Arulvakku

16.01.2021 — Re-framing Messianic Understanding

1st Week of Ordinary Time, Saturday – 16th January 2021 — Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Re-framing Messianic Understanding

Jesus’ choice of companions upsets the religious authorities who ask his disciples why he eats with tax collectors and sinners. For Jesus, their sharing at table is a visual demonstration that such people were being invited to receive divine forgiveness and to share in the coming of the kingdom of God. They are now redeemed from their sin and entered into God’s kingdom.  However, the response of Jesus consists of a new authoritative teaching and a deeper revelation of his identity. In offering a proverbial saying, Jesus describes himself as a physician with a mission to heal. His mission is not to vindicate the virtuous but to invite sinners to the messianic banquet of God’s kingdom. Thus, Jesus is gradually recasting among God’s people their understanding of the Messiah.