Breaking the Word

I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. "Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." (Lk 12:8-12)

 

 

Today’s reading speaks about acknowledging, denying, speaking against, blaspheming etc. All these words seem to have a shade of meaning on loyalty or belongingness. In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and the people of Israel was founded on covenant relationship. Loyalty was the basis on which this relationship was built.

 

Anyone who sees the work of Jesus and denies or misunderstands him may be forgiven because he may repent and realize the truth afterwards. But anyone who denounces the work of the Holy Spirit is cut off and he will not benefit from that work.

 

Loyalty is required from disciples. Today’s reading is a challenge to all casual, half-hearted, relaxed disciples (Christianity). God knows and cares about the smallest details of our lives. God wants dedicated and single-minded discipleship. 

Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Lk 12:1-7)

 

 

Whom should one be afraid of? It is not the one who kills the body. Romans are in the country and soon they will take over the land. The people were afraid of this. The land that was a gift from God and it was due to the fulfilment of the promise made by God to Abraham. The Romans were about to destroy the land and the people. Jesus says that they should not be afraid of them.

 

They should be afraid of the one who will throw them in Gehenna. Gehenna was the name of Jerusalem’s smouldering rubbish-heap. This term was also used as an image of hell-fire.   Will God’s judgement throw one into Gehenna? Should we be afraid of God? Is He the enemy to be afraid of?

 

The disciples of Jesus should stand firm with trust in God. Nothing can escape the notice of God. Every small bird (creature) is under the guidance of God. Even the hair of the head is counted. God’s care is so. Nothing escapes or can escape the care and protection of God.