Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 14:1,7-11

Wedding banquet is one of the preferred themes of the parables of Jesus. Here Jesus is not talking about the kingdom or comparing it to the kingdom. He speaks of a civil behavior at the banquet. Civil functions have places of honour and importance. These positions have to be respected as well. Otherwise the organizers will make every one respect the positions.

When we speak of positions, honour, and importance then there is the possibility of mobility. Jesus says that the mobility should be upward. It should start from lower to higher and this will bring happiness and satisfaction. When there is downward mobility then there is embarrassment.

சமுதாய சந்திப்புகள் இடம்> முக்கியத்துவம்> மதிப்பு போன்ற இவைகளில் அடங்கியிருக்கின்றன. சமுதாயப் பயணம் மேல் நோக்கிய ஒன்றாக இருக்கவேண்டும். இதுவே பெருமையைத் தரும். தம்மைத்தாமே தாழ்த்துவோர் உயர்த்தப்பெறுவர்.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 6:12-16

Jesus had a group of disciples who followed him always. They were with him wherever he went and listened to his teaching and served him. Whenever Jesus wanted them to go ahead prepare for his coming they went earlier on to prepare for his coming. The seventy two whom he sent probably belonged to this group. There was a sizable number of people who were his disciples.

From among the disciples he chose the twelve apostles. They were for a special purpose. Their choice was preceded by a night-long prayer. Choosing them as apostles was something special. He discerned the will of God and prayed for them as well. When he came down after prayer he named them. This was not so for the disciples. The apostles had a special character.

சீடர்கள் அநேகர் இருந்தார்கள். ஆனால் திருத்தூதர்கள் என்பது இயேசு தேர்ந்தெடுப்பது. அவரது பணி புதிய இஸ்ராயேலை உருவாக்கி அவர்களை இறைவனிடம் ஒப்படைப்பதே.