Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Confession: Sacrament of Reconciliation With God and Human


    Genesis 45:1-15

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5
 
If there were anyone in scripture who would have a legitimate reason to be bitter, Joseph would certainly be at the top of that list. Joseph had a legitimate gripe against most of his brothers. After all, he was beaten, stripped of the jacket his father gave him, and sold into slavery. However, when the time came to act, Joseph did not act out of spiteful revenge.
 
In our lives, we will undoubtedly be transgressed against. The Lord’s Prayer lays out a guideline for how we should act towards those who wrong us. As we reflect upon the theme of reconciliation, we have to take into consideration that all transgressions in this life ultimately go against God. Christ teaches us that God’s people are to act differently when dealing with confrontation. If there is an avenue for peace and mercy, then we have to explore it to its fullest. Joseph could have easily acted maliciously towards his brothers when they presented themselves to Egypt in search of food. Our human hearts might even rationalize this as a reasonable course of action.
 
When confronted with the reality of hate and dissension, Orlando Magic basketball player Jonathan Isaac decided to stand firmly on his faith. At the height of the George Floyd riots and Black Lives Matter protests, Jonathan was under pressure from society to kneel for the national anthem and wear a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt in solidarity with his teammates. However, Jonathan decided to tread a different path. In his book Why I Stand, Jonathan goes into his decision, and he explains how healing and reconciliation comes from Jesus Christ. His decision to stand on his faith was met with both criticism and support. As believers, we will have opportunities to grasp our faith tightly in order to reconcile with others and reconcile others to God.
 
The road to real reconciliation begins at the cross. Once we understand the depth of the Father’s love for us, we can open the doors of reconciliation for others. In doing so, we open the doors of Heaven and allow others to behold Christ in all His glory.
 
 

 

Prayer
Father God, we turn to you this day with a heart of gratitude. We are undeserving of the grace that you credit to us. As you forgive each one of us, Lord, create it in us a genuine desire to be more Christ-like towards those who wrong us. Amen.
 
Thought for the Day
One glance at the cross of Jesus Christ shows us what real reconciliation between God and man looks like.


Christin Mathew
Epiphany MTC, NY

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