Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Ecumenical Sunday
Vs 3. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
The term "ecumenism" refers to efforts by Christians of different Church traditions to develop closer relationships and better understandings. The term is also often used to refer to efforts towards the visible and organic unity of different Christian denominations in some form.
We are all parts of the same body of Christ and no one church takes precedence over the other. But lately many churches have not been dwelling in peace with each other. There is a sense of discomfort, rivalry and tension between the beliefs of the different churches and a battle to prove whose doctrine is right?
Many a times in the culture of our church, we are more immersed in the differences between the beliefs of different churches that we tend to lose the true essence of Christianity, that we are all one in Christ and our mission is to serve and encourage each other.
The Bible warns us in:
Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
In Ephesians 4:4 it says, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Let us meditate on two aspects of this verse:
One in Body- We are one body in Christ. As it says in Romans 12:5,’ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’ We are all Christians, all baptized into the body of Christ. Also, as it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.’ We are called to honor and take care of the body we belong to, keeping aside all differences and welcoming and serving those who need a voice or a helping hand in our community. In these times, when persecution in the name of religion is common, we as a church should stand together in number and voices.
One in Spirit- We, as Christians, are called to live united in spirit. To live likewise, we need to be completely humble, gentle, patient and mature. Sometimes, our thoughts and deeds do not reflect maturity. Paul writes rightly in his first letter to the people of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4,7-9:
3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Let us mature in understanding and grow in Christ and be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit. May we also join hands with other churches in Ecumenism and march onward to the common goal that Jesus handed down to us in His Great Commission in:
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As we are observing this Sunday as Ecumenical Sunday, we are to keep in mind that we are one in Christ abiding as different branches. The joy of the Son will be complete when we love one another and abide in His love.
We are all parts of the same body of Christ and no one church takes precedence over the other. But lately many churches have not been dwelling in peace with each other. There is a sense of discomfort, rivalry and tension between the beliefs of the different churches and a battle to prove whose doctrine is right?
Many a times in the culture of our church, we are more immersed in the differences between the beliefs of different churches that we tend to lose the true essence of Christianity, that we are all one in Christ and our mission is to serve and encourage each other.
The Bible warns us in:
Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
In Ephesians 4:4 it says, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Let us meditate on two aspects of this verse:
One in Body- We are one body in Christ. As it says in Romans 12:5,’ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’ We are all Christians, all baptized into the body of Christ. Also, as it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.’ We are called to honor and take care of the body we belong to, keeping aside all differences and welcoming and serving those who need a voice or a helping hand in our community. In these times, when persecution in the name of religion is common, we as a church should stand together in number and voices.
One in Spirit- We, as Christians, are called to live united in spirit. To live likewise, we need to be completely humble, gentle, patient and mature. Sometimes, our thoughts and deeds do not reflect maturity. Paul writes rightly in his first letter to the people of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4,7-9:
3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Let us mature in understanding and grow in Christ and be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit. May we also join hands with other churches in Ecumenism and march onward to the common goal that Jesus handed down to us in His Great Commission in:
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As we are observing this Sunday as Ecumenical Sunday, we are to keep in mind that we are one in Christ abiding as different branches. The joy of the Son will be complete when we love one another and abide in His love.
PRAYER
Lord, lead us in your ways that we may mature in understanding your will for us in our lives as individuals, as a church and as a Christian community. Help us to be humble to understand each other but also bold to raise our voice for those who do not have one. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
- Psalms 133:1
Mrs. Merry Jacob, St. James MTC, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church