Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 18:1-5,10

Usually the disciples discussed these types of questions (“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”) among themselves. Since this question was regarding the kingdom they asked Jesus. The disciples were not familiar with the kingdom. Jesus reply was quite shocking. Greatest and child do not go together. The attitude of humility among the child was stressed by Jesus.

Children have their angels in front God. The angels are their counterparts in heaven. Children were definitely members of the kingdom of God because their angels were in heaven in front of God. Could we say that the children are the angels here on earth? So they should not be despised by anyone. They are constantly in touch with God (their angels are in front of God).

சிறு பிள்ளைகள் இறையாட்சியை சார்ந்தவர்கள். அவர்களுடைய தலையான பண்புகளில் ஒன்றான தாழ்ச்சி அவர்களை முன்வைக்கின்றது. சிறு பிள்ளைகள் வானதூதர்களைப் போன்றவர்கள். ஒவ்வொரு சிறுபிள்ளைக்கும் ஒரு வானதூதர் இருக்கிறார். அவர் இறைவன் முன் நிற்கிறார். அவர்களை இழிவாகக் கருதக்கூடாது. சிறு பிள்ளைகள் இவ்வுலகில் வானதூதர்களைக்போன்று இருக்கிறார்கள்.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 10:1-12

Jesus had his plan to visit all the villages and towns on his way to Jerusalem. To continue his mission he had also called the disciples. The disciples were called to follow him wherever he went. Strangely though, here he sent the disciples ahead of him. They were asked to go ahead of him to prepare the way for him (probably).

The instruction given, for their journey, shows that they were going ahead to prepare only. They were not going to settle in any place. They were going to come back soon, probably, to accompany him when he was going to those places. They were sent two by two to be witnesses and also to bear witness to each other.

சீடர்கள் இயேசுவை பின்பற்ற அழைக்கப்பட்டார்கள். இயேசுவின் பின் செல்லுதல்தான் அவர்களின் வாழ்வும் பணியுமாக இருந்தது. ஆனால் இங்கே இயேசு அவர்களை முன் அனுப்புகிறார். முன் அறிவிப்பாளர்களாக> முன் தயாரிக்காளர்களாக> சாட்சிகளாக வாழ அனுப்பப்படுகிறார்கள்.