Breaking the Word

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable.

Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation…

because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing…

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'" (Lk 15:1-3,11-32)

 

 

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and the Scribes. Pharisees and the Scribes were pious and righteous and they thought the tax collectors and sinners were condemned by God. They were surprised and in fact they were shocked to see Jesus associating with the sinners. The Pharisees thought that Jesus was a good man (in a religious sense) and hence they did not expect him to relate to sinners. Jesus explains his position though this parable.

 

In any society there would always be these two types of people. There would be those who are loyal, hard-working, spending less, but self righteous and condemning others. There would be those who run away, spending more than they earn or have, enjoying, but feeling sorry when they have reached the rock bottom, wanting to come back, and not seeking any advantages. These two types would always co-exist.

 

The attitude of the Father is the central theme for reflection in this story. The father is waiting for the return of the runaway, welcomes him as soon as he retunes, arranges for the celebration, and pleads for him with the other and puts him back into the original relationship. Jesus takes up this model not only for his preaching (parables) but also for his practice. His attitude towards the sinners was same as that of the Father.

 

 

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.  (Lk 1:26-38)

 

 

Mary was a historical person. She lived in a place and at a particular time. She was also betrothed to a person. She was conditioned and controlled by human situations. However she was not totally earthy in her living. That is to say that her living was also controlled by heavenly realities. She was open to the divine and lived her life on earth with the influence of the heavenly realities.

 

Her openness to the divine was rewarding for her (highly favoured one) and to the people (your son will be Jesus for the people). Openness to the divine is always beneficial. Openness to the divine makes her communicate with the divine through the angels. Hence openness with the divine makes one communicate with the divine and makes him receive rewards from the divine.

 

The rewards could even be such that it would be considered impossible in the human conditions. Divine controls the human situations and does things within human situations which normally would be impossible. Because, nothing is impossible for God. Divine entry into human conditions will make the impossible possible.