Sermon – Page 5 – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Department

Mystery Baptism

Dear Children of God! how are you? How are you celebrating this season of feast of “Beale Hamesa?” We hope you have not become forgetful to keep the liturgy of praying and attending the Church, just because it is said that there is no fasting, prostration (bowing) and attending funeral (the burial ceremony of a dead person).

What about your school? How are you doing in your education? Are you studying well and passing your exams? You must also remember to focus on your spiritual life. Hope you have become brave students at school, and a good child for your parents and God!

Well! Let us proceed to our today’s lesson which is a continual of our last section about baptism. We have previously seen the definition of the word ‘baptism’, the liturgy of it and the reason for our baptism. And for today, we will see its second part that focuses on Children’s Baptism on their 40th and 80th days.

“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)

Mystery of Baptism

Dear Children of God! how are you? How was holiday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Resurrection? Hope you have celebrated it with joy, love and peace with your family, relatives, beloved ones, neighbors and friends also according to the liturgy attending Church.

We are now in the season of “Beale Hamesa” which is the time from Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ up to the “Feast of Pentecost (The Descending of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles). Thus, we pray and attend churches on Sabbath but do not fast, prostrate (bow) or perform the liturgy of Penance (the process of cleansing from sin /bad doings/) We celebrate throughout the season with joy because it is the resemblance of heavenly and saintly life we are to be bestowed after our rising from the dead at judgment day.

Children, it is very important to have faith in our Lord and religion. Then, as we have stated in our topic, it is very important to be baptized. Lord Jesus have said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

“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.

Caladrius

Caladrius is a white bird and is known by patristic fathers. The nature of this bird is unique in its features. Elders search for it with effort and save it. If there is a sick person, they offer it. He stares at the patient, if he is incurable and close to death, he turns his face away, but if it is still day, he opens his mouth and takes his breath from the patient’s mouth.

The man gets well, the bird gets sick. His white face turns black as coal, when he feels pain he leaps into the air and when he is sick he throws himself into the sea. After spending 3 days and 3 nights in the sea, he gets rid of his body and comes out as a new one, saved, renewed and powerful. This creation in the day. God made Thursday. If they ask why they created it, Holy Trinity gave this bird the power to save and created it as an example for those who do not believe in the death and resurrection of God the Son.

Mystery of Holy Trinity

Dear Children of God, how are you? How have you been in this season of fasting of “The Great Lent.” We have now reached on the seventh week and yet, two weeks ahead of us. We hope you are holding strong through it and fasting according the liturgy.

Children, in keeping the Church Liturgy, it is important to learn all the significant education that our Holy Orthodox Incarnation (Tewahedo) Church teaches us beginning our childhood. Therefore, it is necessary to attend the Church specially at the Sabbath. Ok? Good!

Now let us pass on to today’s lesson which is about the “Mystery of Holy Trinity.” You remember our last section about the Doctrine of Creation right? Good! Ok! so let us first see what the words Mystery and Trinity means separately.

Rabbi!

You are the teacher he knows truly

He rushed to you at night hourly

whilst he heard the words holy

healed him from his mind consciously

he was encouraged to present his enquiry

The teaching of the childhood enviably

Who is faithful servant?

Foremost, service is bestowed for the Almighty Lord; God, Who is the creator of all. Primarily who served Him by praising “Holy Holy Holy” were Angles in the heavens. Then followed the first man kind Adam, where he lived in praising and prayer in heaven.

Doctrine of Creation

Dear Children of God, how are you? How are you doing on this season of fasting of “The Great Lent”? We hope you are holding strong through it and fasting in accord to your ability, whilst being good children of God and to your parents!

Children, we assume you remember our last lesson on “The Attributes of God,” and today, we will see His creations within the six days and rested on the seventh day which is Sabbath. God has created 22 creatures and we will see them each.

Mount of Olive- The Second Coming of the Lord

Yet, during His preaching the gospel, the Lord has warned about the second coming of Him for Judgement at the end of the age, through the disciples on mount of olive, accord their query. The apostle Saint Mark states it in his gospel as follows…..