Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: Mk 9:38-40

Does Jesus belong to a privileged few (so called disciples) or he is for all. Same way one can argue about the name of Jesus, whether it is for a group only or is it for all. Through this episode the author is trying to argue an important point on fellowship in following Jesus. Does one become inclusive or exclusive in following Jesus?

John takes the privileged position and asks for exclusivity. In fact the disciples have the same attitude. Even among themselves they were arguing to find out who was the greatest or who would get the privileged position to sit on the right or left of Jesus at the kingdom etc.

John’s attitude affects many people. Jesus or his name is a gift of God offered to the whole humanity or to the whole universe. No one should be prevented to claim the name of Jesus. Jesus is for all. And those who are for Jesus will always belong to him.

இயேசு எல்லாருக்கும் எல்லாமானவர். அதேபோல் அவருடைய பெயரும். இயேசுவோ அல்லது அவருடைய பெயரோ யார் ஒரு தனி நபருக்கோ அல்லது தனி குழுவுக்கோ கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள தனி உரிமை பொருள் அல்ல. இயேசு மேலும் அவருடைய பெயர் உலகனைத்திற்கும் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள ஒரு கொடை.

GOSPEL READING: MARK 9:30-37

Jesus was teaching his disciples about his death. Jesus was teaching about it. The disciples had to learn about death. We hear that death is a natural consequence or natural event in ones life. It is true and it will be so for most of the people. But if one wants to be a disciple then he has to learn to die. Death of the disciple should not be a natural event but an event encountered by the disciple with free decision.

Disciples did not learn what Jesus was teaching them. They were going about with the natural feelings and wants and desires. Natural tendency is to look for success, growth, post, position and greatness. They were right in going about the way they were as humans. But it is different and to be a disciples and the follower of Jesus. And this is what Jesus was teaching them.

இயேசு தன் சீடர்களுக்கு கற்றுக் கொடுத்தார். சீடன் தன் இயல்புபடி நடப்பவன் அல்ல. மாறாக அவன் இயேசு கற்றுக்கொடுப்பதை வாழ்ந்து காட்டுபவனே. இன்றைய வாசகம் அவர் தம் சாவைப்பற்றி கற்றுக்கொடுத்தார் என்று கூறுகிறது. இயல்பான சாவு அல்ல அது. தானே முடிவெடுத்து எதிர்கொண்டு பிறர்வாழ தன்னையே அர்பணிப்பதாகும். இதை இயேசுவிடம் கற்றுத்தான் ஆகவேண்டும்.