Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 1: 5 -25

Dear and Respected Brethren,

The Holy Church celebrates this Sunday as "Parents day" to remember and honor all parents, while remembering the noble and holy parents mentioned in the /scrpture.  In today’s reading we find a brief account of the Priest Zechariahs and his wife Elizabeth from St. Luke. In verse 6 of today’s reading we realize that the couple under reference were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. This is a reliable and appreciable witness as human beings then and now fails in being so righteous, as they fail in walking in all the commandments alike. The first and best approach to be righteous is to obey the commandments, where the contemporary faithful might fail utterly. The main drawback of the present day living is the reluctance to obey. We fail to obey God Almighty and His commandments first of all. We often forget the two commandments of our Lord and Savior. He insisted us and still insists us to Love our Lord God and our own brethren. Though the commandments are easier and simpler, we often neglect them or forget to follow them.  Then we fail to obey our elders and parents. God’s spirit in us is always reminding us and encouraging us to do the will of God, by obeying Him and His commandments. God Almighty appeared before King Solomon the wise for the second time and expressed His willingness to bless him as he desired. Still God reminded King Solomon to be obedient to God’s commandments and orders. In 1 Kings 9: 4 we read, “And if you will walk before me as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments.” Let us make a decision that in future we will give heed to Him and we would obey Him. Every moment and on every day God is asking us to do something or the other. Let us finalize among ourselves that we will give priority to listen Him first and to obey Him perfectly. Let us try to identify the forces and powers that either block us or hinder us from obeying our Lord God and let us try to stay aloof from such powers or forces. In 2 Kings 20: 3 we find the prayer of King Hezekiah. Let us think whether we could confess before God at any moment like this? God expects from all of us a similar confession. Will we be able to do so at any occasion? Let us try. Let us try to build up a spiritual courage to discourse with our Lord as the Psalmist, The Psalmist asks in Psalms 119: 6 “Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments,”

In verse 10 of today’s reading we find “And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.” This is a statement about the people who were there at the time of Priest Zechariah’s burning of incense inside the holy of holies. Similar to this incident we have an opportunity during the Holy Eucharist, when and where our celebrants enter the Holy Sanctuary and conduct the services of preparation (Thooyobo) of the Holy Sacrament. The congregation attending the service are supposed to pray for the  celebrant and the blessing from God Almighty in getting pleased with the worship. Let us think how much curious and serious we are while attending the Holy Eucharist service.

In verse 25 we read the confession of Elizabeth, wife of Priest Zechariah. She praises God who showed benevolence to her. How we might respond when we would get blessings and gifts in quite unexpected ways? Will we able to add glory to God or will we boast our pride? Let us be grateful to God Almighty for all the gifts and blessings we enjoy day by day and at every moment.

May God bless us all

Jose Kurian Puliyeril

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 1: 5 -25

Dear and Respected Brethren,

The Holy Church celebrates this Sunday as "Parents day" to remember and honor all parents, while remembering the noble and holy parents mentioned in the /scrpture.  In today’s reading we find a brief account of the Priest Zechariahs and his wife Elizabeth from St. Luke. In verse 6 of today’s reading we realize that the couple under reference were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. This is a reliable and appreciable witness as human beings then and now fails in being so righteous, as they fail in walking in all the commandments alike. The first and best approach to be righteous is to obey the commandments, where the contemporary faithful might fail utterly. The main drawback of the present day living is the reluctance to obey.

We fail to obey God Almighty and His commandments first of all. We often forget the two commandments of our Lord and Savior. He insisted us and still insists us to Love our Lord God and our own brethren. Though the commandments are easier and simpler, we often neglect them or forget to follow them.  Then we fail to obey our elders and parents. God’s spirit in us is always reminding us and encouraging us to do the will of God, by obeying Him and His commandments. God Almighty appeared before King Solomon the wise for the second time and expressed His willingness to bless him as he desired. Still God reminded King Solomon to be obedient to God’s commandments and orders. In 1 Kings 9: 4 we read, “And if you will walk before me as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments.” Let us make a decision that in future we will give heed to Him and we would obey Him. Every moment and on every day God is asking us to do something or the other. Let us finalize among ourselves that we will give priority to listen Him first and to obey Him perfectly. Let us try to identify the forces and powers that either block us or hinder us from obeying our Lord God and let us try to stay aloof from such powers or forces. In 2 Kings 20: 3 we find the prayer of King Hezekiah. Let us think whether we could confess before God at any moment like this? God expects from all of us a similar confession. Will we be able to do so at any occasion? Let us try. Let us try to build up a spiritual courage to discourse with our Lord as the Psalmist, The Psalmist asks in Psalms 119: 6 “Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments,”

In verse 10 of today’s reading we find “And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.” This is a statement about the people who were there at the time of Priest Zechariah’s burning of incense inside the holy of holies. Similar to this incident we have an opportunity during the Holy Eucharist, when and where our celebrants enter the Holy Sanctuary and conduct the services of preparation (Thooyobo) of the Holy Sacrament. The congregation attending the service are supposed to pray for the  celebrant and the blessing from God Almighty in getting pleased with the worship. Let us think how much curious and serious we are while attending the Holy Eucharist service.

In verse 25 we read the confession of Elizabeth, wife of Priest Zechariah. She praises God who showed benevolence to her. How we might respond when we would get blessings and gifts in quite unexpected ways? Will we able to add glory to God or will we boast our pride? Let us be grateful to God Almighty for all the gifts and blessings we enjoy day by day and at every moment.

May God bless us all

Jose Kurian Puliyeril