Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: Mt 18:15-20

Today’s passage gives us an idea that reconciliation should be taken seriously. Reconciliation is becoming a serious problem in relationship; among brothers, in a family, in a community, in a society, in a country, among nations, within a church and among churches. There is no pretending saying nothing really happened or patching up the problem, or saying that he never really meant it etc.

Reconciliation or forgiveness comes in when something evil has really happened. (no pretension). Reconciliation or forgiveness is that you are really going to tackle the issue. And at the end of it you are really going to love and accept the other without any conditions. This is the reason that Jesus gives the sequences of procedure. The procedure is not mere physical movements. There is an attitudinal procedure underneath the physical movement.

First go and see the person one on one. That needs courage, prayer and humility. Second step is to take someone (two or three) with you. They are to pass judgment on who is really wrong. This is to pass judgment on your own judgment. Again there is a journey of humility and introspection. Finally to the community which probably means a small group. If the brother refuses, then there is no reconciliation because the problem is not faced. In this struggle for reconciliation the presence of God is with us. This is the encouraging part of the passage.

மன்னிப்பு என்பது ஒரு மனநிலை. எந்த ஒரு எதிர்பார்ப்புமின்றி மற்றவரை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளுதல் மனினிப்பு. மன்னிப்பு வழங்க மனஉறுதி வேண்டும் தாழ்ச்சி வேண்டும் ஜெபிக்கும் மனநிலை வேண்டும். மன்னிப்பு ஒரு பயணம் போன்றது ஆனால் பயணத்தில் இறைவன் உடனிருக்கிறார்.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 6:1-5

Jesus justifies his disciples in a work of necessity for themselves on that day. It is said that the Jews are forbidden to do any creative work on the Sabbath. It was because the Lord rested from the work of creation. So they were forbidden to create anything new. Here the disciples were making (creating in a sense) food for themselves.

They were in the corn field. Was it within the walking distance of the Sabbath day? But Jesus argument was from the action of David. David was the beloved of the God and hence he should have been more observant with regard to the rules. Here Jesus pleads the case for his disciples and he does not behave like a judge. Ceremonial appointments may be dispensed with, in cases of necessity.

வழிபாட்டு ஒழுங்குகள் மனிதனால் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட ஒழுங்குகள் மனிதனின் அடிப்படை தேவையின்முன் செயலிழக்கின்றன.