GOSPEL THOUGHTS
16th Week – Tuesday
Gospel –Matthew 12: 46-50
"Obstacles
to meet Jesus"
1) The Crowd becoming an obstacle to meet
Jesus
The mother and brothers of Jesus came to meet Him. But
they could not meet Him.
Since a huge crowd had surrounded Jesus to listen to his
preaching they could not reach to the place to meet him. So the crowd became an
obstacle to meet Jesus.
Here It is important point to note that the
"crowd" which is becoming an obstacle to meet Jesus, which has a much
deeper meaning to our life.
2) The Crowd may
represent the following
In the context the 'crowd' represents the many people
who were around Jesus who in a way became obstacle to meet Jesus.
Likewise there are many people, today, who may become obstacles
to me in my way towards Jesus
There are also people who appear to be very close to
Jesus, but they do not allow others to meet Jesus. They become obstacles to
others.
They are like Pharisees who had the key. Neither they
entered nor did they allow others to enter
Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken
away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have
hindered those who were entering - Luke 11.52.
3) Modern meaning for the Crowd
In the present day context the concept of the 'Crowd' can
be applied the "things or Modern Gadgets" which prevent us from
having a direct and close contact with God.
Mobiles,
internet, Whatsaap, entertainment, face book, social networks, serials,
parties, functions and other activities of life may take the place of ‘Crowd’
in my life
The crowd also represents the "Busy" schedule
of the Day. Today All people are busy with so many things. Busy schedule has
become the obstacle to meet Jesus, because there is no time.
The ' Crowd' also represents the so called addiction to
drugs, alcohol, junk food, worldly pleasures and attachment to money.
The 'Crowd' also means, one’s own comfort zone, power,
position, hidden agenda, selfish motives, name and fame. All these become
hurdles in meeting Jesus.
The "crowd" also represents our own
sinfulness and inclination to sin.
The "Crowd" also represents the snares of the
devils.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8.
4) Closeness to Jesus and the Crowd
Those people who came to meet Jesus were his own mother and the brothers
In the relationship ‘Mother’ and ‘Brothers’ have special significance. They
become close to the person.
Even then they were unable to meet Jesus. In spite of being very close
they were not able to meet Jesus.
This also calls us to reflect about the power of the Crowd. Some time
even if we feel that we are very close to God, there may be unexpected things
which may come on my way in meeting and experiencing Jesus.
5) What type of Crowd in present in my Life?
There is no doubt that the goal of our life is to meet Jesus and to experience
him personally
In our relationship to Jesus, we may feel that Jesus is like a brother
to me. This is very important. At the same time ‘is my brotherly approach to Jesus
helping me to experience him or not?
Is there any crowd which is obstructing my relationship with Jesus?
What are the possible ‘crowd’ which may become an obstacle to my
relationship to Jesus?
God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.
Fr Maxim D’Souza
Jeppu Seminary
Mangalore
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