Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32

This parable is an answer to the Pharisees. They questioned him regarding his link with the tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were socially wrong-doers (they collected tax for the Romans and indirectly they welcomed Roman rule which again indirectly denied the rule of God). Sinners were morally wrong (they did not practice the religion particularly they did not practice the Mosaic religion and the traditions that followed).

The parable which Jesus was addressing them with was to tell them that God was waiting for the return of the sinners. God wanted them to come back to him. He was waiting for them. But the leaders were not allowing them to return nor did they help in any way to help them to return. Instead they tried to prevent them from entering into religion.

பரிசேயருக்கும்> மறைநூல் அறிஞருக்கும் இந்த உவமையைச் சொல்லுகிறார். அவர்களுடைய மனநிலை மன்னிப்பை வழங்காத மனநிலை. ஆனால் அவர்கள் வழிபடும் கடவுளின் மனநிலை வேறு. பாவிகள் மனம்திரும்பி வரவேண்டும் என்றும் அவர்களுக்காக காத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும் மனநிலைதான் கடவுளின் மனநிலை.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 16:19-31

The story of the prodigal son presented to us the mercy of the Father, forgiveness of sin and the working of the grace of God. This story presents us with the wrath of God. Jesus was preaching against the worldliness and the Pharisees were making fun of it. For the Pharisees worldliness (wealth) was a sign of God’s favour.

The tendency of the Gospel of Christ was to reconcile us to poverty and affliction and to arm us against temptation to worldliness and sensuality. This parable presents to us that the poor godly people, whom men neglect and trample upon, die away out of their miseries, and go to heavenly bliss and joy, which is made the more pleasant to them by their preceding sorrows; and that rich epicures, who live in luxury, and are unmerciful to the poor, die, and go into a state of insupportable torment. The parable presents that this world has a reference to the other world.

இந்த உவமை வழியாக நம்மை ஏழ்மையோடும் துன்பங்களோடும் வாழ வழிசொல்லுகிறார் இயேசு. உலக செல்வங்களால் வரும் சோதனைகளை தவிர்க்கச் சொல்லுகிறார். இந்த உலக வாழ்வு மறுஉலக வாழ்வோடு தொடர்பு கொண்டது என்பதும் விளக்கப்படுகிறது.