Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

: Ordained Ministry : Call to be Sacrifice

Bible Reading:  Exodus 29:1-9

Key verse:  9

And put headbands on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. ( Exodus 29.9, NLT)

DEVOTION

Our Scripture Reading today is important chapter in the Book of Exodus whereby we read the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. This chapter not only provides the ritualistic instructions but also significance of priesthood and covenant relationship between God and Israelites. 
I have selected Exodus 29.9  as the key scripture verse as these verses  focuses on the priesthood of Aaron and his sons. The priestly garments signifies the role  as mediators between God and the Israelites.  The garments also emphasize the holiness and dignity required for priesthood.  The anointing of oil sets apart Aaron and his sons to serve the sacred duty of being priests for the Israelites.
We in the Marthoma Church have been blessed to receive the services of our Vicars and clergy members  in our Parishes across North America . As the Vicars serve their tenure in our Parishes , we have to understand , that the Vicars are continuing the legacy of the Aaron’s priesthood and their services. Our Vicars are fulfilling the roles as mediators between God and members of the parish . We need to continue to uphold all our Vicars and Assistant Vicars in prayer as they fulfill their divine responsibilities  in our parishes.  We must remember that many of them have sacrificed their lives and taken up the call to ministry to serve as Vicar of our Parishes.  Our support and cooperation will continue to augment their respective ministry as they fulfill their roles as Priest in Our Parishes across North America.

PRAYER

Almighty and Gracious Lord , we pray for manifold blessings on entire clergy that serve in the Diocese and across the Parishes of the North America.  May the Lord equip them to serve in the ministry with diligence and bless them abundantly for their calling in their respective lives. This we pray in the precious name of Lord and Jesus Christ,  AMEN.

Thought for the DAY

“Priestly celibacy is that gift which prepares for life in heaven. Jesus calls His priest to be His co-worker in the Church, to fill heaven with God’s children “ 
Mother Teresa   ( 1910-1977

Abraham Kurien, Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston, Texas.

Popular posts from this blog

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 tel...
Read more

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 wh...
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