Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 9:14-17

In Israel, fast days commemorated the tragic events that had taken place in their history. It reminded them of the destruction of the temple. The disciples of John the Baptist fasted because they awaited the dawn of the new day. Jesus was the new bright sun shine and hence there was no need for a fast.

Jesus in this passage tells us that the old and the new cannot go together. He did not say that the old ways are bad. Old ways have no relevance now. Trying to link both old and new would destroy everything. Times were changing and in fact God’s new world was being born and it was a time of rejoicing and hence there was no need for fasting.

இஸ்ராயேல் மக்கள் தங்களுக்கு நடந்த சோக நிகழ்வுகளை நினைத்து நோன்பு இருந்தார்கள் (கோயில் இடிபட்ட நாட்கள்). திருமுழுக்கு யோவனின் சீடர்கள் வரஇருக்கும் ஒளியை எதிர்நோக்கி நோன்பு இருந்தார்கள். இயேசுதான் ஒளி அதனால் சீடர்கள் நோன்பிருக்க அவசியமில்லை.

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 9:9-13

Religious leaders at the time of Jesus kept themselves away from possible sources of moral and spiritual infection. They were the guides of the people to overcome evil and follow the directions of God. Hence they were very keen on being holy (externally) and keeping themselves away from persons who were considered morally evil.

Jesus considered himself as a doctor. A doctor cannot avoid the situations of infection and sicknesses. A doctor is supposed to be right at the midst of the sick people. He is there to treat them and heal them. If the doctor is away from the sick people then he will never do his job. As a healer Jesus is in the right place.

மதத் தலைவர்கள் தங்களை நல்லவர்கள் என்று காட்டிக்கொள்ள தீய சூழ்நிலைகளை தவிர்த்தார்கள். அதனால் தீட்டு என்று கருதி மக்களையும் தவிர்த்தார்கள். இயேசு தன்னை மருத்துவராக கருதி நோயாளிகளின் மத்தியில்தான் இருக்கிறார். நோயாளிகளை தவிர்ப்பவன் மருத்துவன் அல்ல.