Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
LOVE SO AMAZING (India’s Independence Day)


 St. Matthew 5: 38-42 – End of Fifteen Day Lent
“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5: 44).
Today we are celebrating India’s 65th Independence Day. We also observe the end of the 15th day lent. We must always remember that we received independence not through guns or through our mighty hands
but through non-violent (ahimsa) religious and cultural movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers, which is the age old spirituality of Indian civilization. In many ways the teachings of Jesus “The sermon on the mount”, greatly influenced Mahatma Gandhi especially he was inspired by the spiritual value of ahimsa i.e. non-violence.
Selfless Love crosses religious boundaries and man made laws: Jesus teachings go beyond the teachings of Pharisees and the existing practices. In Mathew 5 verse 20 onwards, we notice in Christ’s teachings, he says “You heard that, but I tell you” in five places. His teachings surpass the teachings of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law regarding the righteousness. The entry into the kingdom of heaven is not merely on keeping the law pertaining righteousness, but practice “love” beyond the law. We will encounter difficult people in our lives, sometimes we need to set limits but yielding to the temptation to undermine or hurt them in any way is not God’s way.
God’s love is the archetype and paradigm of all actions: What is the characteristic of God’s love? God’s love comes from the inner being, to be performed giving up attachment and desire for fruits, complete renunciation for the fruits of HIS deeds or it is (Nishkama Karma). The intention is only the welfare of others. In Mathew 5 verse 45, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteousness and the unrighteous”. This model of God’s love in action, we must follow in action and dealings with other people.
Not everyone respond positively to us, but we can pray and plan for a more harmonious relationship. Therefore let us set our heart and bend our energies to hold on to the spiritual values and not on the worldly values and be loyal to God, who loves all. During the Gujarat riot when a large number of Muslims were mercilessly killed by Hindu extremists, few Hindus came up showing extra ordinary courage to protect and safe guard their Muslim brothers, exhibiting their Godly love and mercy. In many ways it reflects Jesus teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. As we observe the fifteenth day lent, let us overcome evil with good and hate what is evil. (Romans 12: 21.)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, enable us to abstain from revenge, cling onto what is good, devoted to one another in brotherly love, to keep our spiritual fervor, to find always a space for God in all actions, patient in affliction and faithful in Prayer. Amen.

Rev. Dr. P. L. John Panicker, Toronto





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 wh...
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 tel...
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