by Rev. Deacon Gregory Varghese

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is clear that we live in an era of uncertainty and constant struggle. Mankind is continuously in search of that proverbial "Canaan" a heaven on earth where no worry exists, only peace, comfort and security. Unfortunately, for many this place is inextricably connected to money. This is quite understandable since it stems from our desire to provide abundantly for ourselves and families. However, if we continue to place our financial security as the foundational element of our true happiness, we will find ourselves frequently disappointed and never content with life, corresponding well with the weekly ups and downs of the stock market. Since Jesus Christ was a human being, He knows our struggles and worries. There is no speculation involved when He tells us not to "labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal." Jesus Christ is crystal clear: If we believe in Him, we will gain more than earthly peace and security" we will gain eternal life.

When Jesus celebrated the Passover with His Apostles, it was His hope that He might display what manner of fellowship is required from any person that dares to call themselves His follower. The Holy Qurbana is not just a symbolic act, but it is a profound and living statement of the peace and love that exists between the people of God. Though many come from different backgrounds, cultures and socio-economic status, all are able to eat from one plate and drink from one cup. All are satisfied. Individually, we may worry about if and how we will receive our daily bread, but corporately, as the Church, we have faith that not only God, but the people of God will look after and feed one another. If this truly is the case, do we then need to worry about from where we will receive our earthly sustenance?

In Exodus 12 it is written regarding the Passover feast, "If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are."� As members of the Church of God, we too are required to take our own spiritual inventory before we partake in the Holy Qurbana. Before we gather in celebration, have we looked after the needs of others over and above our own? As man searches for their earthly, worry-free Canaan, Christ has already provided us with the foundation and framework to build such a community, sustained by each member's self-sacrificing love for one another. This means that where there is someone in need in the community, there is someone to help fulfill that need. Where there is hunger, there will be someone to feed. Where there is thirst, there will be another to give drink. And where there is wrong-doing, there is always someone to forgive - All of this inspired by the example of our Lord. As nations continue to worry about their future economic prosperity, the members of the Church should be confident in the fact that God is seeing to their every need, primarily through the time, talent and treasure of our fellow brothers and sisters in the Church.