Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Carmel MTC, Boston, MA
"Beware of the yeast of the
Pharisees and Sadducees!” 12 Then they understood that he had not told
them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and
Sadducees."
Matthew places this incident (13-16) in between the narrations of the misunderstandings of the disciples. In the beginning of the given passage, the disciples did not at first comprehend what Jesus meant by the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.(v.12). In the later passage, they do not comprehend the passion prediction of Jesus (v.22). Here the writer attempts to communicate the essence of faith upon which the Church, the body of Christ is built.
Matthew places this incident (13-16) in between the narrations of the misunderstandings of the disciples. In the beginning of the given passage, the disciples did not at first comprehend what Jesus meant by the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.(v.12). In the later passage, they do not comprehend the passion prediction of Jesus (v.22). Here the writer attempts to communicate the essence of faith upon which the Church, the body of Christ is built.
Faith: Sharing a community experience: The order of Jesus’ questions is
important. The first question is “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”.
It is not a mere question coming out of Jesus’ curiosity nor does Jesus
discard the answers given by the disciples. It is to be seen as a question from
which faith develops. It is what others believe is the raw material from which
our faith evolves or finds its form. So faith is not merely a private affair
but it always has a relationship to what others experience, perceive and
believe.
Faith: Personalizing the community experience: The second question, “But who do
you say that I am?” is an important and essential advancement in faith. From
what the community believes and from their own experience, a person
internalizes faith. There is a building on the faith of the community. Here a
clarity of understanding of faith develops. What is believed, becomes more
clear, vivid and personal. This helps to distinguish between what others
believe, what I believe and where I stand in faith.
Faith: Affirmation and Proclamation: It is the personalization of
faith that equips Peter to make the affirmation that Jesus is the son of the
Living God. It is this maturity in Simon that makes him Peter (Rock). Church is
built on the affirmation that Christ is the son of the Living God which comes
out of mature faith. This affirmation is powerful enough to withstand the gates
of hell, persecution and misleading teachings. Church is built in the sharing
of the proclamation.
Faith: Divine revelation and Gift: Jesus’ statement, "flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven"
affirms the truth that faith is not an intellectual activity resulting from
human efforts. Instead it is a God given gift. A mature faith proclamation
is possible only when we submit ourselves to the Holy spirit.
Children
through baptism are exposed to the faith of the worshipping community. As
they grow, they more clearly understand, personalize and affirm the faith of
the fathers and mothers and make it their own. This in turn would
qualitatively mature the faith of the community. May the Holy Spirit
works through us that we may become ‘rocks’ on which Church is further
built.
PRAYER
God, reveal to us Your glory that we
may be able to see and understand ourselves more clearly. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Are we building up heaven through our life and ministry on this earth ?
Are we building up heaven through our life and ministry on this earth ?