Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 19:16-22

God is the only one who is good. No one on earth is good. All what God has created was good. God has shared his goodness with all his creatures. However the created things are not completely good. They have their limitations. They have their shades of evil in them (Rom 7:23 but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members).

Man who is caught up between good and evil lacks only one thing. Perfection comes only through selling all the wealth and shares them with the poor. Man who is good and bad becomes perfect (completely good) only through sharing the wealth with the poor. Association with the poor is the way to perfection and this should be followed by becoming the disciple of Jesus.

மனிதன் நிறைவுள்ளவனாவதற்கும் அல்லது நல்லவனாவதற்கும் ஒரே ஒரு வழிதான் உண்டு. ஏழைகளோடு தன் உடைமையை பகிர்ந்து கொள்வதன்வழியாகத்தான்.

GOSPEL READING: Mt 15:21-28

Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. But when his disciples questioned him he answered them promptly. Was Jesus silent to the Canaanite woman because she was a foreigner? Whatever might be he ignored her. Ignoring is one way of saying that one is not wanted or one is not happy with the person etc. Jesus clearly does so as we see it at the end of the scene.

Disciples came forward and pleaded for her. Jesus’ answer seems to be so divisive. He speaks in exclusive language. There must be a reason for it because he came to build a kingdom that was all inclusive. But the language that Jesus uses in this context is very offensive to the listener. Jesus clearly shows that both she and her daughter do not belong to him.

The woman continues to plead and the answer given by Jesus is more offensive to say the least. He indirectly calls her a dog. (Dog is the animal that goes back to its vomit. 2Peter 2:22. Probably she will return to her religion after the healing…). She expresses her faith clearly in front of all. She indirectly says that the benefits reach even those who are outsiders. Faith makes all things possible. Faith overcomes all the negative expressions of ignoring, being divisive and insulting. A person of faith will overcome all hurdles in relationship.

கானானியப் பெண் ஒருவர் இயேசுவிடம்; வந்து உதவி கேட்கிறாள். ஆனால் யேசு அவரிடம் ஒரு வார்த்தைகூட மறுமொழியாகச் சொல்லவில்லை. மீண்டும் சீடர்கள் வந்து அவளுக்காக பரிந்துபேசும்போது இயேசு பிரித்துப்பேசுகிறார். இறுதியாக அவளை நாய்க்கு ஒப்பிட்டு பேசுகிறார். விசுவாசம் உள்;ள ஒருவருக்கு இவை எல்லாம் தடைகள் அல்ல.