Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Sanctification of the Church – Kudosh Eetho


Samuel K. Samuel
St. Thomas MTC, NY

6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
 

The Mar Thoma Church sets the fifth Sunday in October as Kudosh Eetho, The Sanctification of the Church. The Old Testament reading for this Sunday is taken from 2 Kings and describes the reign of King Josiah, who took the throne in the midst of rampant idolatry and sin. Josiah discovered the law of the Lord and made a covenant before all of Judah and Jerusalem that he and his people would follow the God of Israel. He then proceeded to burn every statue and offering that was given to the pagan gods, renouncing them completely.
           The world we live in today is very reminiscent of the one Josiah found himself in. Everyday we are faced with examples of unwholesome language, sexual immorality, substance abuse, etc. Yet much like Josiah, it is in this sin-riddled environment that we, as a Church, are called to live according to the will of God.
           Peter speaks of this mission in his letter to the newly converted Jewish and Gentile believers. In this passage, he reminds them that although they once participated in earthly desires, they are now a new creation in Christ and have been freed to live according to His commandments. Living in such a manner is in direct conflict with the culture of the world. In following the will of God, we set ourselves apart from the sin of the world to be used for the purposes of the Kingdom. Essentially, we sanctify our spirits to be aligned with the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
           In our Liturgy, as the priest blesses the bread, he says, “Holy things for holy people.” We respond by affirming that only the Triune God is holy. And yet, in His great mercy and love, God invites us to join Him at the Communion Table. We are sanctified, made pure and holy, not by our own efforts but by the redeeming power of Christ’s great sacrifice. It is this redemption that assures that even when our bodies wither away, our spirits will live eternally with Christ. May God bless us to live sanctified lives according to His will.

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, we praise You for You are a Righteous Judge. We confess that we are tempted by the desires of our flesh and we ask for Your forgiveness. We thank You that by Your love, we are made new creations. Help us to live sanctified lives and follow Your will for our lives. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Holy things for holy people.” As a sanctified church, how can we live like holy people?

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