Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Ministry of the Laity 

 Rev Denny Philip

Carmel MTC Boston
36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

 
Each life is a calling. God wants everyone to involve in the ministry of the Kingdom of God. Life becomes meaningful when we realize this calling and put it in the direction that the creator expects it to be. Whether you are an evangelist, a driver, a teacher or in any other profession, the ministry is never part time but it demands the whole life. Also, ministry is not limited to the office of the church, it is extended to every Christian. The familiar passage of the good Samaritan gives us the mode of ministry.
 

The ministry springs from sensing the need of the neighbor.
 

Ministry does not have a universally stipulated pattern applicable to every situation. Instead it arises from the demand of the environment. While the initial passersby  in the story were preoccupied with their own engagement of the ministry, they failed to hear the groaning of the robbed and wounded person by the roadside. It was not their lack of commitment that prevented them from helping the person but the inability to rise beyond the pattern of service they were following. It was his sensitivity to human need and pain that helped the Samaritan to keep his eyes and ears open to the cry of the afflicted person. We need not go in search of the ministry but it will come to us provided we have a sensitive heart that moves with compassion.
 

The ministry develops through the sharing of the resources
 

Once an avenue of ministry is open, then comes the question of resources. We read, “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” The primary resource for the ministry is not money but an attitude towards one’s own resources. The Samaritan considers himself not as the owner but the steward of his own resources. So he shares his resources with the man in need. He willingly shares his time, food, medicines, vehicle, energy and finally money. He does not limit it to what he has, but what the other person needs. The words, “I will repay you whatever more you spend” reflects this.
 

The ministry leads to healing and wholeness
 

The ultimate aim of the ministry needs to be the healing and wholeness of the creation. Every step taken has to have this end in mind and it will focus and direct the ministry. Rather than a simple act of kindness,  it is the restoration of a victim back to health. Healing denotes not only the physical healing, but in bringing back everything to the state expected by the creator. In every realm of ministry, there is a scope of healing. The incorporation of the innkeeper in the ministry points to the fact that it is not a personal affair but a combined effort.


PRAYER


Lord, instill in us your Spirit that we may be sensitive to the world around us. Help us to be stewards of your resources, so that we may be useful in the ministry you have entrusted to us.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
“Jesus is the Great Samaritan to whom the Good Samaritan points.” – Tim Keller

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