Breaking the Word – Page 2349 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

30.01.11 JESUS & BLESSINGS

Posted under Reflections on January 29th, 2011 by

When he saw the crowds,he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5:1-12)

Jesus was not just a great teacher. He was more than a teacher. He was not telling them to follow few rules that would make them reach the goal that they wanted to reach. It is true that he had taken the place of a teacher by taking his place on the mountain and making the disciples and the people to sit in front of him. He played the role of a teacher but his teachings were totally of a different nature.

Jesus was not pronouncing the timeless truths about life. He was not talking about human behaviour. (Often the mourners go un comforted and the meek do not inherit the earth). He was announcing blessings and giving wonderful news. He was not giving good advice rather he was giving good news. With the arrival of the kingdom that he was ushering in, this was what would happen to the people.

The kingdom that Jesus was proclaiming was going to change everything and bring in a different way of life. The kingdom of God was for the people who were poor in spirit, who were meek, who were peace makers etc. The world on the other hand was working for success and gain and possession. The people in the kingdom were living a style of life which was different. Hence they were blessed and it was the time to celebrate and rejoice.

29.01.11 JESUS & DIVINE POWER

Posted under Reflections on January 28th, 2011 by

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" (Mk 4:35-41)

Jesus not only explained in private the parables to disciples but he also gave to them only some experiences of the divine power. He gave to each according to their perception or need. He took only Peter, James and John and gave them special experiences like transfiguration, suffering at the Gethsamene etc. There were other experiences which were given to all the disciples and there were still other experiences which were meant for all the people. The choice is totally Jesus’.

In this miracle story Jesus is sleeping while the boat is being rocked by wind and the sea. Could he be sleeping? The author wants to communicate that he was not disturbed by the power of wind and the sea. The power of nature was not a threat to him. The divine power which was in control of everything was more powerful than the other. He believed in the divine power.

He challenged the disciples and questioned about their disbelief and terror that had seized them. They were not only in control of the power of nature but they were also men of little faith and hence their belief in the divine power was weak. A single man’s belief in the divine power can save the others as well.