Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Holy Qurbana: Sacrament of Thanksgiving

1 Corinthians  11: 23-30
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
 1 Corinthians 11: 28
 
Every year before going for an annual blood test I need to prepare myself by not eating and drinking from midnight till morning. This gives a more accurate blood result. In the same way here, Paul tells us that we need to examine ourselves before taking Holy Communion. In Holy Qurbana we receive the Blood and Body of Christ which is Holy; therefore, we need to prepare ourselves to receive this sacrament by confessing our sins to God.

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now let us settle the matter says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” So, confessing our sins to God at church with achen and in our personal prayer prepares us to come to receive Holy Communion.

We also need to remember that we are in the presence of the almighty God. Think, if we were standing in front of the President of the United States, it doesn’t matter what happens we will keep our attention on the president. In the same way, when we are accepting Christ through Holy Communion in bread and wine, we need to participate in it wholeheartedly with reverence.

 
Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for giving us the gift of Holy Communion. Please help us to examine ourselves and to participate in it with utmost reverence so that we can be a living testimony for you. Amen

Thought for the Day
Make Holy Communion a part of your life as Holy Communion is a gift Jesus gave us before He went to heaven. We believe that once the priest blesses the bread and wine it becomes the Body and Blood of Christ which helps to heal our body, mind and spirit and strengthens us to live a Christian life.

 

Mrs. Biji Varughese, St. Andrews MTC, Yonkers, NY

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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