Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
ARISE AND SHINE
Isaiah 60

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

Chapter 60 carries the words of the Prophet Isaiah on behalf of God to the total community of Israel.  “Arise, Shine; for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (vs 1).  The intention of God is expressed.  God will remember Jerusalem.  Salvation is the theme.  The text is speaking about the exaltation of Zion and carries an apocalyptic message.  The remnant people of Israel need not feel lonely, desperate or rejected.  God will act for the marvelous transformation of Zion and the community of Israel.

1.       It is a wakeup call for the forsaken Zion. (Vs. 1-7)   The city with the people has to rise up.  God would come to Zion as the redeemer.  If darkness and gloom characterized Zion, the prophet is giving a clarion call to ‘rise up’, recognizing the light that comes with the epiphany of God.

2.       Gifts will flow to Zion to make it unique and prosperous:  (Vs. 8-16)

a.        A joyous home-coming of all the people of Israel (vs4).

b.        Wealth from other nations will flow (vs5,6).

c.        Other nations will come and serve You (vs10,14)

d.       Various offerings will come to the altar of God (vs7)

e.       God’s house will be glorified (vs8,13)
3.       The time of violence, slavery or bondage are over:  (Vs. 17-22)    Zion will now be greater than any former display of magnificence (vs 19-20).  Zion will be acknowledged as God’s holy city (vs14).  Its accomplishment will be fast, but according to the time of God.  When God acts and establishes Zion as his holy place of dwelling, the Kingdom will have cosmic and transnational significance.

This is a scripture portion that is usually read during the parish day celebration.  The called out people of God are reminded that their loyalty to the Almighty God is not in vain.  Parish Day will be homecoming of all the members.  God will make them rich with blessings.  They will become a prominent community in the larger society.  The members will bring ‘thanks offering’ to God and the place of worship will be glorified as the house of God.  God gives the experience of eternity when the existing people of God will live by deep faith and strong commitment.  This will be the grace and blessing of God to the ‘called out people’ who look forward to the second coming of Christ.
Prayer: “In your light we see the light Jesus, full of life, It’s your light that shines upon our world, light our minds. May your light reveal the sin in our hearts, as we humbly, pray in spirit and truth”

 MAR THEODOSIUS +

 

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