28 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Today the Panchangam asks us to remember Most Rev. Isaac Mar Yoohanon, a bishop of our Church, who entered his rest in 1987. Forty years have passed, and many younger members of our Church will not know his face. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us why such remembering matters: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” The Church is not a club that begins again with each generation. It is a family with a memory. We received the faith from people who were baptized, taught, ordained and consecrated before us; they carried it through difficult years and handed it on. To remember them is to give thanks for them, to learn from them, and to pray for them. The Catholic Church has always prayed for her departed shepherds, asking that any stain of human weakness be washed away and that they may see the face of the Chief Shepherd. Then comes the line that holds all generations together: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Bishops come and go; the Lord they served does not change. The Christ who called Mar Yoohanon is the Christ who calls us.
Hebrews goes on to the heart of the bishop's service and of the whole Church's life: “We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat.” Christians are not people without a sacrifice. Our altar is the altar of the Holy Qurbono, where the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is made present and his true Body and Blood are given as food. Hebrews explains with an image from the old temple: the bodies of the sacrificed animals were burned outside the camp, and “Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Two more sacrifices flow from the altar into daily life: “let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name,” and “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Worship, praise and sharing belong together. St Augustine once told his people: for you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian; the first is a burden, the second a grace (Sermon 340, in substance).
The Gospel gives the measure of every shepherd and every steward. “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.” A bishop gives the household its food: the word of God, the sacraments, wise guidance. But every Christian is a steward of something: parents of their children, teachers of their pupils, employers of their workers, the healthy of the sick who depend on them. The warning is sharp: the wicked servant who says “My master is delayed” and begins to beat his fellow servants and to drink with drunkards will be surprised by the master's return. Our Lord rose and ascended and will come again; we do not know the hour. Today, pray for the soul of Mar Yoohanon and for all the bishops and priests who served our Church and have gone before us. Pray for our present bishops. And ask yourself: in the household entrusted to me, am I giving food at the proper time?
Theme: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
On the memory of Most Rev. Isaac Mar Yoohanon: remembering our shepherds, the altar we have, and the faithful steward.
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15
“And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.” 1 Peter 5:4
Apply: Pray today by name for the departed bishops and priests who served your parish or family.
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering” Malachi 1:11
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16
Apply: Make one act of sharing this week, in money, time or food, as an offering flowing from the altar.
“Not so with my servant Moses; he is entrusted with all my house.” Numbers 12:7
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
Apply: Name one person who depends on you and give them what they truly need this week.
Shepherds pass; the Christ they served is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Every Christian is a steward, and the Lord will come to find us at work.
Take-home resolution: Remember and pray for those who gave you the faith, live from the altar, and be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! Today our Church remembers Most Rev. Isaac Mar Yoohanon, a bishop who entered his rest in 1987. Hebrews tells us: remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:7–8).
Hebrews also says: we have an altar (Hebrews 13:10). Jesus suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood (Hebrews 13:12), and that sacrifice is made present at every Holy Qurbono. From the altar flow two more sacrifices: praise on our lips, and doing good and sharing what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15–16).
In the Gospel Jesus asks: who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:45). That is the work of a bishop and a priest, but each of us is a steward too: of children, of workers, of the sick, of the poor at our gate.
Let us pray today for the soul of Mar Yoohanon and all our departed shepherds, and for our bishops now. And let us be found at work when the Lord comes: faithful at the altar, generous with our neighbours, giving food at the proper time to those who depend on us. Amen.
Children, Christ is risen! Today we remember a bishop called Isaac Mar Yoohanon, who went home to God forty years ago. Bishops are like shepherds who take care of God's family. Jesus told a story about a servant who was put in charge of giving food to everyone in the house, and he did it well every day. God gives you jobs too: helping Amma, sharing with your little brother or sister, saying your prayers. If you do them well, Jesus will be very happy when he sees you!
Lord Jesus Christ, Chief Shepherd of the flock, you are the same yesterday and today and forever. We remember before you your servant Isaac Mar Yoohanon, who spoke your word to your people and served at your altar. Forgive him every human weakness, and bring him to the city that is to come, to rejoice in the light of your face. Give your Church faithful and wise shepherds, who feed your household at the proper time. Make each of us a faithful steward of what you have entrusted to us, ready to be found at work when you come. Let us offer you a continual sacrifice of praise and never neglect to do good and to share. You live and reign for ever. Amen.