Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana
Exodus 12:1-14
Vs.14 "This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.” 
             The book of Exodus tells us about the salvation history of Israel: from captivity to liberation, capturing their journey in the real world, along with their spiritual journey with God Almighty. The festival of Passover is central to the faith and history of the Jewish community. The Passover was a reminder of how God was with the Israelites through all their experiences, enabling them to be redeemed from captivity in Egypt. The portion discusses the institution of the First Passover, and how the faith community was asked to repeatedly observe this to remember the saving work of God, throughout generations.
            Through the sacrament of Holy Qurbana, we remember the life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We remember God’s intervention in history by sending His only begotten Son, for our redemption. We confess our sins, so that we can be forgiven, and reconcile our relationship with the Lord, which leads to transformation. This is a continuous process as we await the second coming of the Lord.
         After participating in the Holy Qurbana, we are empowered to share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, to the world. Just as the people of Israel consistently remembered how they were saved from Egypt, through the festival of Passover, we as a Christian community need to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through Holy Qurbana (Syriac word for offering), we are not offering an ‘animal sacrifice,’ rather; we are offering our lives to the Lord in the same way He offered Himself to us. That offering on our part is fulfilled through our commitment to him, followed by an active response through our very own existence.
            As a faith community, let us faithfully participate in the Holy Qurbana in a manner which will allow for personal transformation, and a strengthening of our spiritual life and Christian witness in this world.
 PRAYER
Lord God, help us to live a sacramental life and to actively respond to your call. Through our life, help us to bear fruit for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." Are we doing so?
Rev. Dennis Abraham, Youth Chaplain, South East Region

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