Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Priest: Minister of the Kingdom of God

St. Matthew 9:35-38
 

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (St. Matthew 9:37-38, NRSV)

As a diaspora community, we have many aspirations for all generations, especially our youth and children. The goal of the earlier diaspora, particularly in the USA was to experience the “American dream” and ensure excellent opportunities for education, affluence, and resources would be available, especially to future generations. At the same time, we are called to remember that we are part of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, as Christians who come from the St. Thomas tradition. We have a rich faith, heritage, tradition, and history. After the resurrection of our Lord, the Apostle St. Thomas’s confession of faith was through the words, “My Lord and My God.” This profound theological statement and St. Thomas’ life, mission, and martyrdom remind us of the greater need to continue confessing our faith in Christ through our words and deeds with the same zeal and enthusiasm. Let us not forget the real mission entrusted to us in this land.
            In this passage, Jesus speaks about the work of the Kingdom of God. We are invited to observe Jesus’s public ministry, which involved preaching, teaching, and healing. After looking into the crowds, we can listen to Jesus’ exhortation to the disciples emphasizing the need to toil and labor for the Kingdom of God. When we seriously reflect on the Kingdom of God, there is plenty of work. Continuing the ministry of our Lord, and being the hands and feet of Christ, as a sacramental, and witnessing community is the need of the hour. Working for the Lord is the greatest offering of our life. Let us remember the words of the blessed Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58) 
As a church, over the years, we have been blessed with the spiritual leadership and guidance of bishops, priests, evangelists, and laity leaders, along with earlier generations who prayed,  toiled, and sacrificed immensely to establish faith communities and churches. Have we discerned the Triune God’s greater purpose for us as a diaspora church? As we reflect, let us continue to pray for those who serve in the Lord’s vineyard, and critically ask ourselves, “Who shall we send?” Let our response be seen through sending.
 

 
Prayer

O Triune God, we pray for our Bishops, Achens, and all others who selflessly serve in the ministry of the word and sacrament, and in shepherding the holy church. Help them to serve you faithfully amid all situations of life. Let all glory, honor, and praise be unto thee, O Triune God, both now and forever. Amen. 

Thought for the Day

The fruitfulness of a Church can be observed in the sending of her faithful for the ministry of the Church. As we celebrate Clergy Sunday this weekend, let us pray for the Clergy and make earnest efforts to send more of our own for the ordained ministry of our church. Let our faith communities be spiritual havens to make this a visible reality.

Rev. Dennis Abraham, 
Vicar, Austin Mar Thoma Church  & San Antonio Mar Thoma Congregation

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