Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 20:17-28

Jesus answers the mother but the content of the answer is addressed to the sons (disciples). In his answer he reproves the ignorance and error of their request. They dreamed of a temporal kingdom but Christ’s kingdom was not of this world. They did not know what it was to sit on the right and left of the Father.

The disciples thought, when they had left all what they had for Christ, and had gone about the country preaching the gospel of the kingdom, all their service and sufferings were over, and it was now time to ask, What shall we have? As if nothing were now to be looked for but crowns and garlands; whereas there were far greater hardships and difficulties before them than they had yet met with. They imagined their warfare was accomplished when it was scarcely begun.

சீடர்கள் இயேசுவோடு பயணித்து இறையாட்சியை போதித்திருக்கிறார்கள். புதுமைகள் ஒருசில செய்திருக்கிறார்கள். துன்ப துயரங்களில் அதிகமாக இன்னும் பங்கேற்க வில்லை. அதற்குள் அவர்கள் பலன்களை எதிர்பார்கிறார்கள். பலன்களை எதிர்நோக்கி வாழ்வது இறையாட்சிப்பணி வாழ்வு அல்ல.

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 23:1-12

Jesus is addressing the people and the disciples and he is talking to them about scribes and Pharisees. He is criticizing them on their behavior. He says that they people of double standard: they say one thing but do another. Their double standard was seen even in their exercise of power and authority. They were more strict and severe than God himself but they themselves would not do what they demand from others. All their good works were for a show and they were not real. They also loved to show their superiority.

The disciples should be beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. There should not be two standards in their speaking, living, doing and following. All the disciples are equal and the only differentiating element is God. God is the only Other. All the rest are brothers and equal and there is no distinguishing of brothers as great and small etc.

மறைநூல் அறிஞரும் பரிசேயரும் இரு வழிகளை பின்பற்றுகிறார்கள். அவர்கள் பேசுவது ஒன்று ஆனால் செயல்பாடு மாறுபட்டு இருக்கிறது. அவர்கள் மனதில் இருப்பது ஒன்று வெளிஅடையாளம் வேறு. அவர்கள் விரும்புவது ஒன்று ஆனால் அவர்கள் வாழ்க்கை வேறுபடுகிறது. சீடர்கள் அவ்வாறு இருக்கக்கூடாது.