Breaking the Word

32^nd Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 11^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 17,20-25

Kingdom is Chronos, not Kairos

Jesus answers the question about the future coming of the kingdom, not only for the people of the present times, but also for those who through the ages posed the same question. In fact, Jesus visualizes about the future to the present and past generations. In his response, Jesus does not speak of the time when the kingdom will come, but speaks about the very nature of the kingdom. He answers the question in two ways.  First, He claims that the Kingdom of God has already begun. It is in the midst of those who listen to Jesus, who is among them now. It is at work for people who have received good news. It is like lightning, which is seen everywhere and by everyone. Those who believe already enjoy this kingdom. It is a kingdom that takes place in Chronos. Secondly, Jesus cautions against false proclaimers of the end times. He says that the end times will not come as a revolution or like the change of the seasons each year. Kingdom does not manifest in Kairos. No human knows for sure when the final days will be. Jesus warns his disciples, both then and now, not to get worked up when they hear about the doomsday. Those who announce that they know the moment of the Parousia are trying to control others and take away their free will. Jesus requests his disciples to live the present moment and to live meaningfully. Obsession about the future doesn’t help us to live fully the life we have here and now. As a sign, Jesus forecasts his own death.

32^nd Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 10^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 17,11-19

Salvation Journey

Luke gives a unique account of the cure of ten lepers, of whom only a Samaritan is shown as a model of faith and genuine response to God’s grace. This passage unfolds the process of salvation in three steps, namely, 1) healing, 2) turning back and praising God, and 3) the prostration and thanksgiving at Jesus’ feet. The probability of knowing Jesus as the Messiah was unsure, but certainly the Samaritan recognized Jesus as a priest, God’s instrument for healing and restoring him. His gesture of falling down on the face of Jesus is true posture of worship and at the feet of Jesus is true place of worship. Faithfulness, healing and salvation make a good blend in this account. Faithfulness is demonstrated in two ways. First, the Samaritan recognizes that mercy has come from Jesus, and returns to thank Jesus, which is a form of faithfulness to God’s mercy that has been made manifest; second, the Samaritan’s thankfulness for his physical healing shows evidence of deeper, spiritual healing, which is true salvation. This account alters once again that Jesus travelling toward Jerusalem, between Samaria and Galilee, is to accomplish the universal salvation that is intended by God for all people.  The boundary lines between who might be saved, leper or clean, Samaritan or Jew, have been broken. Salvation is a journey towards within (Samaritan) and towards Jesus (U-turn). Anyone can experience God’s salvation, if they shout with joy, praise God and walk along the same road Jesus is travelling.