Breaking the Word

Martha, Saturday  – 29^th July 2023 — Gospel: Jn 11,19-27

Martha as loving disciple

As soon as Martha heard the arrival of Jesus, she ran to him to give an affectionate and warm welcome. It is her love for Jesus that made her do so and even request Jesus to do something for her brother after his death. Jesus too loved Martha, Mary and others and manifested with His visit to their house in Bethany. Martha had deep faith in Jesus and hoped that the Lord would cure her brother while he was on his deathbed. But to her and everyone’s surprise, Jesus goes one step further and raises the dead man to life. Through the example of Lazarus, Jesus explains God’s love that is associated with life beyond. Death is only a transition to a higher life. Through resurrection one enters into a new relationship with God the Father, who is all powerful and love. Martha who loved and believed in Jesus made possible this mystery of resurrection here on earth. For which she could be presented as a loving disciple of Jesus.

16^th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 28^th July 2023 – Exodus 20,1-17; Mt 13,18-23

Core of Covenant Relationship

The first reading presents the revelation of God’s commandments to Moses and Israelites. After they arrived at the foot of Mt.Sinai, in order to establish a special relationship, God gave them the Ten Commandments. They are the laws dealing with matters of worship and moral behaviour. Many of the Ten Commandments can be observed by doing nothing – not killing, not stealing, not committing adultery. The essence of the commandments is meant to enhance the covenant relationship which God has established with his people. In giving these commandments, God is not trying to restrict People’s freedom, but to give them the freedom to worship God and show God’s loving care for the other members of the community. The Decalogue is the core of the Mosaic Law and hence it is put at the beginning. Similarly, in Matthew’s Gospel, the Beatitudes hold an analogous position in the New Law. As an instruction and deterrent, the Decalogue is still valid in the New Law, but Jesus pushes its interpretation to a much deeper level. Anyone who consciously lives the Beatitudes can simply forget about the Decalogue. The Decalogue is primarily based on the observance of law; the Beatitudes are based on love.