Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
ROLE OF WOMEN IN FAITH SUCCESSION

Luke 1:46-55
For he has been mindful
 of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me  holy is his name. (48,49)
Mary’s song—The Magnificent: The Latin word Magnificat means "to magnify". Mary's song, has the feel and form of a psalm, which magnifies the greatness, and goodness of God, as He sends the promised Messiah.
To magnify God, is to see Him more clearly and communicate Him more dearly to those around us. Mary wants her hearers to open their spiritual eyes wider and see more of God than they already do. Let all of us who have been rescued by the amazing grace and everlasting mercy of God say with Mary" My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!."

This praise song is a jubilant prayer, a humble, sincere outpouring of Mary’s gratitude for God. It reflects God’s power, holiness, mercy and promises to his people. Mary’s song is similar to Hannah’s song (1. Samuel, 2:1-10). Both these songs of praise echoes the theme of God lifting the downtrodden and instituting moral, economic social change (Luke, 1: 51-53)

Mary, a woman of faith: God chose Mary, a young peasant woman, for one of the most important acts of obedience he has demanded of any one. In the scripture, God’s announcement of a child was met with various responses. Sarah, Abraham’s wife laughed and Zechariah doubted. By contrast, Mary submitted when she heard the Angel saying “Nothing is impossible with God”.

How is our faith journey? Do we believe that God is able to do the impossible for us. We ask God’s favor but waver when his response does not seem logical. Our rational mind asks logical questions--why, where and how? Sadly, we have lost our ability to truly believe God’s plans.

Mary, a blessed woman! : Let us remember that God’s favor often does not bring instant success or fame. God’s blessings on Mary, the honor of being the mother of the Messiah, would lead to much pain. Her peers would ridicule her, her fiancé would come close to leaving her, and her son would be rejected and killed. Despite all of these, Mary fully believed in God’s plan.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands apart from all the women in history. Adoration for her is ‘ageless, classless, race less and timeless’. Through famous paintings, statues, art on stain glass windows in magnificent cathedrals, literature and music, no woman in history of the world has been so honored and revered. She was truly a woman blessed by God. As Christians let us pray to have Mary’s submission to God’s will, Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan for her and the purity of he heart to praise God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be what you want me to be In character, actions, and will, For you are the potter and I am the clay- Your purposes I would fulfill. –Fitzhugh

Nirmala Abraham, Philadelphia


Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more