Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana


Rev. Denny Philip
Diocesan Secretary

“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
 

The synoptic gospels, the first three gospels, narrate the story of Jesus celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples. The passage vividly narrates event as well as clearly expresses the faith of the early Christian community who participated it.
The Holy Qurbana as the foretaste of the Kingdom: The sacrament of Holy Communion is an experience where Jesus offers the foretaste of the kingdom which was the content of the teachings of Jesus. Kingdom was not only a futuristic experience. In their times of struggle, the early Christian community was able to experience the future in the present. It is this experience of the future in the present that gives hope and enthusiasm to the present life.
Holy Qurbana as the enactment of celebration on the cross: In the sacrament of Holy Communion, the Christian community participates in the life of Jesus. Taking the bread, thanking, and breaking and giving point to the life of Jesus which He allowed to be taken by God, glorified, broken for the world and given for the life of the world. The prayer that Christian community offers is that God take me, bless me break me and give me to others that through our life, God incarnates.
The Holy Qurbana as the dedication to be the sacrament of God: While the sacrament becomes the means through which we experience Grace, the participants are intended to be the sacrament that channels Grace to the world. The blessing of participating in the communion shall not be limited to the good feeling after the communion. It is in the process of our growth that we become the sacrament .
The Holy Qurbana as the celebration of Life: Jesus was celebrating Passover knowing the impending separation and suffering. Once He understood the meaning and purpose of His life, Jesus is able to keep smiling at the most painful experiences of His life. That is what made His life a celebration and that is what challenges us to face life and make it a celebration.

PRAYER

Gracious God, Help us to grow and mature in faith so that we become the sacrament to the world. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”  Stephen Grellet 

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