Arulvakku

19.02.2015 VICTORY OVER SELF

Posted under Reflections on February 18th, 2015 by

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 9:22-25

Jesus reveals the end of his life. He tells the listeners the way he was going to meet his end. People who have seen him doing miracles and have heard him preach in the synagogue and in other places would naturally expect him to be a man of honour and respect and glory. But Jesus is going to face just the opposite of the expectations of the people.

He also reveals to the listeners the way of life of those who wish to be his disciples. His followers should also be ready to deny themselves and follow him carrying the cross. Jesus proposes that the greatest freedom is freedom from the self (ego). It is the inborn tendency to love oneself and the things that belong to him (all the gains of this world). The great victory is the victory from the self and the material things.

ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனுக்கும் கிடைக்கவேண்டிய வெற்றி என்னவென்றால் தன்னையே வெற்றிகொள்ளுதல்தான். இயேசுவுக்கு வாழ்வு என்பது ஒருவன் தன்னையே வெற்றி கொள்ளுதலும் உலக பொருள்கள் மேல் வெற்றிகொள்ளுதலுமே ஆகும். இந்த வெற்றி தன்னையும் பொருள்களையும் இழத்தல் வழியாகத்தான் கிடைக்கும்.

18.02.2015 RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

Posted under Reflections on February 17th, 2015 by

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18

Every religious practice is to build the right relationship: with God, with the other and with oneself. Fasting, alms-giving and prayer are the pious practices of Judaic religion and they were to build right relationship. Fasting stands for one’s relationship within oneself. Alms-giving represents one’s relationship with the other. Prayer speaks for one’s relationship with God.

“O man, he has told you what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8). This verse also speaks of the three relationships. Probably Jesus had this verse at the back of his mind when he spoke of the religious practices.

பக்தி முயற்சிகள் எல்லா மதங்களிலும் உண்டு. அடிப்படையில் அவைகள் உறவை வளர்ப்பதற்கே. இறைவனோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (ஜெபம்)> மனிதனோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (உதவுதல்)> தன்னோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (நோன்பு) ஆகிய மூன்றும் அடிப்படையானவை.

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