Breaking the Word

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.

GOSPEL READING: Mt 25:31-46

This story does not need further explanations. The message is obvious. Jesus speaks about the final judgment. Justice is one of the central themes in the Jewish as well as Christian traditions. It is very difficult to define, explain and the working of justice. God is just. This God wants justice to be done and justice to rule over the land.

Justice does not mean simply punishing the evil doers out (though it will also include that); it means bring the whole humanity, the whole world into its original balance. This takes us back to the idea of creation. God created the world and he had his purpose for each one of creation. Evil entered into this creation and upset the creation. Now the world will have to be put to rights.

Coming of the kingdom and working of the kingdom is doing this justice in the world. Jesus who is exalted after his suffering and death has been given a position of honour. This story tells us how this just rule will be exercised. One way of exercising justice or bring balance back into humanity is by taking care of the least of the brethren. Every time when one cares for the least of the brethren the he works towards justice.

நீதியை நிலைநாட்டுவது இறையாட்சியின் குறிக்கோள். நீதியின் விளைவு சமத்துவ சமுதாயம். சமத்துவத்தை நிலைநாட்ட சமுதாயத்தில் உள்ள ஏழைகள், துன்பப்படுவோர், ஒதுக்கப்பட்டோருக்காக உழைப்பது.