Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Remembering and Celebrating Women's Ministry - Sevika Sangham Day
 St. Mark 14:3-9
 

Rev. Shinoi Joseph
Long Island MTC, NY

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her?

This Sunday is set apart as Sevika Sanghom Day. The theme for this day is “Remembering and Celebrating Women.” The passage that we reflect upon on this occasion is one of the best passages to study this theme. Here we read about an anonymous woman who comes to Jesus and anoints Him with very costly perfume of pure nard. Jesus seeing her devotion and dedication says, “Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the world, what this woman has done also will be spoken of in memory of her.” As we remember and celebrate womanhood let us look into this passage briefly and reflect upon the above theme.

This incident happens when Jesus and His disciples are in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. They were there to participate in the festival of Passover. In anointing Jesus, the woman acknowledges Jesus as her Messiah and also prepares Him for His salvific act. It happens in the context when Jewish religious leaders are plotting to kill Jesus. Soon after this incident we read that Judas agrees to betray Jesus for money.

The woman’s action illustrates the following:

  1.       When other fails to see who Jesus is, she comes forward and declares her faith without even uttering a single word.
  2.       Anointing of Jesus with very costly perfume also reveals her true dedication as she gives her best to Jesus.
  3.       She engages in true worship as she offers her extravagant love in offering God her best.
  4.       She is not reluctant to reveal herself as a disciple of Jesus.
For others (i.e. the disciples) her deed seems to be foolish or absurd. But Jesus acknowledges her act as worthy. Jesus says, “She has done a good deed.” Jesus values her selfless dedication. If we confess our faith and devotion to Jesus, He will also recognize us. (St. Mt. 10:32, 33).

There is no discrimination in God’s sight, as He has created both male and female in His own image (Gen.1:27). Jesus always redefined the role of women, empowering them to be His disciples, and enabling them to partake in mission (Jn.4). Mary Magdalene was commissioned by the resurrected Jesus to bear the good news of resurrection to the disciples. So women too have a great role in the mission of the Church by being the bearers of the Good News (Gospel). Just as this unnamed woman who selflessly devoted herself, let us also devote ourselves and our best to Jesus, thereby partaking in the mission of the Church.

PRAYER

Dear God transform our hearts and minds that we may offer ourself and what we have to You. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish;

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

-
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

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