Reflections

Risen Lord in the Workplace Ruth 2:1-18 Rev. Abraham Kuruvilla Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ 7 She said, ‘Please, let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the reapers.’ So she came, and she has been on her feet from early this morning until now, without resting even for a moment.” As I write today’s devotion I am reminded of a Gujarati friend of mine with whom I used to work. His name was Bhavesh. We all used to work in the same shift and for the same salary. But, Bhavesh stood apart from all of us. His excitement, energy and die hard attitude to give his 100 percent in the job was there for all to see. Sometimes, we who were his colleagues didn't like it. We used to think he was doing it to get the favors of the superiors. No, he was the same even when they weren't around. He was consistent in his diligence towards his work. It often reminded me and challenged me to be faithful as a Christian in my workplace. Why are we faithful? Wh...

Encounter With the Risen Lord Revelation 1:1-8 Dr. Jeeji Mathunny Epiphany MTC, NY 7a “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him..."  8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” When you see your Lord face to face, what do you imagine will happen?  If you were asked to paint a picture of what that initial encounter will look like, how would you draw it? I have many images in my mind of what that moment will be like - sometimes I imagine I will immediately fall at God's feet; sometimes I think I will just keep on staring at the Lord, weeping with joy; other times, I imagine I will be singing and dancing in praise, or maybe all three will happen.   Perhaps you don't dwell on what heaven and that initial meeting of God will look like because you are too bogged down with worries of ...

Encounter With the Risen Lord Psalm 40 Dr. Thomas K. Jose MTC Staten Island, NY 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” God delivers us from trouble. The wait may be difficult but we can be thankful for the outcome as we will be able to rejoice and testify to others. Some of the finest men and women of faith found in the Bible were victims of discouragement. David was one of them. Here in this Psalms we see David’s encounter with God and his cry for help. He praises God for His past kindness and help he got from God. David was able to see the goodness of God during the darkest times of his life. David waited patiently for God’s help and received four benefits. 1.Lifted him out of despair 2.Set his foot on a solid ground 3.Steadies him as he walked 4. Put a new song of praise in his mouth. When David cried God reached down with His loving arms and lifted him fr...

Encounter With the Risen Lord Acts 9:1-18 Dr. Thomas K. Jose MTC of Staten Island, NY 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. The Damascus road experience is a great event that we see in the Bible. This is when Saul, a staunch Pharisee had an encounter with the risen Christ on his way to Damascus. Damascus is about 150 miles away from Jerusalem and after Stephen’s death many Christians fled Jerusalem seeking refuge in other cities and countries. Saul was so zealous for his Jewish beliefs that he was keen to bring to chains anyone who was “following the way “. We see 5 reasons why Saul even went to Damascus to persecute Christians: 1. Saul wanted to advance his career and build up his reputation as a true Pharisee. 2. He wanted to prevent the spread of Christianity as Damascus was a major trading town where many foreigners come daily. 3. He wanted to seize the Christians who had fled. 4. He wanted to p...

Encounter with the Risen Lord Genesis 32:22-32 Betty Vattakunnel Trinity MTC, Houston, TX 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” This passage is a familiar one to some and it depicts the moment when Jacob wrestles with God. In order to fully grasp the intent of this story, it is important to reflect upon the life of Jacob from the beginning of his birth. With a name such as Jacob, “he grasps the heel”, to Israel “he struggles with God”, his name signifies his consistent struggle in life. Life was not easy from the time of his birth and it continued as he grew with struggles with Laban, the work he did to marry the woman he wanted after 14 years, and his struggle with his brother. For a long time in his relationship with God, he only referred to God as the God of my father Abraham, the God of my father Isaac (Gen. 32:9), but then he finally through God’s promises to Him, he comes to realize who God...

Encounter With the Risen Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:3-10 Rev. T.C. Mammen Long Island MTC, NY 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul forms his real experience of his encounter with the Risen Christ in Acts: 9 as he was talking to people of Thessalonica. Thessalonica was one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers in the Roman Empire. Many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the faith of the young Christians existed there. The Thessalonian church stood firm when they were persecuted. Paul commended these young Christians for their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the marks of effective Christians in any age. The true confrontation with risen Christ will change us and strengthens us to move forward to face challenges. 1) Faith is moving The gospel came with “power”. Effect o...

Encounter With the Risen Lord John 20:24-29 Julie Vinod Salem MTC, NY 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Easter is when we celebrate our Savior’s resurrection. Here starts the new beginning. Jesus appears to his disciples, but Thomas misses it. Many a times, our life is also like Thomas', we miss many important significant moments in our life. Thomas' life was marked by faith and was willing to die for Jesus. In John 20: 24-29, we see the disciples tell Thomas that they saw the Lord. He refuses to accept this and says, “Unless I put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Thomas is frustrated and uncertain, basically in doubt. But God uses a heart that is open to him. So He comes and stands in front of Thomas and shows him the nails holes in his hands and the wound in his side. After Jesus reveals to him, he calls him “My Lor...