Breaking the Word – Page 2378 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

25.02.10 FATHER

Posted under Reflections on February 24th, 2010 by

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. (Mt 7,11-12)

Jesus is introducing the Father who gives, and gives good gifts only. And He gives to those who ask him.

The same Jesus tells us that the Father knows what one needs and He gives even without asking for it. (Mt 6, 25ff.) But seek first the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus tells his followers to seek the kingdom and not to worry about the wants and needs. Kingdom should take precedence.

Jesus speaks of the Father who gives to his children whatever they ask. So treat God as a Father. Tell him how things are with you. Ask, search and knock and he will not let you down. This is prayer and this is the underlying message of the Sermon on the Mount.

Relationship with God should be that of a Father and a child. And this is expressed in asking for good things and they are granted by the Father.

Next verse speaks about the relationship between one another. Do to one another what one wants done to him. This again, would be doing good to one another.

We are all children of a Father who is good and gives good things and so we as children of the same Father do good things to one another.

24.02.10 SIGN

Posted under Reflections on February 23rd, 2010 by

"This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. (Lk 11,29-30)

We all need signs and symbols. Many things in the world are understood through signs and symbols. Sign is something that points to something higher. A gift given is a sign of affection or esteem. Values and higher realities are explained through signs.

Jesus’ life and works did raise many questions among the viewers and followers. They were wondering about him. Some believed in him, others questioned him, still others wondered whether Beelzebul was working in him etc.

Since there was no unanimity among the followers, people asked for signs as proofs. They asked for something specific to show that he was what he was.

Jesus did not give any sign as a proof. Jesus did not dance to their demands. However when people asked him in faith for miracles, cures etc he performed them. So whatever was asked for in faith then it was granted.

Here something was asked for as a proof then it was not granted. Signs were to be found in the realities of life and in the events of life. Jonah’s life was a proof and a sign.

Faith would find signs and proofs in miracles and extraordinary happenings but intellectual searches should find signs and proofs in realities, in events, and in persons who live or lived.