Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 1:18-25

The genealogy told us that Jesus came into history; he came into a society: into a community. Here the author tells us that Jesus was born to a Jewish family. The couple was betrothed. They were committed themselves to marry and start a family. When Joseph found Mary with a child he wanted to divorce her quietly. Both were religious minded people so that they were ready to listen to the voice of God.

The birth of Jesus was not an event that took place by chance. It was by the will of the Father. This plan of God was revealed to the people through the prophets. This was an expected event (not a chance event). This was in the overall plan of God. When God has a plan, he reveals to the people somehow (even in a dream) so that it is fulfilled.

இயேசு ஒரு ய+த குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்தார். திருமண ஒப்பந்தம் ஆனவர்கள். குடும்ப வாழ்வை துவங்கியவர்கள். இந்த பிறப்பு இறைதிட்டத்தினால் ஆனது. ஏதோ ஒரு வாய்ப்பில் பிறந்ததல்ல இந்த பிறப்பு. இது இறைவாக்கினரால் முன்அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இறைதிட்டம் எல்லாம் முழுமையாக நிறைவேறும்.

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 1:1-17

Genealogy is important for the identity of a person. For a man from modern society this is strange. Modern man finds his identity in his qualifications and in his ability and in his successes. But a biblical man finds his identity in his relationship with the past and the predecessors and vocation from God.

Abraham has his identity in his vocation. God called him and his history began (and the history of the biblical people) with that. David has identity in his relationship with the past and in his vocation from God. Abraham was called to be the first man in God’s history and David was the king recognized by God and called by God. Jesus, following this tradition, becomes the first man of the new history and the first person to be called to be the leader.

விவிலிய மக்களுக்கு மூதாதையர் பட்டியல் அவசியம். ஒரு மனிதனின் அடையாளம் அவருடைய மூதாதையர் வரலாற்றில் இருக்கிறது. ஆபிரகாமின் வரலாறு அவருடைய அழைப்பில் இருந்தது. தாவீதின் வரலாறு அவருடைய அழைப்பிலும் அவருடைய மூதாதையர் பட்டியலிலும் இருக்கிறது. அதேபோல் இயேசுவும் இறைவன் படைக்கும் புதிய வரலாற்றின் முதல் மனிதனாக அழைக்கப்படுகிறார்.