Messenger March 15 201

Dear Friends in Christ, I am writing this as Japan is facing a natural calamity of unprecedented proportions. The magnitude of the recent massive earthquake and the devastation caused by the consequent tsunami are quite disturbing. The loss of thousands of lives and destruction to land, livestock, and property is heart- wrenching. The impact of what has happened to the land and to the people of Japan is affecting the entire world. The loss and sorrow of the people of Japan touches the hearts and minds of everyone in the world.

Though Japan has advanced technology, and a relatively better economy than many other countries in the world, this natural calamity once again reminds us that human beings are not able to control nature, which belongs to God (Psalms 24). It is commendable to note that some of Japan’s high-rise buildings with its strong foundations and sophisticated engineering withstood the power of those tidal waves. Indeed, Japan’s technological superiority and preparedness enabled that country to implement precautionary measures that may have minimized what otherwise could have been a much greater extent of death, damage, and destruction. Nevertheless, the loss of thousands of lives, the damage to its nuclear facilities, the potential for nuclear irradiation, and the oil and gas explosions show us how powerless Japan is in spite of all its obvious advances. Such events, should give us pause to realize that human inventions and the technological progress have limitations.

The words of the Japanese Prime Minister “We will overcome” inspires hope not only to the Japanese people but the world. This is a time for the whole world to join its forces to help Japan overcome this recent calamity. In addition, it should be a time for all of humanity to appreciate the power of nature and work out a balance with nature to bring back harmony within the entire cosmos. It should also be a time for people to reflect on the immense power of God, and on His grace that sustains us.

Our Maramon convention this year had the theme: Where are you? Where is your brother? These questions are two sides of the same coin. God asks both these questions. The first question was to Adam (Gen 3:10), and second was to his son Cain (Gen 4:9). These questions are also pertinent to each of us, and we should find an answer for them before God. At the same time, these questions concern the intergenerational relationships in our homes, families, and society. The omnipotent God knows where we are and where our brother is, but God still wants us to seriously consider these questions and respond to them, if we wish to remain as His children. God’s wisdom enables us to find out where we are and where our brother is. The scribe who came to Jesus knew all the divine laws and he was practicing them. Yet he was not able to recognize who his neighbor was. Jesus enabled him to find out how he could be a good neighbor. The vision and insights that these questions give are quite essential for our spiritual well being. I thank God that the 116th Maramon Convention, which coincided with the 175th Anniversary of Malankara Reformation, was a blessing to all.

These are days when our Diocese and the whole church are having elections at various places to select representatives to the Diocesan Assembly and the Prathinidhi Mandalam. Our Church has a democratic pattern of administration. President Abraham Lincoln explained democracy as “from the people, by the people and for the people”. People are important more than the positions, status and power of the elected representatives. Jesus Christ taught us the significance of Servant Ministry (Mk 10: 35 45). St. Paul stressed that we should respect others as ‘more important’ than ourselves. I am thankful to the people who step up to take on the various responsibilities in the Diocese. However, I am also concerned that the same people may be taking up the various positions for the last 10 or 15 years, and seem to be exchanging their seats of power, as if they are playing musical chairs. If this is true, it will not help bring newer people to positions of leadership and it will not motivate our younger generation to come forward and take responsibility for continuing the work of the Church. Decision making and democracy should not be viewed merely in terms of having a numerical majority. Of course, our Sabha Constitution allows for decisions to be made based on the numerical majority. But the emphasis of the church, as we see in the Bible, must be based on the ability of the community to gather together to seek God’s will and be guided by the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:4,6,15, etc. Therefore, democracy will have meaningful significance only when we base our democracy on moral foundations, which we discern as the values of the kingdom of God.

I also wish to draw your attention to the happenings in Egypt, Lybia and the other Arab countries, where we see a rising tension between Monarchy and Democracy. In Egypt, and in Libya, people have expressed their desire to participate in decision-making bodies. When there is disparity between the rich and the poor, people cry for better governance and the sharing of resources. When people are denied privileges and marginalized; they raise their voice for better administration. Power and wealth can bring in corruption, and misuse of authority can erode value systems. Power can be misused and freedom can be misunderstood. There are great lessons to be learned not only from natural calamities but also from such historical incidents. One can very well ask the questions as to what is the role of the church in our world today. The Church has to remain a called-out community to be a catalyst ministering towards the total transformation of the cosmos, in accordance with the will and purpose of God. We are happy and proud that our special Sabha Mandalam elected Revs. Dr. Varghese Mathai, Dr. Oommen George, and K. V. Varkey as the new bishop designates. The Ramban consecration of these three Achens will take place at Ernakulum on Saturday, May 7, 2011, and their Episcopal Consecration will take place at Thiruvalla on Monday, August 15, 2011. congregations, through Kalpanas, about the details of these consecrations. All our bishops were present at the special Mandalam and we need to remember all of them in our prayers, especially because some of them are new to providing leadership for the consecrations. The bishop designates also need our regular prayers as they prepare themselves for the special ministry to which God has called them through the Church. This is also a time for all the members of the Church to renew their commitment to Christ our Lord and Master. It is befitting that we are in the midst of the 50 days of Lent, where we follow the footsteps of the Jesus Christ who incarnated, walked through the streets of Galilee, died on the cross and rose from the dead. May all these events bring renewal and transformation in our lives and remind us that we look forward with hope to His coming again to judge the quick and the dead.

This issue of the Mar Thoma Messenger has the theme: Gospel and the Challenges of the post Modernity. Gospel is Jesus Christ. “Repent and believe…” is His message. Post Modernity should help turn the attention of human beings living in the modern era, from selfishness and materialism in a technocratic world, to be more conscious of the presence of the Ultimate Reality and to hold on to the values in the Kingdom of God.

May the spring season refresh and renew us with added life, and the summer that follows enable us to bear fruits for the glory of God.

Yours in Christ’s Ministry Geevarghese Mar Theodosius
Diocesan Episcopa,
March 15, 2011