7 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” Ephesians 2:14
Christ is risen! On Easter evening the risen Lord stood among his frightened disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Today St Paul explains how deep that peace goes. He writes to Christians who were not born Jews: “Remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Notice what Paul honors here: the commonwealth of Israel and the covenants of promise are a treasure. Gentile believers, which is to say almost all of us, have been brought near to Israel's hope, grafted, as Paul says elsewhere, onto the olive tree whose root supports us (Romans 11:17–18). The Church remembers with gratitude her spiritual bond with the Jewish people (Nostra Aetate 4). Then the great sentence: “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” When Paul says that Christ “abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances,” he is speaking of the rules that kept Jew and Gentile apart as a wall; he does not mean that God's commandments no longer matter. Christ fulfills the Law, and in him both have “access in one Spirit to the Father.” Here is the whole Trinity in a single line, and the Cross is the place where hostility was put to death.
What walls still stand among us? Families divided over property, neighbors who have not spoken for years, the old wounds of caste that still mark some Christian communities in Kerala, suspicion between Churches that share one Baptism. Christ has already broken the wall in his flesh; our part is to stop rebuilding it. Our own Church knows something of this grace: in 1930 Mar Ivanios and his companions entered full communion with the Bishop of Rome, and the Syro-Malankara Church still prays daily for the unity of all Christ's disciples. The Gospel adds a word about how this peace spreads. “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.” The light of Easter is not for hiding. Then Jesus says something sharp: “Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” The one who listens with faith receives more; the one who hears without receiving loses even the little he thought he had. St Augustine told his hearers that the sound of the preacher's words strikes the ear, but the true Teacher is within, and only he makes the word take root (in substance).
How do we live this Wednesday of Qyomtho? Look honestly for one wall in your life: a relative, a neighbor, a colleague, a Christian of another Church you have kept at a distance. Take one step toward them this week: a greeting, a phone call, a visit, a prayer said for them by name. Pray for the unity of Christians, especially among the Churches of the St Thomas tradition in Kerala. And watch how you listen: at the Holy Qurbono, try to hear the readings as if for the first time; at home, switch off the screen for ten minutes and let the Gospel speak; with others, listen to understand rather than to answer. The lamp is lit; let it stand on the lampstand of a peaceful life.
Theme: “For he is our peace.”
On Wednesday after New Sunday: those far off brought near, the wall broken down in Christ's flesh, and the listening heart that lets the light shine.
“Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the LORD; and I will heal them.” Isaiah 57:19
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Apply: Thank God today for the gift of faith that brought you near, and pray for the Jewish people.
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
Apply: Take one step this week toward someone you have kept at a distance.
“Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
“But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” James 1:22
Apply: Before the readings at the Holy Qurbono, pray to hear them as if for the first time.
The risen Christ is our peace: he has broken down every dividing wall and brought all into one Body.
His light is not for hiding, and those who listen with faith receive more.
Take-home resolution: Stop rebuilding the walls Christ has broken: take one step toward reconciliation, pray for Christian unity, and listen to God's word with a ready heart.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! On Easter evening the Lord said to his disciples, Peace be with you. Today St Paul tells us how deep that peace goes: he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us (Ephesians 2:14).
We who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, brought into the hope of Israel's covenants. Through him all of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Christ has already broken the wall. Our part is to stop rebuilding it in our families, our parishes, and between Churches.
In the Gospel Jesus says that no one hides a lamp under a jar. The light of Easter is not for hiding. And he adds: pay attention to how you listen (Luke 8:18). The one who listens with faith receives more.
So this week let us take one step across a wall: a greeting, a call, a visit, a prayer for someone by name. And let us listen to God's word as if for the first time. Amen.
Children, Christ is risen! St Paul says that Jesus is our peace. When people are angry with each other, it is like building a wall between them. Jesus came to break down walls, so that we can all be friends in God's family. Is there someone you had a fight with? Today you can say sorry, or just say hello with a smile.
Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, you are our peace. In your flesh you made both groups into one and broke down the dividing wall of hostility; through you we all have access in one Spirit to the Father. Bring near all who are far off, heal the divisions in our families, our parishes and our Churches, and keep us from rebuilding the walls you have broken. Set the lamp of your Easter light on the lampstand of our lives, and teach us to listen to your word with faith, so that more may be given us. To you be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for ever. Amen.