Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: Mt 21:33-43

This parable was not totally new to the listeners. Already in the Old Testament the people of Israel were considered to be the vineyard. Psalm 80 and Isaiah chapter five spoke very clearly about the vineyard and the vineyard was the people of Israel. God was the owner of the vineyard. He did everything possible for the vineyard but the vineyard did not produce the desired fruit.

This parable of the Matthew’s gospel speaks about the tenants. These tenants were the leaders of the people of Israel. These leaders did not bother about their duty to the vineyard and to the owner. The leaders ill-treated the servants of the owner. Probably the tenants wanted to possess the vineyard for themselves. Or they thought that the owner would not come back to take possession of the vineyard. Leaders played against the owner.

Theo owner sent his own son to the tenants. The tenants treated him also very badly and killed him. Owner would come to take severe action against the tenants. They would be put to death. The tenants (leaders) are the centre of today’s parable. Leaders have not been faithful to their duty and also they have behaved wrongly in dealing with the servants and the son.

பழைய ஏற்பாட்டில் இஸ்ரயேல் மக்கள் திராட்சை தோட்டமாக உருவகிக்கப்பட்டார்கள். புதிய ஏற்பாட்டில் தலைவர்கள் திராட்சைத் தோட்ட பணியாளர்களாக உருவகிக்கப் படுகிறார்கள். பலன் கொடுக்காத தோட்டம் அழிவை பெற்றது. பணி செய்யாத தலைவர்கள் தோட்டத்திற்கு வெளியே தள்ளப்படுவார்கள்.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 10:17-24

There was a celebration at the completion of the mission. The disciples rejoiced over the defeat demons at the name of Jesus. Name of Jesus is more powerful. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow… Give thanks to the Father in the Name of Jesus etc are the belief and the practice of the early church. God’s glory and the power were revealed in the name of Jesus.

Evil will be overcome at the end. That which goes beyond the end (of evil) is the heaven. So what is more important is that the names are written in heaven. The disciples should celebrate the entry into heaven more than the victory over evil. Shall we say that we should rejoice not because we have overcome evil rather because we have achieved doing good and being good.

தீமை உலக முடிவில் வெற்றியடையப்படும். தீமையை வென்றோம் என்று யாரும் பெறுமைப்படக்கூடாது மாறாக சொர்க்கத்தில் நுழைவாயில் திறக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறது என்பதே பெரிது.