The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Dhyānasallāpaṅṅaḷ: An Example for the Hermeneutics of Chavara
Keywords:
Sacred Scripture, Hermeneutics, Interpretation, Dhyānasallāpaṅṅaḷ, Radical Interiorisation, Contextual Application, Parable of the Prodigal Son, Three Scene Narration, Vernacular Translation.Abstract
This article is an attempt to read through the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Dhyānasallāpaṅṅaḷ, where Kuriakose Elias Chavara makes a synthesis of the Sacred Scripture and his personal reflection. Some passages from it are analysed to find the inner dynamics involved in the way he quotes the Scripture. Chavara’s presentation of this parable in a ‘Three-Scene Perspective’ shows his radical interiorization of the Sacred Scripture as well as a three-fold identification, namely, with the character in the parable, society of the nineteenth century and the culture of the time. He presents himself before God and the community as a corporate personality. We also see that the Sacred Scripture remained his focus and foundation in his reformation pedagogy. It is a paradigm for modern-day pastors. This method of radical interiorization and contextual interpretation is a challenge as well as scope for all those who wish to follow the footsteps of the Word Incarnate.