Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING Mk 1: 29-39

People were coming to Jesus to be healed of their diseases and be cleansed of the evil spirits. People longed to be healthy, complete, and total. Physical health was essential and according to their understanding physical health also was part of the Shalom which God had for them. People were right in longing for this. The disciples were trying to pull Jesus to this ministry completely (“Everyone is looking for you.”).

Jesus was teaching them something which they were late in understanding. Jesus through his life was telling them that union with God and total attachment to God was essential to grant healing. Healing is a divine gift. Through personal and constant and continuous relations with God one can receive this gift.

சுகம் பெறுவதற்கும் முழுமை பெறுவதற்கும் மக்கள் இயேசுவிடம் வந்தார்கள்> சீடர்களும் இதே மனநிலையில்தான் இருந்தார்கள் (‘எல்லாரும் உம்மைத் தேடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள்”). ஆனால் இயேசு நன்கு அறிந்திருந்தார்: குணமளிக்கும் வரம் இறைவனின் கொடை என்று. இறைவனோடு இனைந்த வாழ்வு, இறைவனை சார்ந்த வாழ்வு (ஜெபித்தல்) ஒன்றுதான் இறைவனிடமிருந்து கொடைகளைப் பெற்றுத்தரும்.

GOSPEL READING Mk 1:21-28

The usual teachers were the scribes and the priests. They were the educated ones (learned ones of that time. It is said that there were only three percentages of the people who could read and write at that time). Sometimes the Pharisees (the self appointed scrupulous guardians of the traditions) also taught. These teachers always based their arguments on the authority of Moses and the Rabbis.

Jesus also taught them. He did not base his teaching authority on Moses and other Rabbis. He taught on his own authority. He was the fulfillment of the scriptures. He was the word made flesh (“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”). The authority came from the fulfillment of the scriptures in him.

மறைநூல் அறிஞர்களும் குருக்களும் இறைவார்த்தையை போதித்து வந்தார்கள். அவர்கள் மோசே> ரபிகளின் மரபுகளையும் கொண்டு விளக்கங்கள் கொடுத்தார்கள். இயேசு தன் வாழ்க்கையை கொண்டே போதித்தார் (‘நீங்கள் கேட்ட இந்த மறைநூல் வாக்கு இன்று நிறைவேறிற்று”). இதுதான் அவருக்கு இருந்த அதிகாரம் (நிறைவேறிய வார்த்தை).