Breaking the Word – Page 2293 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

02.03.11 JUSTIFICATION BY GOD

Posted under Reflections on April 1st, 2011 by

He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Lk18:9-14)

Jesus addressed the people according their attitude. Jesus came into the world to proclaim the kingdom and the values of the kingdom. He did not limit himself only to this. He also addressed the problems of the society, religion, and individuals through parables and stories. Here, he addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.

Jesus was not happy with those who were self righteous and those who despised everyone else. Self righteousness and despising others were not the right attitudes for living in a community, particularly in the kingdom community. Both self righteousness and despising divide the people. These make the community unequal. Jesus came to build up a community where all are equal.

Here Jesus gave a parable in which even prayer and practice of religion can make persons unequal. This was due to their attitude. Prayers, practices of piety and worship can divide people and put one against the other. What is important is the justification by God.

01.04.11 LOVE OF GOD

Posted under Reflections on March 31st, 2011 by

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.' And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mk 12:28-34)

Jesus was under constant questioning and verification by the Scribes and Pharisees. They knew that Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom and doing the works of the kingdom. They were not very sure of his goals and principles. They wanted to verify whether he was basing his life and teachings on the word of God.

Jesus answered them well and rightly. Anyone who belonged to God or anyone who was proceeding from God should have the primacy of God in his life. Love of God should be total. God should be loved by the physical, mental and spiritual faculties. God should have the primacy. Love of the neighbour should also be the compelling force of man.

These two practices mount to more than any worship. Israel was turning to be a religion of sacrifices and worship. People began to measure the piety of any man by the external practices of religion which was adding up to be the worship. Jesus placed the love of god and the neighbour before any worship and sacrifice.