Breaking the Word

8^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 28^th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 10,17-27

Letting Go ‘One Thing’ for Many

The man who runs up and kneels before Jesus clearly has an urgent question burning in his heart. He has lots of possessions and got himself trapped in an illusion of the worldly security of power and money instead of eternal security of God. The various expression used in this passage – “inheriting eternal life” (v.17), “having treasure in heaven” (v.21), “entering the kingdom of God” (v.23), and “being saved” (v.26) – are all different ways of expressing the fullness of life that Jesus has come to give to those who choose to receive it. The man has been faithful to the commandments of the Lord and devotedly follows them from his childhood. Yet, his righteous life could not merit him eternal life. Jesus recognizes that the ‘one thing’ the man lacks is detachment from his “many possessions” (vv.21-22).  He lacks total dependence on God alone, who gives eternal security for ever. The cost of discipleship demands, the cost of letting go of that ‘one thing’, which many of us consider more valuable than holding on to God completely.

8^th Sunday in Ord. Time – 27^th February 2022 — Gospel: Luke 6,39-45

Making Right Choices

The sermon on the plain concludes with a series of parabolic lessons in which Jesus challenges his disciples to take his words seriously and to examine their own lives in the light of his teachings. Luke gives a different meaning to these sayings by referring to one’s pure conscience. The images are all in pairs: the teacher and the disciple; the speck in the neighbour’s eye and the log in one’s own eye; the good and the bad tree; and the good and the evil person. Through these images, Jesus urges his followers to be hesitant to judge and condemn others and be quick to forgive and show mercy.

Each of these illustrations challenge the readers to make a right choice; a choice that is not difficult if one sees what is at stake. The proverb about the blind leading the blind demonstrates that a teacher needs clear vision before leading others in the way. Before we can be qualified to help others, we must look at ourselves first. When we see clearly, we are able to deal sensitively with others and serve them with truth and compassion. The images of the good and the bad trees illustrate how the fruit that we produce in life reflects what is at the core of our being. Each good person purifies his mind and spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits. The words and the deeds that we express indicate the spiritual condition of our lives.