Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 

God’s People to be prepared for Witness St. Matthew 5:13-16   Bible is the story of God’s chosen people more commonly known as People of God. In the Old Testament they are the Covenant community while the New Testament know them as the Church community. They were called to be faithful witness to God. ‘Marturia’ is the Greek word used for Witness which means ‘to be a martyr’. Hence it calls us to reflect the Identity that God gave us in any situation.  In today’s devotion Jesus gives two object models for being witnesses – Salt and Light.  Witness not in Quantity but Quality of Life: Those who make food know that the quantity of salt that is used in food compared to other ingredients is very less. Also, the light from a little candle is enough to remove darkness in a room. Hence it is not the amount but the quality that defines its character. Similarly, we are called to live a life that projects the quality of a Christian even if we are less in number. It also teaches us that the little acts of love and kindness that we do within our family, church and society are witnesses to the Love of Jesus. Value of the Witness is realized only in its Absence: Our good deeds sometimes go unacknowledged. And we feel bad about it. But it’s the same with Salt and Light. Seldom do we realize or talk about the salt in the food that tastes good. But we would surely ask for salt when the food is tasteless. Only a dark room would motivate us to look for light. In the same way, it is only in our absence that the act of true love and kindness that we did would be realized by others.  True Witness is an Act of Selflessness: The salt dissolves itself to provide the taste and the candle burns out to give out light. But there is no compromise to reflect their identity.  In the 7th century the Zoroastrian Sasanian dynasty that was threatened by Islamic conquest fled to the Western state of India named Gujarat seeking asylum. The kingdom that was then ruled by Jadi Rana presented a bowl filled with milk to the Parsi group indicating that there was no place to accommodate. The Parsi immigrants put some sugar into the bowl of milk indicating assimilation of their people into the local society. They were given refuge in the land. The Parsi community adapted the culture, language and economic integration of the land while still maintaining their ethnic and religious identity. Prayer Good Lord, thank you for teaching us through the Salt and Light. Prepare us to be true witnesses to your calling. Amen   Thought for the day “Be faithful in small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa   Rev. Shiju Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Baltimore, MD Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church