Breaking the Word

Now someone approached him and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?" He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."  He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, " 'You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother'; and 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mt 19:16-22)

It is enough to keep the commandments to enter into life. Yes, commandments are life oriented.  Observing the commandments are sufficient enough to lead one to life. Here, interestingly Jesus answers the question of the young man. When the young man questioned him regarding the commandments Jesus replied narrating the commandments one by one. Jesus implied that the observing of these commandments would lead him to life.

But to be perfect, there is need for much more. Observation of the commandments would not be sufficient to make one perfect. Perfection comes only by giving up things of this earth and building up treasures in heaven. Does this mean that earthly things do not help one to be perfect? Earthly things are only to help to live in this world.

Commandments are good in themselves and they are helpful to achieve life. Perfection and following of Jesus need, to leave behind the things of this world. Earthly things are in no way useful in the other world. Attachment to God and following of Jesus are the key to perfection.

  During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?…

Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour…

 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.(Lk1:39-56)

Two 'mothers-to-be' celebrate. A beautiful scene created by Luke. The babes in the wombs recognize each other (!!!) and they too rejoice. What would have been the reason for such a joy and celebration? Could it be a celebration for life? Mothers coming together were certainly to greet each other about their motherhood. There is joy in being a mother and there is joy in bring forth life and the celebration is even before birth.

It is a celebration about God and his activities. Yes every celebration should centre on God. Everything that happens is the work of God and in fact everything that happens is a miracle of God. Certainly the births of John and Jesus were miracles of God. God is the source of celebration and God is the reason for celebration and God actions are for celebration and God’s presence is the celebration.

Song of Mary echoes the celebration very well. God’s long promised revolution is taking place in their times. Victory over the powers of evil is taking place. It is giving hope to the hopeless (Elizabeth). Power-brokers, money-makers etc are toppled. It is a celebration of God. God has taken the initiative and God is the ultimate reason to celebrate.