Messages

DEARLY BELOVED IN CHRIST JESUS
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

It is indeed our Lord’s mercy that we enter into the New Year 2021. Praise God for the wonderful fostering amidst all mélange experiences. As it is written in the book of Deuteronomy,“It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end” (Deuteronomy11:12). I wish everyone a Happy New Year and pray that all may experience the divine Grace and providence that surpasses all human understanding.

 

The invention, distribution and the availability of the Covid-19 vaccine is reassuring. But we need to continue the intense alertness and vigilance in maintaining the social vaccine. We may be tempted to believe that the pre-covid scenario has been restored, but in reality that is a myth. The Covid-19 pandemic makes us to realize that human beings cannot claim absolute invincibility with the mere help of science and technology. Instead of being eager to go back to the past, we must learn from the past and move forward in God’s grace. At this juncture, let us remember with gratitude the health care workers who are willing to risk their own safety and care for Covid-19 patients and others. The community and the church appreciate their services. Our churches have been opened for worship in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis within the protocol restrictions set up by the governing bodies. Even though the circumstances make the participation of young children, senior citizens and sick in the worship not possible, we strongly believe and give priority of their spiritual upbringing.

 

  The sacrament of Holy Ordination is being conducted in these days and 49 people who have completed their theological and practical training are entering the full time ministry as Deacon and Presbyter. The candidates include those from outside Kerala with unique linguistic and cultural backgrounds indicating the new horizon in the mission and ministry of the Church. I beseech you all to kneel down in prayers to receive the overwhelming Grace of God in the Ordination Services.

 

Congratulations to all who have won the recent local body elections in Kerala. Those who assume various responsibilities in the local governance must realize that their aim is to enrich and enhance the welfare of the people. The winners and losers are encouraged to go hand in hand to accomplish this goal. Effective development of infrastructure like good roads, clean drinking water, effective waste management systems, nurturing of public health system, effective education system and conservation of nature etc. must be the prime focus of the newly elected local governing bodies. If they are successful in achieving these, it enhances the sustainable ambience of our living atmosphere. It is highly appreciated that half of the newly elected representatives are women which indicate more involvement of women in the nation building.

 

It is a concern that our farmers who work hard to feed the nation fight for their rights in the nation’s capital in the midst of adverse climatic conditions. Many people from all walks of life have proclaimed their solidarity with the farmers with their presence, words, writings and gestures. The different corners of the world including activists, academic intelligentsia and ruling governance have already responded to this burning issue and they all are keeping a close watch on the issue. In spite of the deaths and setbacks due to climatic conditions and misappropriations from the government, the farmers find energy to move forward to make the rulers realize the fundamental rights of the farmers against the corporates. In genuine Democracy the rulers, who are elected by the people, should be humble enough to listen to the sections of the society who really feed the multitudes. In genuine democracy we have the room for mutual respect and criticism. It transcends the elements of domination and enriches the spirit of co-existence. I hope the rulers will be filled with divine wisdom to internalize the pain, agony and anxiety of the farmers and come with decisions that strengthen the life of the farmers. It is this spirit of democracy that should bring all members of the church to taste the principle of mutual respect and coexistence.

 

January 18-25 is internationally observed as unity prayer week. Let us meditate on the theme “if Christ dwells in love, it will bear much fruit” based on the Gospel of St. John chapter 15. I do encourage all our Vicars and parishes to arrange special ecumenical services in unifications with other denominations near by. Ecumenism is the fellowship of God’s love and it bridges the gap between the churches and also its members.

 

National Girl Child Day is observed on January 24. It is the need of the hour that we provide safe and secure living for our girl children when  discrimination and abuse of girl children and women are on its rise. The faith community has a responsibility to pay attention to this and ensure the dignity of girl children and women.

 

As our nation celebrates her Republic Day on January 26, let us remember the architects of our Constitution. Since our constitution offers fundamental rights and equality that can eradicate all social fears from the very psyche of people especially the less fortunate, its our earnest priority to protect our constitution from all malfunctioning and interpretations that can weaken it. The Church too has a moral responsibility to contribute positively for the building up of the nation based on democratic values.

 

The Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam begins its new academic year in January. The respective Vicars and teachers must ensure that proper learning takes place with adherence to Covid-19 protocol. Samajam will help to organize classes through online media. Kindly explore the possibilities of Google Meet, Zoom, Webex and Whatsapp to ensure effective learning at the parish Sunday School level.

 

Most Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, who was the Bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese, got retired from the active service of the Church. Let us praise God for his service as the Moderator and Deputy Moderator of CSI, during his tenure as the Bishop. He placed special emphasis on strengthening the CSI-CNI-Mar Thoma ecumenical relationships. Let us continue to pray for the Madhya Kerala Diocese who awaits for the new leadership.

 

It fills us with deep sense of sorrow that some of our beloved  people, who have rendered valuable service to the Church and community have finished their earthly race and has entered the heavenly abode. Most Rev. Dr. D K Mohanthy who was the moderator of CNI Church (1995-1998) and the Bishop of the Diocese of Cuttack passed away. Let us thankfully remember his contributions to the ecumenical relationship with the Mar Thoma Church. Rt. Rev. Dr. P G Kuruvilla who served as the bishop of North Kerala Diocese also passed away. Praise God for the blessed life and witness of these Church Fathers. Ms. Eli Kuruvilla, a member of the Emmanuel Mar Thoma Church, Eraviperoor and the Nursing Superintendent of the CMC, Vellore was taken to heavenly abode. After retiring from Vellore CMC, she worked at Oddanchatram Christian Fellowship Hospital and Kumbanadu Fellowship Hospital. Let us praise God for the blessed life of Ms. Kuruvilla who lived for the upliftment of women in the Central Travancore. Praying for the comfort of the bereaved family members.

 

The famous Malayalee poetess and environmental activist Mrs. Sugathakumari passed away recently. She gave remarkable service as a teacher, founding secretary of the Nature Conservation Committee, and the Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission. I hereby pay homage for her life and express the condolences of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

 

It was a blessed time that I could officiate the consecration service of St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church, Nakkada. Congratulation is due to the Vicar and the members of the parish for their hard labour in completing a beautiful church. The Annual General Body meeting of the Anaprambal JMM Mandiram was held. May the Mandiram extend its service offering home to the homeless.

 

The Church observes the Feast of Circumcision on January 1, the first day of the year.

 

Circumcision is a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and the nation of Israel. The continuation of the divine covenant is believed and followed in the New Testament church through Holy Baptism. The first Sunday (January 3) of the New Year is separated as Bahya Kerala Mission Sunday. It is God’s commission to the church to preach the gospel of God’s kingdom to all creations. The first and foremost mission of the church is the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. It is a continuation of the ministry of Christ, the Lord of the Church. The mission of the church gives direction to the world and helps it to grow-towards God. The Church recognizes the pains of the people and there evolves the mission of the Church. The compassion and tenderness we see in Jesus, inspire the church to deal with the pain and brokenness of the world. The Lord’s words “the harvest is  plentiful” indicate the great need of the mission. The conviction that Gospel belongs to all humankind and that the Gospel must go from familiar places to distant places gives a new awakening to the Church. The Church should be able to identify and intervene in areas of mission and areas according to the needs of the time. The Church still has a long way to go in the mission of sharing the Kingdom experience with the towns and villages of India.

 

On January 6 the Church commemorates Epiphany, the baptism of our Lord. When John the Baptist baptized our Lord, it is in fact the revelation of the Holy Trinity. As the Church

 

commemorates the life, testimony and death of the first martyr St. Stephen on January 8 (St.Stephen’s Day) the Church dedicates herself as a living sacrament.

 

The Church has set apart the second Sunday (January 10) as Anti-Drug day reflecting up on the theme “life is precious.” The use of Drugs and addiction to the electronic gadgets and its means like the mobile phones and the Internet lead individuals and families to a messy life with utmost misery. While we can individually overcome the clutches of these enslaving forces, we as a faith community are obliged to bring our brothers and sisters back to life with compassion and work for a drug-free society. The parable of Jesus, according to Luke 15:11, is a picture of a young man leaving his home and traveling to a world of pleasures and addictions.  His failure to discern what is real pleasure and understand the real value of his life lead him to an aimless loitering life.

 

When a person enters into the magical and illusionary world of addictive substances, the experiences of life disappear. Yet there is no doubt that the good heritages of his home will remain in his heart, even in  the paths of error. It is only the divine love that encourages a father to sees life as more precious than his pride and wealth. Consequently he restores his lost son with a willing mind waiting for his return. The spiritual practices of the family are the real investments in life.  The attitude of the eldest son is quite disturbing, he who, even while living in the house, fails to recognize the glory of the redemption of life.

 

On the third Sunday (January 17) the Church meditates on the theme “Church being the body of Christ”.  Jesus’ question to the disciples in Caesarea Phillipi, may seem simple, but the variety of answers indicates how differently people perceived  Jesus’  personality. Peter’s response to the question of ‘who Jesus is’ not simply about Jesus, rather, it is an unambiguous declaration of deep faith in Jesus. Their Master, Jesus, is Son of God the anointed one. It was not mere human knowledge, only with the vision of God; one can recognize who Jesus is.

 

 We can understand God only through God’s self-revelation. The church is built on the conviction that Jesus of Nazareth is the Anointed One by the living God. The Church is based on a strong faith that can stand firm in the face of the false doctrines and discrepancy that seek to disperse the community of faith. The Church must be strengthened in its witness life, so that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. It is the gift of the body of Christ in the experience of the world that must take place through the church.  Church needs to be happened every day in the World.

 

Fourth Sunday (January 24) is Ecumenical Sunday.  John 17, also known as the

Great Priestly Prayer of Jesus reveals Jesus’ deep desire that those who follow him should be perfect in truth, love, holiness and unity. Being sent into the world by God the Father is the same as the commission Jesus receives, which continues forever through the disciple-making church. The witness of the church continues forever through its unity. The church is based on the divine nature, which is revealed in the Trinity and is one with each other. It’s not human-made. It is an experience that the church recognizes and celebrates in her reality as partakers of God’s will. Disagreements within and between churches are at disruptive. Ecumenism is not only about the relationship between churches but also about the overall unity of society by respecting and acknowledging differences. Ecumenism is also an experience of integrity that encourages fellowship regardless of caste, creed, race or gender.

 

The Church observes three days fast from January 25 to 28. It is an opportunity to recognize the relevance of repentance and God’s compassion for those who truly repent. The church needs deep remorse and repentance, just as the people in the Nineveh expressed sorrow and repented up on Jonah’s preaching. Hence, let us offer ourselves to God.

 

On the last Sunday of January (January 31), the Church meditates ‘Christian participation in nation building’. John the Baptist gives a powerful message to the people who come to him invoking changes to existing practices and ideas. John the Baptist emphasizes the need for a repentant life to people who seek refuge in the traditional racial stereotypes of salvation. Spirituality must be manifested through the life of the faith community. John the Baptist advises that those who work in different fields, even soldiers, should not transgress the limits of their duty, authority and justice. Faith and spirituality make sense when one understands the shortcomings of others and share them the resources. The faith community cannot afford to ignore the realities of injustice, inequality, exploitation and poverty. The power and system of the nation should ensure the welfare and justice of the people.

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

 

Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan

 

Happy New Year to everyone

 

Poolatheen