Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Holy Ordination: A Fragrance to Christ
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
 

Namita Thomas
Phoenix MTC, Arizona

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.
 
Ordination is a Holy process where a person is bestowed with the position of religious authority. It is a calling from our Heavenly Father to an earthly person. This passage describes what it was like for Apostle Paul to spread the Word of God even though he was not with Titus. Paul describes ministers as “fragrances of Christ” that spread the aroma of the knowledge of God everywhere. In our Mar Thoma community, there are many ordained priests as well as people taking the initiative to spread the “aroma” or word of God throughout the world. To be ordained and spread the gospel of God is a blessing. God leads those of His calling into a life full of ministry and good hope for all those who choose to believe in Him. Paul says that the “fragrance of Christ” is pleasing to God because it saves earthly people from perishing and brings them into a new, eternal life. As Holy Ordination is only for religious figures, what can common everyday people do? Our job as Christians is to spread the Word of Christ, to be the “fragrance of Christ” and spread the “aroma” of His love, mercy, and second coming to the entire world. In John 15:16, Jesus says: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, so that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should last: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” This verse does not only apply to religious figures- we as ordinary people and ordinary Christians, are chosen by God to spread the Word, and “bear fruit” by succeeding in bringing people to God. Though being Ordained is God’s calling, we all are called upon by God to do good deeds in His name. Paul describes “spreading the aroma of Christ” as a non-profit act that we must do with sincerity in the heart. Many of us may not go through the actual process of Holy Ordination, but as Christians we are Ordained by God to be the fragrance to Christ and spread the aroma of truth.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we pray that You help us to be a fragrance to Christ and spread His aroma to the people around us in our daily lives. Help us to seek assistance from our priests and spiritual leaders in our church to spread Your love and truth through our words and daily actions. Thank you for all the wonderful opportunities You have  given us to know and follow Jesus so that we will be saved and blessed with eternal life. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How are our actions helping to spread the Word in our day to day life? 

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