Christian Living and Doctrines – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

The Seven Sacraments

Dear Children of God! how are you? How was the season of the “Fast of the Assumption of Mary?” The fast that children from elderly fast has ended and we believe you have been attending the Divine Liturgy in your local churches. Our Fathers Saint Apostle’s prayer was heard by Holy Mother Saint Mary for her intercession of Lord and Savior Jesus Christs and be blessed by her resurrection and ascension.

Children! We have consequently present you lessons on “The seven Sacraments” and if you remember, last time we have seen about “The Sacraments of Baptism, Myron and Holy Communion.” Now, we will see about “The Sacrament of Penance and Unction of the Sick.” Be with us!

The Strengthened Heart

Years ago, his envious heart use to drive the conscious mind out of control, unable to gather the thoughts and make just decision. He saw the straight path twisted, the highest hill as low, the bulged and uneven alike comfortable, incapable to make a right decision. Love changed all this. It lighted his haughty eyes, dissipates his over pride and gloom giving him eternal peace.

The Rose Among Thorns

It is as if a beauty is measured by her, for I was marveled. She is the ornament of the earth that many are amazed by. They are astonished up to the limit of remaining without words to express her gorgeousness.

“Enter by the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13)

Christian Life is a way to orthodoxy. It is the straightforward in spirituality. As we have one Lord, one Baptism, one religion, no other way can enrich us to the kingdom of heaven than the good way of Orthodox Christianity.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has warned us about entering the broad way; “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The Sweet Fruit

The good aromatic fruit! you are my gift from God for eternity. I grieved for my lack of awareness of your nature in the heaven to devour you. I brought death on myself eating the forbidden fruit though the Lord created you as sweet. Yet! I see you now! The sweet fruit, you cured my soul!

Light on the Candlestick

I lit her up on the candlestick and she shined for me. Watching the luminosity from her light, give me eternal peace and am enriched hope. She became a beam of light to my troubled, anxious and violated mind, as a light lit within darkness…

“Let the Little Children Come to Me, and do not forbid them” (Luke 18:16)

The precious gifts of God are children. They are as pure and white as dove can be. They have no harm and evil inside them. Their mind and hearts have no evil but good. They are filled with decent and pure thoughts. They are innocent but have not guilt; are kind and devoid of cruelty.

The Holy Bible has stated children as those who inherit the Kingdom of God. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said to the disciples, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17)

“All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so for them” (Matthew 7:12)

The virtuous and most valuable price a person sacrifice for a love of God and brotherhood, is loving others from the heart as much as oneself and doing whatsoever for others just as oneself. Humans have the tendency of seeking basic need as well as providing their daily bread and fulfilling routines. Yet, we must crave for others vitality indeed for the love of neighbors. Loving from the heart is to desire others welfare, safety, nurture and amity. This is thru sharing our sustenance, attire, grief or fiesta.

Mystery of Incarnation

Dear Children of God! how are you? How was feast of Easter (resurrection)? We assume you had a joyful holiday! How is school and your life at home with your family? Hope you have become good children to your parents and brave students at school. It is always important to remember the value of having proper discipline and character so that we could be good children of God, to be given a life full of peace, love and happiness.

Children, the life that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us is filled with true love, peace and joy. If we could be aware (know) and understand His way of salvation which is known as “Mystery of Incarnation,” we would be saved from all the problems and suffering that our enemy Satan brings upon us. Our Lord died for us because He loved us dearly (so much). He was crucified on the cross, on the sixth day known as “Arebe” locally, and buried. But then, He rise on the third day, the Sabbath (“Ehud” in Amharic) and declared resurrection of the dead (life after bodily death and life in heaven).

The House of Mercy

In Jerusalem where the Lord was born, near the temple, there was a baptism sacred place for all the aliments to be cured known as in Hebrew “Bethsaida” to mean the “The House of Mercy.” This holy place had five porticoes and steps for the aliment to enter the pool and be baptized. On the first Sabbath Day, the Angel of God came down from the heavens and stirred up the water, and the first to enter was cured. Many were healed witnessing this miracle of God and work of salvation in faith and hope of His mercy.

At one of the porticoes in Bethsaida, there was an impotent man, embedded for 38 years. On that era, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ visited that house of mercy and saw the impotent man lying in bed. He knew he was paralytic for many years but still asked saying, “Will you be made whole?” The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another step down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.” (John 5:7-9)