Week 14 of the Church year
വാങ്ങിപ്പോയ സകല വിശ്വാസികളുടെയും ഞായർ
The Church remembers everyone who has died in the faith. Jesus tells his little flock not to be afraid, and to keep their lamps burning like servants waiting for their master to come home.
Jesus tells his disciples not to fear, because the Father is giving them the kingdom. They should store treasure in heaven and be ready like servants waiting with lamps lit. A master who finds them ready will serve them himself.
The last Sunday before Great Lent is for all who have died in the faith. The Church remembers them before it begins the fast.
In this parable the master comes home and serves his servants at table. That is the hope we hold for those who have died.
ഈ ഞായറാഴ്ചയുടെ വായനകൾ
Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.
The hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God.
Jacob dies, and Joseph and his brothers carry him home to be buried.
I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
Hezekiah’s prayer when he thought he would die, and his thanks when he was spared.
[NOTE: add once the reference is checked]
The tongue is small but can set a whole forest on fire.
Christ has been raised, the first fruits of those who have died.
Do not be afraid, little flock; keep your lamps burning. This is the Gospel of the day.
Open in five scenesJacob dies and is carried home to be buried. God promises to shepherd his scattered sheep himself, Hezekiah prays when he thinks he is dying, and Paul calls Christ the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
References follow the official lectionary of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Your parish may read them in a different order.
Pick a scene to see what happens in it and what is easy to miss.
Your Father is glad to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make purses that do not wear out, a treasure in heaven, because where your treasure is, your heart will be.
Jesus speaks gently here: “little flock”. The command to let go of possessions comes after the promise, not before.
Be dressed for action with lamps lit, like servants waiting for their master to come home from a wedding. Blessed are those he finds awake. He will put on an apron, seat them at table and serve them.
No master in that world served his servants. Jesus does exactly this at the Last Supper (Luke 22:27).
If the owner knew when the thief was coming, he would not let his house be broken into. Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
The same picture is used in last week’s Gospel for the departed priests.
Peter asks who the parable is for. Jesus answers with a story of a faithful steward who feeds the household, and one who abuses the servants and is caught when the master returns.
Jesus does not answer Peter directly. The parable answers: it is for whoever has been trusted with something.
The servant who knew what the master wanted and did not do it will be judged more severely. To whom much is given, much will be required.
Jesus judges by what each person knew and was given, not by one standard for all.
The verse to keep
“ചെറിയ ആട്ടിൻ കൂട്ടമേ, ഭയപ്പെടരുതു; നിങ്ങളുടെ പിതാവു രാജ്യം നിങ്ങൾക്കു നല്കുവാൻ പ്രസാദിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.”“Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
നമ്മുടെ നിക്ഷേപം ഉള്ളേടത്ത്
On this Sunday every family brings its own list of names. Grandparents, parents, perhaps a child or a friend who died too soon. The Church gathers them all into one prayer before Great Lent begins. It does so with a Gospel that begins: do not be afraid, little flock.
Jesus tells a strange story. Servants wait up late for their master. When he finally comes home and finds them ready, he does not sit down to be served. He ties on an apron and serves them. That is the picture of heaven he gives us: the Lord himself at the table, caring for those who waited for him.
Our treasure is often where our grief is. The people we loved and lost hold a part of our hearts. Jesus says to keep that treasure in heaven, where it cannot be stolen. Praying for the departed is one way we do that. It keeps our hearts pointed towards the place where they are waiting, and where we hope to see them again.
കുടുംബമായി സംസാരിക്കാം
Who in our family has died whom we would like to remember tonight? Share one memory of them.
Two minutes after the audio. Everyone gets a turn, and nobody is interrupted.Write the names of your family’s departed on a slip of paper and give it to the priest for the Thubden, or visit a grave and pray there.
Lord, give rest to all who have died in faith, especially those we name before you now. Keep their memory in our hearts, keep our lamps burning, and bring us together again at your table. Amen.
The whole year
Every Sunday of the Church year, season by season: readings, the Gospel and a question for the family.
Sunday 2 of 2 in Remembrance of the departed