Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Mayaltho – Presentation of our LORD in the temple (Medical Mission Sunday)
Luke 2:22-39
Vs 22 - When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
Today we are celebrating the entry of baby Jesus into the temple. This event is called Mayaltho in Syriac which simply means entry.  Following the birth of a son in a Jewish family, the mother had to wait for 40 days before going to the temple to offer sacrifice for her purification. The firstborn of both people and animals were to be dedicated to the Lord. The firstborn of the people were to serve God throughout their lives. In 1 Samuel chapter 1 we read about Hannah dedicating her firstborn son Samuel to the Lord.

What can we offer to the Lord today? Christ sacrificed himself once and for all and it was the best sacrifice ever offered by anyone to God. His sacrifice completes us (Heb. 10:14). The senior citizens Simeon and prophet Anna from the given passage, waited day and night in the presence of the Lord.  Their wait enabled them to see the salvation.

We need to learn to wait upon the Lord and experience His divine ways in our lives. This wait purifies us and teaches us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Lord.
 
PRAYER
Teach me to wait upon You Oh Lord. Touch me. Purify me. Lord, rekindle my faith with your love. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
 We are called to serve Him. We are his chosen heritage. Therefore we must offer the best and the right sacrifice to the Lord.

Rev. Pramod M Thomas, Bethel MTC, Kolar Road, Bhopal
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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