Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Ecumenical Sunday

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace 

V- 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop , because he was not one of us.”
John, the disciple, was not happy to cast out the demons by the ministry of others. 
There is a note of frustration in John’s comment, apart from their frustration in their own earlier failure to perform an exorcism.  (Mark 9: 18)
John reports to Jesus that the other people are not in their inner circle and John believed that the man should be forbidden from performing the miracle in the name of Jesus because he does not follow "us."

The apostles were being territorial and trying to protect their greatness in their ministry. The man they saw was not one of the twelve and he was not a part of their company and he must not be allowed to work in Jesus name.

1. Jesus calls the disciples to an inclusive ministry and vision 
Jesus says that even though the man was not in the immediate company, the work was consistent with Jesus' authority and purpose. He was doing the work of God and should have been encouraged and not hindered.
The Apostle John wrote, If anyone says, I love God “ and yet hates his brother, he is a liar. (1 John 4: 20)

2.Jesus states, anyone who is not against us is for our part. (Mark 9: 40)
Here comes the ministry of Ecumenism, and the goal of Ecumenism is to see Christ in others and over time learn to recognize, trust and working through our theological understanding and difference, bring the fruits of joint communion, healthy relationship and joint Mission.

3. Jesus prays for all believers- that they may all be one (John 17: 21) 
Christian unity and ministry are shared life in Jesus Christ.
These are the objectives of the World Council of Churches;
They are the visible unity of one Faith and one Eucharistic fellowship, to promote their witness for mission and evangelism; to engage in Christian services by serving human need and to foster renewed in unity, worship, mission and service.
PRAYER
Almighty Father pardon our sins of disunity through pride, sins against our brothers and sisters of other faith, cultures, people those whom we have oppressed and excluded. Pardon our apathy and blindness to other Christian denominations. In Jesus name we pray Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
                               Promote reconciliation and build peace.                                           
                                             Rev. Dr. Philip Yohannan
                             Episcopal Diocese of New York
                         Christ Church Danbury, Connecticut, USA

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

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

-
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

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