Breaking the Word – Page 2450 – Rev. Dr. Victor Antonyraj SDB

14.07.10 GOD REVEALS

Posted under Reflections on July 13th, 2010 by

At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. (Mt 11: 25-27)

God takes the side of the simple people. He reveals himself to the simple, to the ordinary and to the childlike. Jesus praises God for such an attitude and approach. But why does God hide himself from the wise and the learned? Is it because they seek after God and search God and try to find God within their own knowledge and understanding

Biblical God is a God of revelation. He reveals himself to the people. The initiative is from God. That is what he did with Moses and all the rest of the prophets and Israelites. God chooses people to whom he wants to reveal. The simple and ordinary and the childlike are those who long for an experience of God, the presence of God and the assistance of God in their lives more than the mere knowledge of God.

This revelation is through Jesus. This experience of God is given through the experience of Jesus. And Jesus has revealed himself to the poor, the sick, the sinners and the suffering. God is in Jesus and revealed in Jesus.

13.07.10 DAY OF JUDGEMENT

Posted under Reflections on July 12th, 2010 by

Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you." (Mt11:20-24)

In this passage Jesus speaks about three types of towns. They are: 1) Chorazin and Bethsaida, 2) Tyre and Sidon, 3) Sodom. These three groups of towns are talked about in context of God’s mighty works and repentance. They are also compared among themselves in this context.

Since the discussion is about repentance, we can guess that the people were going in the wrong direction from what Jesus was preaching. Jesus was in Capernaum and the two towns that he was talking about are close to the place where he was. Jesus was talking about a kingdom of peace mercy love etc. But the people wanted to go on war with the opponents and establish a kingdom. So Jesus asked for repentance.

If the people do not repent then the consequences are presented like destruction. Sodom is presented as an example. God’s judgement will be severe on the towns which do not follow God’s ways. Day of Judgement will reveal the relationship of the town to God’s invitation.