the plan of God (will of the Father).

Will of God is revealed in the words of Jesus. Listening to the words of Jesus and acting accordingly is doing the will of God. These are the wise men who are like the building founded on rock. Listening to Jesus and doing the words of Jesus is doing the will of the Father and thus enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

30.11.11 FOLLOWING A PERSON

2011-11-29T18:28:00.001+05:30

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. (Mt 4:18-22)

As the reading suggests, Jesus was just walking on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He had no intention of meeting them or he was not going with a plan to invite them. He saw tow brothers casting a net and he invited them to follow him. They too responded immediately and followed him. Did they have a fore knowledge of Jesus? How could they follow Jesus (a passerby) leaving everything?.

Jesus walked a little further and found two other brothers and he welcomed them to follow him and they too left everything, including their father and followed him. The first group left their job, their livelihood and followed him. The second group of brothers not only left their livelihood but also their relations (father). Could be that the second group was younger than the first because their father was still alive and working.

Following here meant immediate, spontaneous, leaving everything. It is following a person and not a principle or a dogma or a system or a structure. Hence there are no rules for following. No criteria to be followed in calling and choosing. There are no expectations and demands. Following is just walking behind a person (leader).

29.11.11 KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

2011-11-28T18:29:00.001+05:30

At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." Turning to the disciples in private he said, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." (Lk 10:21-24)

Jesus gives a sample prayer. This is the prayer of praise. He praises God for what has happened and that is the fulfilment of the will of the Father. And it is a moment of rejoicing. So prayer is a moment of celebration: it is a moment of praise; and it a moment of thanksgiving because the will of the Father is fulfilled. Jesus sees the fulfilment of the will of the Father in ordinary events; natural events and not in extraordinary miracles.

The relationship between the Father and the Son is very revealing. The Father trusts the Son so much that he has handed over everything to the Son. There is total trust between them. There is complete knowledge of one another. (Hosea 6:6 Knowledge of God is more than sacrifices). This knowledge is communicable. Jesus communicates this knowledge to whomever he wishes to.

This true and trustworthy and communicable knowledge is what every one wanted to see and hear. The Prophets of the past and the leaders wanted to receive this knowledge but they were not given. The presence of God in Jesus and the working of the kingdom in Jesus were the expectation of everyone.

28.11.11 CENTURION'S FAITH

2011-11-28T17:53:00.001+05:30

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, (Mt 8:5-11)

A centurion is a man of authority and a man in position of authority. Normally a man in authority does not plead for his subject or does not show concern for his subjects.( I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."). He exercises only authority and he demands service from his subjects.

This centurion is different. He is aware of his position and authority. But he pleads for his subject and he shows concern for his subject. More than this he was humble in front of Jesus. He practiced Mic 6:8. (You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.)

Jesus was amazed at the response of the centurion. Jesus was amazed because this man was a non Jew and yet he practiced the basic requirements of the bible. He showed his concern for the neighbor and he was humble before God. He recognized his humanness and walked humbly before God and he showed his love for his neighbor (the two commandments).

27.11.11 SECOND COMING

2011-11-26T18:57:00.001+05:30

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'" (Mk13:33-37)

This passage is speaking about the second coming of the Lord. Advent is a season to prepare the people for the second coming. All the liturgical readings speak about the second coming only. The readings of the last nine days only prepare us for the feast of the birth of Jesus (first coming). Since the readings speak about the second coming we find in this passage the master leaving the workers and the gatekeeper and goes out of the house.

The listeners (disciples) should be ready to receive the master when he comes. That is the reason the author tells the readers to be to be watchful and to be alert. Though Jesus was speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple its meaning for us is important and it should be grasped rightly. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple is only a foretaste of the judgement that will fall on the whole world. There are no signs here and no advance warning. No compromises and no excuses. One has to be watchful and alert.

No one knows the hour when the master is returning. ("But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mar 13:32). Father and son work very closely together (John's gospel). Jesus knows a great deal, but he does not know this (Mark's gospel). It is an apocalyptic writing. Apocalyptic writings leave the issue to God. (Man may intervene and propose historical events, dates and timings). Apocalyptic events are with God and no one knows except HIM.

26.11.11 WHAT COUNTS IS PATIENCE

2011-11-25T21:45:00.001+05:30

"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." (Lk 21:34-36)

The author is writing about the things that are happening in Jerusalem. Daily life itself is becoming difficult. Anxieties of the daily events are making the disciples weary and drowsy. The normal happenings of the day are making the heart of the disciples lose the strength of the spirit. All these are leading them to discouragement.

Anxieties, worries and all the rest of it will happen to every one. No person will be able to avoid this. All these are only going to lead one to the day. That day, the last day also will happen to everyone on the face of the earth. No one should think that he can escape this. It will happen to all and it will not be or should not be a surprise to anyone.

The teachings of Jesus for his disciples are very clear: keep alert; patience; pray for strength to keep on going. Things happen regularly and repeatedly. Anxieties and worries and destruction are part of daily happenings and they are repeated week after week and so on. What counts is patience and patience is the fruit of the spirit.

25.11.11 MY WORDS

2011-11-25T21:17:00.001+05:30

He taught them a lesson. "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Lk 21:29-33)

Trees are creation of God. They are to be considered (lessons have to be learned from them for life). Even their normal, natural growth teaches us lessons which are of great importance. They are signs at times of what is happening around. They indicate seasons. They also teach us that the nature is inter related. They have some common purpose.

Similarly what is happening around indicate that the kingdom is at hand. Events that happen in history are not without any purpose. They are not just disjoined actions. Events have some purpose and they indicate and point to something. Jesus who has come to establish the kingdom and who has come make the people realize that God is in the world says that the events lead up to this realization.

Jesus assures his listeners that whatever he has said would happen. Even heaven and earth will pass away. That is, this world will have its end. But the word of god will never have and end. It will continue to exist as it existed from the time before creation. Word of God lasts for ever.

24.11.11 DESTRUCTION AND DESOLATION

2011-11-23T17:11:00.001+05:30

"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." (Lk 21:20-28)

The first part of this passage is clearly speaking about Jerusalem and the surrounding places. This prophecy of Jesus was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans arrived and destroyed Jerusalem. His advices to the disciples to flee the city and not to enter the city are true. The disciples should not live with the false nationalistic idea to defend the city. Destruction was sure.

Jerusalem that had opposed his message is finally overthrown. This is the vindication of Jesus and his people. This is the sign that he has been enthroned at his Father's side in heaven. Luke believes in the second coming of Jesus however he speaks more of the vindication of Jesus and the rescue of his people from the system that has oppressed his people.

The disciples are told that they are in a world which is not very receptive to the gospel and the kingdom like Jerusalem. Communities and countries refuse to listen to the gospel and ignore the invitation. However the disciples have the duty to warn the society saying that if they refuse the invitation of God then they will face disaster and destruction. But the disciples should practice patience.

23.11.11 NAME OF JESUS

2011-11-22T22:53:00.001+05:30

"Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives. (Lk 21; 12-19)

Jesus is talking about a time when he would not be present with his disciples. The disciples would be alone to face these oppositions (Jesus would not be with them physically). The disciples would be marked out as his followers (for the sake of my name). It is a time of persecution; it is a time of interrogation in the synagogues and it is a time of imprisonment.

Families will become the place of hatred and division. (Families are supposed to be the place of union and relationship). Christians would be blamed for everything. Christians would be the ones whom everybody loved to hate. If ever they needed patience, they would need it then.

Jesus promises to give them what they would expect from him at the time of waiting: wisdom and words to speak. This promise of Jesus was fulfilled at the time of persecution (between the time of resurrection and the fall of the Temple - AD 70). But the words of encouragement of Jesus are given to the disciples.

22.11.11 END OF THE WORLD

2011-11-21T21:57:00.001+05:30

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, "All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. (Lk 21:5-11)

Temple was the permanant sign of God's presence in the world. It was the dwelling place of God on this earth. Jews spoke proudly of this place and they did everything to keep the place as the best place on this earth. They spent all their wealth on it. There was only one such place on this earth and this was the reason that every Jew visited this place every year.

Jesus spoke of destruction of this place in particular and the end of the world in genenral. When he spoke of the destruction of the temple he did mean that it would happen in the present times that is in the near future. A Jew could not accept the fact that the dwelling place of God could meet with destruction.

From here Jesus makes the people reflect upon the destruction of the whole of creation that is the end of the world. The whole of creation will face the end but when this would happen is not known to anyone. Jesus gives the signs that would preceed the destruction. The signs are the fights among men (nation against nation) natural calamities etc. These are only signs and not the end. He said to them: do not believe those who come and say that it happening here (I am he etc) or there or now or then etc. No one knows the hour except the father.

21.11.11 POOR WIDOW

2011-11-21T21:24:00.001+05:30

When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." (Lk 21:1-4)

Every religion gives opportunities to its followers to give offerings. Revelation is the means through which God communicates with the people. Offerings and sacrifices are the means through which people approach God. God is the creator of all things and hence everything belongs to God. Everything should go back to God. Offering is a way through which people live this aspect of their faith.

This is the reason why Jesus permits offerings and makes comment on it. He watches people making offerings to God. Rich people make their offering into the treasury. Probably they were putting into the treasury their tithes. This could have been a sizable amount for a rich person. The rich person is happy and proud to give his tithe to God.

Jesus makes his comment on the poor widow who put in all what she had for her living. She lived out her faith: everything is a gift of God and hence everything belong to God. Her approach to God was not partial or limited rather she offered everything to God. She was totally submitted to God and surrendered to God Her faith was lived out to the full.

20.11.11 SHEPHERD KING

2011-11-19T19:27:00.001+05:30

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats… (Mt 25:31-46)

Jesus Christ is presented as a king. That is he appears in glory and all the angels are around him. So is something heavenly and nothing of this world. Only the language and the symbols are of this world. He would sit on the throne of glory. All the nations are assembled in front of him. So he is the king of the whole world and in fact, of the whole universe.

The work he does is the work of separating the sheep form the goats. It is like the creation story wherein God separated the waters from the earth; light form darkness; water above from water under the earth and so on. So what Jesus does is the work of new creation. Jesus Christ is creating the new heaven and the new earth it seems so. This work he does so as a shepherd would do in separating the sheep from the goats. So he is a shepherd king and not a political king.

The sheep like people (people who have seen God in others and served God on others) continue to live in the presence of god where there is rejoicing and gladness and celebration. The goat like people (people who did see God in others and serve God in others) will not have the closeness of god. This would be their punishment.

19.11.11 RESURRECTION

2011-11-19T19:04:00.001+05:30

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.' Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless…

That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called 'Lord' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." Some of the scribes said in reply, "Teacher, you have answered well." And they no longer dared to ask him anything. (Lk 20:27-40)

This present passage debates on resurrection. Jesus raised people from dead. This passage gives the views prevalent among Jews on resurrection. There were people who did not believe in resurrection (Sadducees), there were others who believed like the rule of Moses (the story of seven brothers). But the correct view is that of Jesus.

When Jews talked about resurrection they had the following view in their mind: all humans from the time of Abraham (or even from Adam) and those of the present times and those of the future would be raised from the dead by God. God would create a new world for them to live in. (This is not like what we say about the life after death). It is a future event and as a result the dead would live again in a way different from the present one. All the wrongs would be put to right. And the Sadducees did not accept this view.

Jesus presented a view that was different from the rest. He said that resurrection life will not be exactly the same as the present one. After death it is irrelevant to speak about family line of relations. After resurrection we will be like angels (deathless, immortal state) and we will have bodies appropriate to the new world which God is making. And the God whom we believe in is God of the living (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive in God's presence.)

18.11.11 JUDGEMENT

2011-11-17T17:06:00.001+05:30

Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. (Lk 19:45-48)

The angry protest of Jesus is a solemn prophetic warning against the commercialization of temple business. His actions echoed that of prophet Jeremiah and the like. If the temple becomes a hide-out for brigands then surely it will come under God's judgement. Now the temple is run by the brigands and hence it is about to meet the judgement.

The temple was the focal point of the national ideology. It was a sign of God's unshakable promise to the people of Israel. Israel was asked to keep the promise safe. The promise was kept safe by faith and obedience. If the promise is not met by faith and obedience then judgement will come upon. It was as good as breaking the covenant relationship.

This message of Jesus was unpopular among the ruling people of God. Jesus action was the immediate cause for the arrest of Jesus and the following events. However the people who listened to him were many and they were eagerly waiting to hear his words. The leaders have to face up to this situation as well. Whatever be the judgement was imminent.

17.11.11 JESUS WEPT

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As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace-- but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." (Lk 19:41-44)

Now it is Jesus' turn to cry. Till now we have seen the people crying to Jesus. People in distress came to him in big number and cried to him for intervention. They came to him crying for healing and life. Soon the women of Jerusalem would cry for Jesus (Lk 23.27). Jesus is not immune to tears. In the gospel of John he cried at the tomb of Lazarus. Now here he cries over the city.

Is crying a moment of weakness? Should a messiah weep in front of the people? During his public ministry, he has always warned the people of impending judgement. The judgement came on them because they resisted the call of God for peace. (Unless you repent you will all perish – Lk 13.3-5). Jesus is now about to enter the city and he is aware of the impending destruction.

Luke makes a vivid report of the feelings that went on in the mind of Jesus. Jesus pours out his feeling in tears and expresses openly: "If this day you only ..." People have chosen to ignore the moment when God was coming in solemn visitation. The city had rejected his earlier warnings and hence it is now heading for destruction.

16.11.11 SERVANTS

2011-11-15T12:46:00.001+05:30

While they were listening to him speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' …

'I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'" After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. (Lk 19:11-28)

The nobleman who wanted to become a king trusted his servants. He gave them work to complete before his return. The nobleman believed that he would return as king. People were not fond of the nobleman. He had enemies among the people. But he treated the workers equally. He gave them all equal amount to engage in trades.

The servants worked differently. One was diligent. He received the praise and reward for his work. The second worker also was diligent but probably according to his capacity so he was also rewarded according to his ability. The third one did not make any effort and he excused himself for his laziness and inability. Servants are credible only with regard to their work.

"I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This is the message for the kingdom. It seems very strange. But this is a cryptic way of saying, "To everyone who has (made more out of what is given to him), more will be given, but from the one who has not (made extra out of what was given) even what h has will be taken away.

15.11.11 ZACCHAEUS

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He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." (Lk 19:1-10)

Zacchaeus was a tax collector, he was a wealthy man and he was short in stature. As a tax collector he was considered to be a sinner by the people. Jesus came to bring good news to the poor but Zacchaeus was a wealthy man and hence he was out of Jesus circle. As the normal run of the events, Zacchaeus would not have been a follower of Jesus.

He was seeking to meet Jesus. His interest was not just intentional but it was also seen in action. He ran ahead and climbed the tree. He made a move to meet Jesus. This was considered positive by Jesus. The little effort made by Zacchaeus was rewarded by Jesus. His little effort made Jesus to relate with him. Jesus willingly offers to dine with him.

This relationship with Jesus makes him repent. He changed his life style. Zacchaeus was willing to set right his life and this in return made him associate with the poor. Zacchaeus' interest was revealed in his action. This effort was rewarded by Jesus by offering relationship. And this relationship made him repent and set him back in the society.

14.11.11 JESUS SEES THE PERSON AND FAITH

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Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me!" Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God. (Lk 18:35-43)

A blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. Blindness and begging need not go together. It only shows that a blind man is dependent. He depends on others for his living. He needs to be helped out for survival. He is on the roadside because he has no home of his own or he has been thrown out of his house. Blindness, begging, and roadside seem to describe the situation of that person.

But he has heard about Jesus. The blind man knows that Jesus is the son of David. He calls him by that name at the second time. The blind man is a Jew or at least he knows the Jewish traditions. He also knows the role of the son of David. Son of David has a messianic role Jesus has come to fulfil that. And this was the reason that the blind man asks for mercy.

Jesus sees the faith of the person. Jesus also sees that the blind man is a human person and he needs to be respected like any other person. Jesus does not ignore him as the crowd does. Even amidst the noise of the crowd Jesus goes out to show his concern for a single individual. Jesus sees the person, he also sees the faith of the person and Jesus sees the person as an integral (complete, whole ) person and that is the outcome (miracle)

13.11.11 TALENTS

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"It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-- to each according to his ability. Then he went away…The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'…For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' (Mt 25:14-30 )

This parable has got only one message and that is the reason why the whole story is centred on the one servant (useless servant). This parable is also narrated towards the end of the story of the Gospel. Right through the Gospel we see Jesus criticising and condemning the Pharisees and the Scribes. The whole of chapter 23 of Matthew's Gospel speaks about them.

The Pharisees and the Scribes have been given the Law of Moses and the have been given the Temple, the sign of God's presence among them. The have been given wonderful promises about how God would bless them and through them how God would bless the other nations. They have buried these things in the ground. They did not use it for themselves and neither did they use it for others.

The master was coming back and he was to come back at the end of times (this is the story of the Israel and God and it is about Jesus and Jews). The other two servants are those who hear the call of Jesus and on that basis live their life accordingly. They are the ones who make the right use of the money.

12.11.11 GOOD GOD

2011-11-11T19:07:00.001+05:30

Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk 18:1-8)

The author of this passage tells us that he is telling a parable and the parable has a purpose. The parable wants to communicate about prayer and the necessity of prayer and prayer without ceasing. Usually a parable make the hearer to decide about the message (parable of the Good Samaritan where the listener is asked to reply as to who was really a neighbour)

The judge was a wicked man. He never bothered about justice. He was not bothered about God and he did not even bother about human. For him nothing was a matter of concern. He lived his life and that was everything. Others were not his concern. He did not want to be disturbed by others. If at all he did some good it was because he wanted to avoid disturbance and irritation.

Even wicked people do some good because of selfish motives. Selfish people also do good. Jesus argument was that even selfish people do good and hence much more good would be done by God who is selfless and totally good. If good can come out of evil then naturally good will come in abundance form good God.

11.11.11 PROMISE OF THE KINGDOM REMAINS

2011-11-10T10:22:00.001+05:30

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left.And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather." (Lk17:26-37)

The vultures here seem to refer to the Romans who were invading the nation. And the Romans had eagle as their imperial badge. Vultures were considered to be a kind of eagle by the ancient writers. Roman army was fast approaching and they destroyed the land and the people of the land had no choice to make and they had no time even to think of their basic necessities.

The people at the time of Noah (pre-historic times) and the people of Lot (in historic times) were not worried about what was happening around. They were only concerned about their enjoyment and pleasure. They were all perished because their lack of interest in the happenings.

The day of the Son of Man will also be like those. In the midst of normal life ruin breaks in on those who have not heeded God's call. This passage is an invitation to those who are anxious about the future. People who read the scriptures (about Noah and Lot) anf the people who experience the present (arrival of Roman army) should think for themselves about the future. But the promise about the kingdom remains.

10.11.11 KINGDOM IS A DECISION

2011-11-09T21:54:00.001+05:30

Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. (Lk 17:20-25)

Jesus was speaking about the kingdom of God. He was preaching about it through parables and stories. Pharisees and other leaders could not get the idea about the kingdom. They could not understand what he meant by this and so they asked for signs and when and from where it would come etc. They wanted to see it and observe it. It was becoming more and more a mystery for them.

Jesus' answer was more confusing them. He said do not go around here and there for the kingdom. It is not localized (in space) and it is not fixed in time (when). Kingdom is not conditioned by time and space. Kingdom is like the son of man who appears like the lightning and disappears the next moment. In a sense do not look for it out side . It is a presence.

Jesus never uses God's kingdom in the sense of purely spiritual, private and interior relationship (within you). It may be closer to saying that the kingdom is present but secret, hidden, waiting to be discovered (in your midst). But the real meaning is more active. It is not that the kingdom is present for you to just observe rather you have got to do something about it. It is within your grasp. It is confronting you with a decision, the decision is to believe, to trust and to follow Jesus.

09.11.11 TEMPLE

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Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of scripture, "Zeal for your house will consume me." At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. (Jn 2:13-22)

Temple is a place of worship. For the Jews it was the place where God resided. Temple was the meeting place for God and his people. It was the place where God revealed himself, his glory and his mercy. God communicated his himself (revelation) to the people. And the people reached God through sacrifices. People communicated through sacrifices.

Jesus came to the temple of Jerusalem and he saw the means of communication (oxen, sheep, dove etc). He did not find communication between God and people. The means (oxen, sheep, dove etc) have become end in themselves. People were satisfied with the means and neglected God and communication with God. It was this situation that made Jesus angry. Temple without God is a market place.

Material places, things and even physical body can become temple if there was communication between God and person. Jesus speaks of his body as the temple because there was perfect communication between God and himself (his body). The central thing in the temple is the communication. Wherever there is communication between God and man then that place (Bethel) or body (Jesus) becomes the Temple.

08.11.11 SERVANTS

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"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'" (17:7-10)

Servants are always servants in front of their masters. They may be different among their own friends and in their own household or when they are on leave. They are servants in their work place and they have their duties to complete and the master counts only completion of works. The master does not watch on anything else except him as a worker and the work completed.

This is in no way implies that a servant is a slave who does not have his own free time to do as he wishes. Servant has his own time of freedom in which he could eat and drink. Everyone has his own time to act as he wishes and the time of work in which to act as the master desires.

This parable only goes to tell the disciples that they should feel like the servant in this story. They are given works to do and they should only feel that they are servants and they are obliged to do their work only. In short the disciples should not feel that they are masters. There is only one master and all the rest are servants. The disciples are obliged as servants.

07.11.11 SIN

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He said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. (Lk 17:1-6)

Everyone sins in this world. There is no one on this earth who can say that he has not sinned (except Jesus Christ). There are sins which are caused by the others or external agents. These causes are also inevitable. There are persons, events, things which cause another to sin. However, one should be careful not to sin and much more, not to be a cause of sin. Sinner is forgiven (even is he sins seven times a day) but not the one who is the cause of sin.

Anyone who is the cause of sin for the other should be into the sea. He should be thrown with a millstone around his neck. This is so because not even his dead body should be seen (floating). Cause(r) of sin should not be seen. Jesus makes such a strong statement against the one who causes. Could this be because the little ones fall into sin because they are prompted to do so and not by themselves?

Sinner should be forgiven whenever he recognizes his sinfulness and repents. Jesus suggests that he be forgiven seven times (completely). Sinner will realize that he has sinned whereas the causer does not realize that he has caused the sin and hence he does not realize and hence the responsibility falls on the one who commits.