Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 20:1-2.11-18

According to the gospel of John, Mary of Magdala showed herself first at the tomb. She was waiting for the Sabbath to be over. She rushed to the tomb first. It was shocking for her to see the tomb empty and stone at the entrance rolled. She expected to see everything intact as she left had left the tomb at the beginning of Sabbath.

On the first day of the week she came to the tomb twice. First she came and saw the tomb empty and ran to inform the disciples. Then she came again with the disciples but she stayed on after the disciples had left. Her desire along with determination and her physical staying at the tomb made her the first witness of the resurrection.

மரியா இரண்டு முறை கல்லறைக்கு வருகிறாள். முதல்முறை வந்து கல்லறை வெறுமையாய் இருப்பதைக்கண்டு சீடர்களிடம் சென்று கூறுகிறாள். மீண்டும் வந்து கல்லறைக்கு வெளியே நின்று அழுதுகொண்டிருந்தார். இயேசுவை காணவேண்டும் என்ற விருப்பம்> அவளுடைய ஆர்வம்> விடாமுயற்சி போன்றவை அவளுக்கு உயிர்த்த இயேசு அனுபவம் கொடுத்தது.

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 12:1-8

Jesus’ understanding of Sabbath-day is different from the Jewish teachers. Jesus says that the works of necessity and mercy are to be done on the Sabbath-day. Jewish teachers had superstitious and corrupted notions of Sabbath-day teaching. The disciples were walking on the Sabbath-day and surely it was a walk towards (or from) the synagogue (and not an idle walk).

Jesus uses an ancient tradition from the life of David (1Sam 24:5-9) wherein David ate the show-bread which by the law was meant only for the priests (Lev 24:5-9). It was because of necessity that the priest gave to David and those who were with him. What was done at the time of necessity may not be done at another time. (e.g. Thieves are not despised who steal only to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry (Prov 6:30)

ஓய்வு நாளைப்பற்றிய இயேசுவின் புரிதல் வித்தியாசமானதாக இருந்தது. ஓய்வு நாளின் ஒழுங்குகள் மனிதனின் அடிப்படைத் தேவை நேரத்திலும் இரக்கம் காட்டவேண்டிய நேரத்திலும் ஒதுக்கி வைக்கலாம்.