Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Visit of Mary to Elizabeth- Sharing the Good News

 Psalm 146: 1-10

 “Praise the Lord, oh my soul.” (v.2)

Psalm 146 is book-ended by the phrase “Praise the Lord”. But what does praising God really mean? To acknowledge the place God holds in our lives, to give Him glory, or to recognize that He is the source of every blessing and goodness. In Hebrew, the phrase is Hallelu- (praise) Yah (short for Yahweh or “the Lord”). The first verse summons us to praise from our soul. So we shouldn’t utter it in vain or mindlessly, but mean it from the very depth of our beings. We are called to pause and intentionally reflect on God’s goodness.
Verse 2 begs us to praise God unceasingly. But how often do we go the whole day without praising God, and instead, think of all the things that went wrong? I know I am guilty of that. We have to be intentional about turning our complaints into praise. When we train our minds and remember to praise God and give Him thanks, He fills us with His joy. The negative mindset turns into a positive and life-giving one. Giving God praise is not conditional. We don’t just praise God when it’s convenient and when things are going our way. We praise God also in times of trouble. Even when Mary, the mother of Jesus, goes through a challenging time where her reputation is put to question, she humbles herself and gives praise to God as is seen in Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55).
The psalmist contrasts God’s timelessness with the limitation and finiteness of earthly rulers and leaders. Human rulers and Kings come and go, but “The Lord reigns forever” (verse 10) so our trust should favor the Lord. There is also another paradox highlighted in this Psalm. The God of the universe takes the time and attention to care for the vulnerable and marginalized in our society. Despite the magnitude of God’s power and greatness, He takes special care of the weak and the vulnerable- the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the disabled (verses 7-8). In order to be elevated in God’s eyes, we must take a posture of humility. “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30). God doesn’t sit at His elevated status. He sends His one and only Son to come down to our level and show us how to love. Now that is praise-worthy indeed.

Prayer
 Father, renew our minds and help us remember that you are the source of every blessing and goodness in our lives. Help us to turn every complaint and negative thought into praising You. Amen.

Thought of the Day
If we praise the Lord in all circumstances- when things are going well, and in times of trouble- it draws us closer to God.

Tanaya Kunnenkeri,
 Carmel MTC, Boston, MA
 

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