Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Ecumenical Sunday
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! ( Verse 1)
According to The Merriam-Webster.comDictionary, Ecumenical means promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation. On this Ecumenical Sunday we read about unity in Psalms 133 and the blessings that we shall encounter if we live in such unity with our fellow brothers and sisters. 
 Verse 1 speaks about how good and pleasant it is when people live in brotherly love. We all quarrel and have disagreements but we need to overcome those and live in peace. We live in a world where there is war and conflict due to differences in race, religion and opinions. As Christians, we are to bridge any gaps and live in peace with one another. It brings great joy to parents when they see their children loving and friendly with one another. How much greater joy will it bring our Father in Heaven to see all His children on earth live in that same manner? Our Christian duty is to love each other as Christ loves us. 
 Verse 2 speaks about how unity is precious. Brotherly love here is compared to the sacred holy oil that was poured on God’s high priest – Aaron. Aaron was a high priest and had all the names of the 12 tribes of Israel sewed on his robe (Exodus 28:6-14). The holy oil flows down on Aaron’s beard and onto his robe symbolizing that unity is spread to all of God’s people. 
 Verse 3 speaks about dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. Dew falls gently in temperate and moderate air, not in stormy and blustering weather. As a result, if we live in unity, God will pour out His blessings on us, even life for evermore. In Hebrews 12:14 it is written “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord”. God is happy when we live in brotherly love and it is then that He will command His greatest blessing of life for evermore. That should be the goal we as Christians all work towards. 
   
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we live in a world where there is much conflict. Help us to be ambassadors of Christian unity and spread brotherly love wherever we go. 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”

Alice Thomas, St James Mar Thoma Church, NY 

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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