Christ and Jubilee Year

Jubilee & Christ

On the Sunday before Pentecost we read about the Jubilee year in Leviticus 25:8-13. The Jubilee Year is the 50^th year and is the conclusion of seven 7 year cycles. The word Jubilee has its etymological root in this festival year. The Hebrew word ‘Yobel’ which means trumpet was used for this year. The sound of the trumpet glared on the day of atonement signified the arrival of this august year. According to Leviticus 25, the Jubilee year was an occasion for liberty (v.10), return to one’s ancestral home (v.10), rest from labor (v.11) and period of holiness (v. 12). The reason for reading about the feast of 50^th year prior to the feast of the 50^th day is not accidental. The jubilee year points us towards Christ.

First the Jubilee year teaches us that Christ came to redeem. Jubilee year was a year of liberation for all who were bonded. In fact it was even redemption or freedom for the land. The Jubilee year reminded the Israelites that God was the ultimate owner of all.  According to St Luke, Jesus began his public ministry by proclaiming the arrival of the Jubilee year. Jesus stood in the synagogue at Nazareth and read from Isaiah and declared, ““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Obviously the Jubliee period does not represent one calendar year but to the new age inaugurated by Christ.

Secondly the Jubliee year teaches us that Christ will bring us into a rest. The Jubilee year was a time of rest from labors. Our earthly life is filled with toils and we often find it difficult to find rest here. But for those who believe in Christ the life after death is a period of rest in Him. We read in the book of Revelation, “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13). This particular verse is alluded to in the funeral liturgy. As the coffin is about to be closed the face is covered and oil is poured over the earthly remains of the departed while the priest prays for the departed to “receive rest from labors”.

The Jubilee year spoken about in Leviticus 25 looks forward to the heavenly rest and liberation from bondage that Christ gifts to his disciples. 

Tabernacle and Christ

Tabernacle and Christ

                In the past two weeks we saw two individuals in the Old Testament served as types of Christ and this week we move on to an important object from the Old Testament – Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the portable center of worship that God commanded as place of worship for the Israelites. God gave the instructions to Moses on how the tabernacle ought to be made. The author of Hebrews teaches us that the earthly tabernacle was based on what Moses saw in heaven. We should not simply understand this to mean that Moses created a replica of a temple he saw in heaven. This week’s reading is taken from Exodus 40. Let us see how can see Christ in the various articles of tabernacle:

                As a general statement we must understand that the incarnate word is Christ who tabernacle among us. Although we are all familiar with John 1:14 (The word became flesh and dwelt among us), we would profit much from understanding the second part of that verse. “The word became flesh and pitched his tent among us” is an accurate way of reading the verse. As St. Gregory of Nyssa states when speaking of the tabernacle in his important work “Life of Moses”, ‘This one is the Only Begotten God, who encompasses everything in himself but who also pitched his own tabernacle among us.’ Christ is the true meeting place in whom we can access God.

                The first item that God commands Moses to plant in the tabernacle is the Ark of the Covenant. The ark of covenant and the mercy seat all remind us of Christ’s once and for all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12). The three items placed in the ark are also figures of Christ: the tablets of Law, Aaron’s rod and the mannah. The veil which encloses the ark stands for the body of Christ. In Hebrews 10:19-20 we read, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh”.

                God commands Moses to place each item in the tabernacle beginning from the holy of holies to the outer section. After the ark the next time is the table of show bread or bread of the presence. The bread placed on this table reminds us that Christ is the bread of life (St. John 6:35). The title “Show Bread” can be rendered literally as “Bread of the Face” and shows that consuming of this bread allows one to behold the face of God. Clearly this experience is a foreshadowing of the experience of communion and reminds us of the opening of the eyes of the disciples at Emmaus.

                The next liturgical item placed in the tabernacle is the golden lampstand. The Lampstand teaches us that Christ is the light of the world and the church his followers ought to be the light of the world (St Matt 5:16).

                The final item that God asks Moses to place within the tabernacle is the altar of incense which rests immediately before the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies. Incense was to be burned upon this altar in the morning and evening. The incense represents the prayer of the believers. (see Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4) More than the prayer of the individuals, read in the light of Christ we are reminded that Christ is the sweet smelling aroma who was sacrificed for our behalf (2 Cor 2:15; Ephesians 5:2)

                Having completed the items in the Holy place, God commands Moses to place the altar of Burnt Offering outside the tent along with the basin of laver. The altar of burnt offering shows the once and for all sacrifice of Christ and the shedding of the blood of the perfect lamb of God. The basin of laver reminds us at once both of Christian baptism and of the cleansing provided by Christ.

                Interpreted through the medium of Christ the tabernacle becomes an important locus for us to understand the salvation Christ gifts to the world. 

Moses as Type of Christ

            Last week we considered Joseph as a type of Christ and this week we move to the most important Old Testament type of Christ – Moses. The Pentateuch passage for this week’s reading is Exodus14:26-31, the passage that narrates the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. In the Old Testament Moses stands as a towering figure, the great liberator of Israel out of bondage. It is therefore no surprise that the expectation of the future liberator of Israel looked back at Moses. We read in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

            After Joseph’s death the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) dwelt in Egypt and eventually became enslaved to the Egyptians. The story of Moses is so popular that it is not necessary to recap. There are numerous parallels between Moses and Christ. Let us look at three of them:

            First Christ liberates us from bondage. The entire Exodus story is a type of our salvation. We were formerly enslaved in bondage to sin and the captain of our salvation leads us out of Egypt and into the promised land. Although the crossing of the Red Sea (a type of Christian baptism, see 1 Cor 10:2) signifies a land mark victory over evil, the people of God are not yet able to enter into the promised land and must wander in the wilderness. Christ is our great liberator and we are no longer enslaved in bondage. The resurrection of Christ and our participation in that resurrection through baptism parallels the crossing of the Red Sea.

            Second Christ gifts us with the knowledge needed for salvation. St John states in his gospel “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Law was the knowledge that the people of God needed in their earthly sojourn to be connected with God. Christ brings the grace and truth that we need for our salvation. This Sunday we heard about the miraculous catch of fish by the apostles after the resurrection. It was when the apostles listened to the command of Jesus that they were able to catch the large amount of fish. In our daily life we must constantly keep our ears open to receive the grace and truth that Christ gifts to us.

            Third Moses shows us the intimacy with God that we can attain. Moses was a “friend of God”. “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” Exodus 33:11. Christ similarly shows us that through prayer we can maintain an intimate connection with God.

            Next week, we will consider the tabernacle and Christ.

Joseph as a type of Christ

           One obvious reality that I have become aware of in my brief time as a pastor is the need for basic Biblical literacy. The average believer sitting in the pews will not be able to quickly answer whether it was Daniel or David who was thrown in to the lion’s den. Often these illiterate faithful are very pious and devout. However without a comprehension of the basic stories of scripture they are missing out on opportunities to deepen their faith. For example, Isaiah 53 (song of suffering servant) will be read in nearly all Christian traditions that observe good Friday liturgy. Yet how many of the participants will make the connection between the prophecy of Isaiah and Christ crucified? This predicament is compounded by the inability of a preacher to address all of the scriptural allusions in a ten to fifteen minute homily.    

                If faithful can remain devout, why is basic Biblical literacy important? It is because of these words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39). If the scriptures testify of Christ, then a greater understanding of those very scriptures will deepen our intimacy with Christ. In order for me to inculcate the faithful in parish with basic Biblical literacy I have decided to preach a series of homilies concerning Christ based on the first five books of Moses. These homilies will be delivered between the Sundays between feast of Resurrection and feast of Pentecost. The scripture portion selected for the homily will be the portion found in the lectionary for the given Sunday.

                The portion of Torah that is read for Bright Sunday (first Sunday after Easter) is Genesis 41:41-46.  In this portion we hear the story of how Joseph is set over the Kingdom of Egypt by Pharaoh. While I am not exactly sure whether this section was found in the early versions of the lectionary or is part of revision to the lectionary in the late 20^th century, we can clearly see the connections between Joseph’s exaltation by Pharaoh and Christ’s exaltation by God the Father. (I will leave the question of whether the lectionary revisions were a good thing for a later post.)

                The book of Genesis is part of a collection that the Jewish people refer to as the Torah (law). According to Jewish understanding, the Old Testament books are divided into three collections, namely Torah (law), Nebi’im (Prophets) and Kethubim (Writings) and are together referred to as the ‘TaNaK’. The book of Genesis is called as “Beresit” which are the opening words of the book and translate to “In the beginning”.  As that title implies, the book of Genesis focuses on the beginnings and the source of the beginnings. As such the first eleven chapters narrate the beginning of the world by God and chapters twelve to fifty narrate the beginning of God’s special community. This second section can be further divided into God’s special relationship with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (collectively known as the Patriarchs) and Jacob’s twelve children (specifically to Joseph).

                The short reading set apart for this Sunday’s reading concerning the exaltation of Joseph as second in command in the kingdom of Egypt serves as a type of the exaltation of Christ by God the Father.

                First Pharaoh sets Joseph over the Kingdom. “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt’”(Genesis 41:41). The words of Pharaoh to Joseph must be read together with Psalm 2:6 – "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain." Psalm 2 is a messianic Psalm that prophesies the messianic reign over the kingdom of God (Rev. 21, Rev. 22, Matt 28:18, Ephesians 1:22, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 12:22). In fact there are several parallels between exaltation of Joseph and exaltation of Christ. Prior to the exaltation Joseph was in prison and Christ also was in the prison of Hades just prior to his exaltation. As we read in St Peter, “After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” (1 Peter 3:19). Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his house and so also God the Father sets Christ as head of his house the church.

Second Joseph is entrusted with Pharaoh’s ring. Pharaohs usually possessed a signet ring which when pressed will leave an impression. The impression is the authoritative image of Pharaoh himself. Similarly Christ is the image of God the Father. For we read in Colossians 1:15 that “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Third the entire nation bows their knee as Joseph rides on Pharaoh’s second chariot. The veneration given to Joseph alludes to the worship that Christ receives from his followers. As St Paul teaches the Philippians, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10 ).

Fourth Pharaoh grants Joseph with power over life and death. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man will lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt” (Gen 41:44). We know that the victory of resurrection is that Christ triumphs over death.

In addition to these direct parallels from the unit we can also garner the inspiration that God works out his purpose in the life of Joseph, using the trials and falls as steps in larger picture of Israel’s redemption. Joseph’s suffering became a means of redemption of the nation of Israel (as Joseph himself tells his family in Genesis 50:20). God similarly used the passion of Christ to bring about redemption to all of creation. The story of Joseph teaches us that God’s providential power is always active in our lives. Even when others betray us (as Joseph’s brothers did to him) or when others malign our reputation with false accusations (as Potiphar’s wife did to Joseph) or forget us (as the chief cupbearer did to Joseph), God is able use those tragedies as part of his overall plan for our salvation and for those around us. It is for this reason that when we reflect on the parallels between Joseph and Christ we can find encouragement in the following words of St Paul : “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Day 24, Advent Devotional Dec 24, 2015

Dec 24, 2015

Scripture of the Day:  

                Philippians 2:5-11 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:5-11)

Thought of the day:  One Lord Jesus Christ who is of same substance with the Father.

                The eve of Christmas is a perfect day for us to reflect on the person of Christ. Even small children will wonder at the amount of adoration that we give to this small child that was born in a manger. They might ask us, “Is Jesus God?” The answer is a resounding yes. As we confess in our creed daily, Christ is “of the same substance with the Father.” In other words our Lord Jesus Christ is equal to the Father. St Paul reveals this truth to us in a poetic passage of Philippians. In the second chapter we read of the incarnation in this manner: “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6-7).

                Son of God emptied himself and became human. The equality with God the Father was not something to be grasped but something to be given up. St Paul reminds us that this self emptying is an example for all of us to follow. As we close our yearly meditation on the theme of “Growing as Disciples of Christ” let us follow the example of Christ and empty ourselves. What are we gripping onto very tightly in our lives? Is there anything that we are reluctant to give up? May we all follow the example of Christ.

Song of the Day:

Naranayi vannu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqOctp4s6Tg

Icon of the Day:

                Icon of the Dormition: https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/the-dormition-icon-of-hope/

Quote of the day:

"As one therefore of the forsaken, in that He too like us partook of blood and flesh, He says, Why forsookest Thou Me? which was [the utterance] of one who was undoing the forsaking that had come upon us and as it were winning the Father to Himself and calling Him to good favour to us as to Himself first.”

― Cyril of Alexandria, On the Unity of Christ

Day 17 Advent Devotional Dec 17

Dec 17, 2015

Scripture of the Day:  

Romans 10:9-18 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A9-18)

Thought of the day: Hearing the Gospel

                In the past few days we have thought about the benefits (joy, casting out of fear) that we gain from the gospel of Christ’s birth. We should know that all of these benefits are only ancillary to the prime gift that we receive through Christ’s birth – salvation. By the birth of the only begotten Son as a human being, God gifted to us salvation. In order for us to receive this gift we ought to believe the gospel. St Paul uses a few actions that faithful will do. Confession with mouth and believing with heart are essential to receive the gift of salvation. However the first step is hearing the good news.

“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom 10:14-15). Here St Paul is emphasizing the urgency of the need to preach the gospel and for recipients to hear the gospel.

It is in light of this command to hear the gospel that we ought to think about how the gospel is preached in church. One of the climactic points in every liturgy is the reading of the Holy Scriptures. There is a progression in the order of the readings as well – first from Pentateuch, then from major prophets, then general epistles, Pauline epistles as penultimate and Gospel as the finale. In the light of these readings the minister preaches the gospel of the day. The purpose of this act of the reading from the Holy Scriptures and preaching on those scriptures is to fulfill the need that St Paul points out – in order for someone to believe they must first hear.

Sadly many Orthodox believers do not come to church in time to hear the gospel. Is it any wonder then that many do not have a zeal for the gospel? Without hearing how can they believe and confess? It is further pitiful that young parents do not bring their children to liturgy in time to hear the Holy Scriptures. A whole generation of young people grow up in the church without ever hearing the good news about Jesus Christ! What a shame! At the close of this year let us make a resolve to arrive in church so that we can hear the gospel.

Song of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8eZQD3Xl3s

Icon of the Day:

                Syrian Orthodox and Kerala Christians did have traditional Christian art forms. However these were discontinued and we began to experience a gradual influence of western art in our churches. In the last generation there has been a conscious effort by the various groups of St Thomas Christians of Kerala to revive an authentic Indian Christian paintings. Here are a few examples:

1.       Syro-Malabar :

a.       http://stalphonsamma.blogspot.com/2008/10/icon-of-st-alphonsa.html

b.      http://www.syromalabarchurch.in/images/img26.jpg

2.       Syro-Malankara:

a.       http://wikimapia.org/8396037/St-John-s-Metropolitan-Cathedral-Tiruvalla#/photo/552747

Quote of the day:

                “If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and that Bread, Which is your God humbling and disguising Himself, will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this Bread; and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperate. If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make you pure and chaste.”

+ St. Cyril of Alexandria

Day 14 Advent Devotional Dec 14, 2015

Dec 14, 2015

Scripture of the Day:  

                Isaiah 41:1-20 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41%3A1-20&version=NRSV)

Thought of the day: Do not fear               

                Fear is one of the most common emotions we all experience. It feels as if the rise of mass shootings, terrorist attacks as only intensified the prevalence of fear. It is in such a situation that we receive great solace from the message of Christmas. At the time of the birth of our savior, the repeated message is “Do not fear.” First the Angel Gabriel says this to Zachariah, then to St Mary and then to St Joseph.

                The gospel of the birth of our Lord is a message that casts away fear from our lives. As God prophesied through Isaiah, the message of Christmas is, “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). The baby born for us tells us the same.

First He is Immanuel ever present God. Christ is present with us always. Second He is our God – this speaks of the intimate concern that God has for us. Since our God is with us we have nothing to fear. The next three descriptions are emphasizing how he protects us – strengthening, helping and upholding.

During this advent season let God cast away the fear in our hearts.

               

Song of the Day:

                Song of Nativity :              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK0cEXorim4

Icon of the Day:

                Icon of Nativity: https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/the-nativity-icon/

Quote of the day:

“The servant of the Lord will be afraid only of his Master, while the man who does not yet fear Him is often scared by his own shadow.” St. John of the Ladder

Day 11 Advent Devotional Dec 11, 2015

Dec 11, 2015

Scripture of the Day:

                Hebrews 2:14-18 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2:14-18)

Thought of the day: Christ the High Priest

                The author of Hebrews gives to us another important title for Christ – “the merciful and faithful high priest.” In order for us to fully grasp the depth of the meaning of this title we need to understand the role of the high priest in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the high priest offered sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus came to become the perfect high priest (see Hebrews 5). As the perfect high priest he offered the perfect sacrifice as well – his own life. In one of the prefatory (promeon) prayers Christ is addressed as the “one who became a priest to his own body.” As we get closer to the blessed feast of Christmas let us reflect on the High Priest and his Sacrifice on our behalf.

Song of the Day:

                Song of Nativity :              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz1P1ml-ESs

Icon of the Day:

                Syrian version of ascension of Christ from 6^th century:

                                http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-viewimage.pl?SID=20151211424499511&code=&RC=53846&Row=&code=act&return=act

                Most of the later Orthodox icons of ascension are based on this icon (see one from 15^th century):

                                https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/ascension-icon-why-stand-ye-gazing-up-into-heaven/

Quote of the day:

                Read a description of this icon by an eminent theologian of iconography:

                                http://www.groca.org/featured-article-2/

Day 10 Advent Devotional Dec 10, 2015

Dec 10, 2015

Scripture of the Day:

Hebrews 12:18-29 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:18-29)

Thought of the day: Christ the Mediator

                As we prepare for the feast of the Birth of our Lord we ought to meditate on the reason for his birth. In the past few days we have looked at several different pictures that reveal the purpose of the incarnation – to clothe us with himself, to establish the kingdom of God, etc. Today let us reflect on the theme of Christ the Mediator. Author of book of Hebrews identifies our savior as “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.” What does it mean to call Christ the mediator?

                The word translated as mediator is the Greek word mesites. This word can be literally translated as “in the middle”.  The Greek word is used to speak of a person who acts as an intermediary. It can specifically be used to refer to the one who guarantees the terms stipulated in a covenant. As St Paul teaches us, a mediator implies more than one party (Gal 3:20). The two parties that Christ mediates for are God the Father and the creation.  Creation and more specifically humanity has become estranged from God. There is a great divide between God and humanity. There is nothing that creation can do to overcome this divide. God sent his own son to bridge that gap. Therefore the word mediator is used to speak of the work of salvation that Christ does to unite humanity back to God.

                This concept is captured so well in the often misunderstood verse of St Paul : “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). It is through the birth, passion, death and resurrection that the man Christ Jesus fulfilled his work of mediation. Nothing else can save us. However this does not preclude the possibility of other believers praying for us. It is in this point that well-meaning Christians often err.  They misunderstand the role that Orthodox Christians give to saints. We do not believe that Saints can ever fulfill the role of Christ to mediate between humanity and God. However we do believe that Saints (whether living or departed) can pray to God on behalf of others. We call this prayer intercession. As we participate in Orthodox services if we pay careful attention we will note the significant difference between prayers addressed to God and requests to the saints for their intercession.

Song of the Day:

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc9Afkrw6es

Icon of the Day:

                Picture from Kottayam Cheriapally –      

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/09/1f/b9/97/kottayam.jpg

                Ancient Churches of Kerala had traditional murals:

                                http://www.nasrani.net/2007/05/01/the-mural-tradition-of-nasrani-churches-in-kerala/

Quote of the day:

As it is impossible to verbally describe the sweetness of honey to one who has never tasted honey, so the goodness of God cannot be clearly communicated by way of teaching if we ourselves are not able to penetrate into the goodness of the Lord by our own experience.

(St. Basil the Great, Conversations on the Psalms, 29)

Day 09 - Advent Devotional Dec 09, 2015

Dec 09, 2015

Scripture of the Day:

                Colossians 3:5-14 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A5-14&version=NRSV)

Thought of the day: Clothed in Christ

                In this advent season we are often concerned about our clothes. We unpack all the winter clothes to protect ourselves from the harsh cold weather. We might also be caught up in shopping frenzy and searching for new clothes for our loved ones. Scripture teaches us the clothing that we ought to be most concerned with – put on Christ Jesus. St Paul repeatedly employs the clothing metaphor to teach us about salvation (Rom 13:14; Galatians 3:27). In fact we could even study the entire salvation history through the lens of clothing metaphor. For today let us consider the words in Colossians 3.

                First we are reminded of the clothes that we have put away – “you have stripped off the old self with its practices” (3:9). He also describes the new layers of clothing that we put on. “You have clothed yourself with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator” (3:10). The new wardrobe that we don is constantly being renewed. The purpose of its renewal is that we might conform to the image of its creator – Jesus Christ. St Paul continues to enumerate the different layers we put on – “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.” Finally the last piece of clothing that binds these layers together into a perfect harmony is love (3:14). In this Christmas season let us ask ourselves whether we have put on the clothes of Christ. Let us shift our focus away from the earthly clothes to the heavenly divine clothing given to us by Christ.

                Today is also the 3^rd memorial of Late Lamented Mathews Mar Barnabas. Let us remember Thirumeni in our prayers.           

   

Song of the Day:

Athisudha thronsinmel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHbVasLX2Lw

Icon of the Day:

                Andrei Rublev’s Icon of the Holy Trinity

                http://www.holy-transfiguration.org/library_en/lord_trinity_rublev.html

Quote of the day:

                “See what an insatiable soul! For having said, ‘We are all made children of God through faith,” he does not stop there, but tries to find something more exact, which may serve to convey a still closer oneness with Christ. Having Said, ‘ye have put on Christ,’ even this does not suffice Him, but by way of penetrating more deeply into this union, he comments on it thus: ‘Ye are all One in Christ Jesus,’ that is, ye have all one form and one mould, even Christ’s. What can be more awe-inspiring than these words! He that was a Greek, or Jew or bond-man yesterday carries about with him the form, not of an Angel or Archangel, but of the Lord of all, yes displays in his own person the Christ.”  (St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on Galatians). 

Day 08 Advent Devotional Dec 08 2015

Dec 08, 2015

Scripture of the Day:

Isaiah 61 : (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A1-4&version=NRSV)

Thought of the day: Freedom in Christ

In Isaiah 61 we read a prophecy about the messiah (anointed one). First the anointing is seen a commissioning. Second we see that the anointed one was commissioned to perform a multitude of activities. Chief among these is the duty to “proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.” The Messiah has come to liberate those living in bondage. St Paul declares, “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatains 5:1).

Often we live in ignorance of the freedom that we have received from the messiah. It is said that even after the Emancipation Proclamation many of the newly freed slaves continued to live as slaves because they did not become aware of their freedom. Christians are often like that. Although the messiah has made us free, we continued to live as slaves. We have permitted the weak things of this world to become strong shackles that restrict our freedom. These shackles bind our hands from working for Christ; our feet from walking for Christ and our mouths from praising Christ.

This advent season let us reclaim the freedom we have in Christ. Let us cast away the bondage of sin.

               

Song of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzz7R3ETN-o

Icon of the Day:

Holy Mandylion of Christ – story of icon imprinted by Christ.

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2010/08/holy-mandylion-napkin-of-christ-not.html

Quote of the day:

May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs - let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ. – St Ignatius of Antioch

Day 03 - Advent Devotional- Dec 03

Dec 03, 2015

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 9:1-7

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A1-7&version=NRSV

Thought of the day: Jesus The Christ

Who are we approaching? We began the Advent Lent by turning to Jesus Christ. As Christians we are so used to such expressions that they have even become cliché. Let us spend a few days meditating on the identity of Jesus. We ought to reexamine the scriptures to assist us in this meditation. The Gospel of St Matthew opens by declaring “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Let us reflect on the title Messiah.

St John the Theologian teaches us that “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). Why is it important to believe that Jesus is the Christ? The Greek word Christos means anointed one (Messiah is simply the Hebrew equivalent). The most basic Christian confession is that Jesus is the Christ. When we confess this we are confessing Jesus to be one who is spoken of by the prophets.

The prophecy given through Isaiah in chapter 9 clarifies Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. It says that “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—    on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). The messiah brings light to darkness. In fact the messiah is light. Often our lives are covered in darkness. We are often stumbling in this gloomy existence. It is into such a bleak world that the bright light of the Christ shines. This is why one of the symbols of Christmas season is a star. Just as the star guided the wise men on their journey, Christ guides us on our journeys too.

Song of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah_XPrnnob0

Icon of the Day:

https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/jesus-christ-the-icon-of-the-father/

Quote of the day:

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed; He had the power; He descended; He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged. – St John Chrysostom Homily on Nativity (http://www.antiochian.org/node/21955 )

Day 02 Advent Devotional Dec 02

Dec 02, 2015

Scripture of the Day: 1 Peter 2:4-5

Thought of the day: Come to the Living Stone

Why should we follow St John’s advice and turn? And to what do we turn? St Peter’s words from his first epistle give us the answer:
“Come to him, a living stone” (1 Peter 2:4-5, NRSV)
St Peter reminds us that our journey is towards a person – Jesus Christ the Living Stone. This is clear from the icon of St John the Baptist as well. St John is depicted with his hands open and pointing towards Christ. So if St John reminds us to turn, he is telling us to turn to Christ.  We should change our course if our present path will not get us towards our goal. In other words if the way that we live now is not taking us closer to Christ then it is time to change our direction.
The title that St Peter ascribes to Christ is a poignant one – “living stone.” Christ is the precious stone upon which we are built. St Peter, the one was titled the rock by Christ, now reveals us to the foundation of his own strength. Furthermore this foundation is not a mythical past but the very present and living person. Our foundation is not a story or principle but the person of Jesus Christ himself. Approaching Christ isn’t something done in the past either. It is a continual return and drawing closer to Christ. The closer we get to Christ the more we realize how much more we need to approach him.
During this advent season let us come to Christ the Living Stone.

Song of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWswqTy2OaE

Icon of the Day:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deesis

Quote of the day:

"So He united man with God and wrought a communion of God and man, we being unable to have any participation in incorruptibility if it were not for His coming to us, for incorruptibility, whilst being invisible, benefited us nothing: so He became visible, that we might, in all ways, obtain a participation in incorruptibility." (St Irenaeus of Lyons, On the Apostolic Preaching, 31)