Breaking the Word

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.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 13: 18-21

This has been a question in the mind of many who read the gospels. Jesus often speaks about the kingdom of God and he had come to establish the kingdom of God on the earth. Jesus was very clear about it but his listeners did not understand the message of Jesus.

In these parables Jesus told the listeners not to think philosophically or in high flown imaginations. To the simple people, he gave them to understand that the kingdom of God like a mustard seed and the leaven. He was speaking to them in terms of what they were using in day to day life in the kitchen. Probably there were more women among his listeners. Kingdom is simple and unnoticeable but highly effective.

இறையாட்சியைப்பற்றிய கேள்விகள் எல்லாருடைய மனதிலும் தோன்றிக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கின்றன. இயேசு இறையாட்சியைப்பற்றி போதிக்கும்போதும் மக்கள் புரிந்துகொள்ளவில்லை. இயேசுவும் தத்துவ ரீதியாக விளக்கங்கள் சொல்லவில்லை. சாதாரண மக்கள் புரிந்துகொள்கிற விதத்தில் அடுப்படியில் பயன்படுத்தும் பொருள்கள் கொண்டு விளக்குகிறார். இறையாட்சி அவ்வளவு எளிதானது.