Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MARK 2:18-22

The Pharisees fasted twice a week (Lk 18:12) and probably the disciples of John also fasted in a similar way. But Jesus was feasting with the disciples (Levi’s house and other places as well). He is feasting with the sinners and the publicans. Any serious religious leader should encourage his followers to do penance.

Jesus has just started gathering his followers and it is too early to begin with penance (Jesus does not deny the possibility or the necessity of fasting for he says days will come etc). Jesus is presenting his way of life to the followers and he is doing it in the easy and understandable and acceptable way. A little later he will ask them to carry the cross and follow and he will ask them to deny themselves etc.

பரிசேயர் நோன்பு இருந்துவந்தனர் வாரத்தில் இரண்டு நாட்கள் அவர்கள் நோன்பு இருந்தார்கள். யோவானுடைய சீடரும் அவ்வாறே செய்திருக்கலாம். இயேசு இப்போதுதான் தனது போதனையையும் பணியையும் துவங்கியிருக்கிறார்@ போதனையையும் பணியையும் புதியது@ எளிதானதும் கூட. பின்வரும் காலங்களில் அவரே கூறுவார்: சிலுவையை சுமந்துகொண்டு என்னை பின்தொடர் என்று.

GOSPEL READING Jn 1:35-42

This passage gives the story of the vocation of the first disciples according to the gospel of John. In the synoptic gospels Jesus himself went around and called the disciples whereas here it is not Jesus who is going around calling the disciples rather they are sent to Jesus or they follow because of the witness of the other. Here we see a different way of calling the disciples.

In the gospel of John we see the following stages through which they are called to be his disciples. They are: 1) witness by someone about Jesus (here John the Baptist bears witness Andrew and John; and later Andrew to his brother Peter); 2) they listen; 3) follow him and search (where do you live); 4) come and see; 5) stay with him. These stages add up to the “calling story”.

யோவான் நற்செய்தியில் சீடர்கள் இயேசுவை தேடி வருகிறார்கள். மற்ற நற்செய்திகளில் இயேசு கடலோரம் சென்று அவர்களை அழைக்கிறார்.