Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: Lk 11:29-32

This generation is an evil generation because it is seeking for a sign. The people whom Jesus is condemning are the people of Israel who are the descendants of Abraham. He was a man of faith. He believed in God and he was justified for the same. These people do not believe in Jesus in stead they are asking for proofs and signs.

Ninevites were not the descendants of Israel and yet when Jonah preached to them they did not demand for a sign. They accepted his preaching and converted themselves and were saved. Jonah did not do any signs and wonders for the people to believe; he only preached to them. Non Jewish people (in a sense non believing people) accepted the preaching.

‘Someone greater than Solomon is here’. Jesus presents himself as greater than the wise man of history. People longed to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Greater wisdom is in Jesus. Jonah was a prophet. Prophet of all the prophets was Jesus. Jesus was the prophet and he was the wisdom.

யோனா நினிவே மக்களுக்கு அடையாளமாய் இருந்தார். சாலமோனின் ஞானத்தைக் கேட்க உலகின் கடைக்கோடியிலிருந்து தென்னாட்டு அரசி வந்தார். ஆனால் இங்கு இங்கிருப்பவர் இவர்களை எல்லாம்விட பெரியவர். இவர்களின் அடையாளங்களையும் ஞானத்தையும் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டவர்கள் இயேசுவை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளவில்லை.

GOSPEL READING: Mt 6:7-15

In the ancient pagan world there were many divinities. The people were not sure of what prayer to use which in turn would pacify which god. So they used multiples of prayers and magic words and complicated and long prayers. Prayer of the pagans also expressed the anxieties of the people whether their prayer would be heard at all. Prayers are supposed to remove anxieties and not add more anxieties.

Jesus contrasted the prayer of the pagans with the prayer he had in mind. His prayer was simple, short, and expressed humility. But prayer is one of life’s great mysteries. Prayer is relationship between God and the individual. In relationship word are superfluous. When the presence of God is so real and near then we pass beyond the need of words and time.

Prayer of Jesus provides only a framework. Prayer of Jesus is deeply meaningful and not magical. Prayer is relational (Father). Prayer is to a God who is alive. Prayer is welcoming God’s presence among us (your kingdom come). Prayer is asking God for our needs (He is the creator, provider). Prayer is forgiveness. Prayer is asking God’s presence in the difficult moments of the future (lead us not into temptations). Prayer is belief in redemption.

பிற இனத்தவர்கள் பிதற்றுகிறார்கள். மிகுதியான சொற்களை அடுக்கிக்கொண்டே போவதால் தங்கள் வேண்டுதல் கேட்கப்படும் என அவர்கள் நினைக்கிறார்கள் (1 அரசர்கள் 18:27). உண்மை கடவுளை நம்புகிறவர்கள் அப்படி அல்ல. அவர்கள் தங்கள் நம்பிக்கையை வெளிப்படுத்தல் வேண்டும். இறைவனை புகழ்தல்@ நன்றி கூறுதல்@ கடவுளி சித்தம் நிறைவேற மன்றாடுதல் போன்றவையே நம்பிக்கையின் வெளிப்பாடுகள்.