Breaking the Word – Page 2187 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

26.12.11 PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT

Posted under Reflections on December 25th, 2011 by

But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. (Mt 10:17-22)

Beware of people says the author. Does he mean that we should not trust anyone? Why does he give this caution? People are there to handover one to the people in authority. Disciples are to answer to the people in authority and pagans. All these happen for the sake of Christ. Christ becomes the point of reference and conflict and division.

Disciples are not to be worried about how to tackle these situations. Situations are because of Jesus and God will look into the situations. God will tackle the situations. God will give the answers at the time. Situations of this type are not in the control of human beings. They are in the control of the spirit. Spirit has taken the situations into his hand and he will respond or make the disciple respond.

Jesus name will cause division among people in the society. This division will cut across the families and even brothers will be divided. People will hate the disciples for the name sake of Jesus. Only the presence of God and the presence of the spirit in the world will resolve all the problems. Disciples should have the faith to see God and the presence of the spirit even in the negative situations like divisions and hatred.

25.12.11 JESUS IS FOR ALL

Posted under Reflections on December 23rd, 2011 by

…and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock… The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Lk 2:1-14 )

Luke the Evangelist is trying to picture the scene of the Nativity of Jesus. He gives the historical background to the arrival of Jesus. He speaks about the ruler of the nations during whose reign Jesus was born. Jesus was historical. Then he was trying to picture him in sociological background. He belonged to the clan of David. And this was the reason that Joseph, Mary with the child moved on to Bethlehem, the city of David.

Next he gives a surprise. There was no room for Jesus in the town, in the houses and in the inn. Does the author try to place Jesus out side historical and sociological context? I should think so. Though the birth of Jesus is historical and sociological yet the actual birth of Jesus is outside history and society. He was born were the animals were staying (animal do not keep historical count and sociological references). Jesus is outside history and society. This could be the reason why he is all things to all.

The message is given to the shepherds who are also outside the historical and sociological contexts while they were keeping the night watch. They were one with the nature. They were with the animals but in the open where there was no shelter for them to stay. They were in the periphery of the society. In fact they were nomads. They were outside the society. To them the good news is given. Good news is given to the whole of creation and this is done so by showing outside historical sociological contexts.