Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 8:5-11

Jesus appreciated the good things. Here he appreciated the faith of the man. The man was a roman officer and he was not a Jew. He revealed his faith in accepting Jesus as the Son of God and his own situation as unworthy in front of Jesus. Though he was a man of position in the society yet he is ready to come down. We see a similar situation in the case of the Canaanite woman.

In the case of the Canaanite woman Jesus exclaimed saying ‘Woman your faith is great’. Here he exclaimed saying that he has not found such a faith among the Israelites. Non-Israelites have faith. Their expression faith is greater or better than the expressed faith of the Israelites. Their faith is seen in their realization of their own unworthiness in front of God.

புpறமதத்தினரின் நம்பிக்கை சிறந்ததாகவும் பெரிதாகவும் இயேசுவால் போற்றப்படுகிறது. தன்னிலை மறந்து தான் என்ற நிலைப்பாட்டை விட்டு இறங்கும் போது நம்பிக்கை வெளிப்படுத்தப்படுகிறது.

GOSPEL READING: Mk13:33-37

This passage is speaking about the second coming of the Lord. Advent is a season to prepare the people for the second coming. All the liturgical readings speak about the second coming only. The readings of the last nine days only prepare us for the feast of the birth of Jesus (first coming). Since the readings speak about the second coming we find in this passage the master leaving the workers and the gatekeeper and goes out of the house.

The listeners (disciples) should be ready to receive the master when he comes. That is the reason the author tells the readers to be to be watchful and to be alert. Though Jesus was speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple its meaning for us is important and it should be grasped rightly. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple is only a foretaste of the judgement that will fall on the whole world. There are no signs here and no advance warning. No compromises and no excuses. One has to be watchful and alert.

No one knows the hour when the master is returning. (“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mar 13:32). Father and son work very closely together (John’s gospel). Jesus knows a great deal, but he does not know this (Mark’s gospel). It is an apocalyptic writing. Apocalyptic writings leave the issue to God. (Man may intervene and propose historical events, dates and timings). Apocalyptic events are with God and no one knows except HIM.

இயேசுவின் இரண்டாம் வருகையைப்பற்றி பேசப்படுகிறது. இரண்டாம் வருகையின் நேரம், காலம், இடம் யாருக்கும் தெரியாது (மாற்கு 13:32). இறுதிநாள் நிகழ்வுகள் இறைவனுக்கு மட்டும்தான் தெரியும். சீடன் தயார்நிலையிலும் கவனமாகவும் இருக்கவேண்டும்.