We celebrated Onam, the festival of Kerala with great enthusiasm. Northern Kerala was hard hit by severe natural calamities like the floods. We were able to provide assistance to the affected people through the ‘Christian Agency For Rural Development’ - CARD’s, Natural Calamity fund. The Kunammkulam–Malabar Diocesan Episcopa provided the necessary leadership towards the relief effort. I am happy to inform, the Dubai Mar Thoma Parish and other NGO’s joined hands in providing much needed relief at this critical time.
People in Kerala fear the upcoming monsoon season. A hurricane that formed in Pacific has already devastated parts of China, Japan and Taiwan. To help the people in times of natural calamities, we need to strengthen our Natural Calamity fund. Parishes both in India and abroad should cooperate in this effort. We need to remember that we cannot provide timely help if we go collecting funds after a calamity. We should not forget, it is an important mission of the church to extend a helping hand in times of need.
Today, epidemics affect Kerala more than floods. Last monsoon, when Kerala was affected by epidemics like Dengue fever, Chikungunia etc., Malayalees who lived in safe, unaffected places cancelled their vacations and stayed away from their own people. Developed nations, thought to be safe are now affected by H1-N1 fever. These diseases are now carried to India and as a result, many more of our people are dying. There is no “secure” place in the world today. Diseases affect people across national boundaries and it is wrong to degrade any nation by labeling them “insecure”. I wish all success, and lend my full support towards the preventive measures initiated by the government.
I am happy to learn of the initiatives taken by the Central Government in the development of Kerala. I hope the people of Kerala will rise beyond their narrow political divisions and make proper use of this opportunity. PWD Minister Mons Joseph, through his uncorrupt governance has improved the quality of roads in Kerala. I wish all the success to P.J. Joseph who is taking charge from Mons Joseph and hope that he will carry on the good work.
When Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas stepped down from his post, he led an uncorrupt ministry and introduced many new programs to improve the financial health. He was able to lead the transportation ministry to self-sufficiency. I wish and hope the new ministers will continue the good example demonstrated by their predecessors. The Central and Kerala government make a lot of empty promises to ordinary people. Money ear marked for a particular cause should be utilized appropriately to fulfill these promises. Government should undertake measures to avoid middlemen.
It is sad to see, even as late as August, the academic instability has not yet been corrected. It is true that neighboring states have completed one semester, but we haven’t started yet. The leaders should understand that students in neighboring states will complete their studies one and a half years before students from Kerala. It is immoral to play with the future of students in Kerala. Students organizations and government should amend their policies for the betterment of the students.
The students are agitating without comprehending the actual issues in the field of education. We should not leave behind our educational values for mere political gains. When Student organizations’ rise for political causes, we need to step back and ponder if these will really benefit education. In the field of education, Christian churches in Kerala work with a social commitment. It is no surprise, when government gave permission to businessmen to start self financing colleges, this field turned to a mere business venture.
Those who analyze history will understand that churches started education institutes by collecting resources from the people. Schools were close to church not vice-versa.
Some student organizations brand churches as business people in the field of education. It’s hard to comprehend, why they keep mum against the profit making self financing colleges? They need to self examine.
Some political parties degrade the church and its educational mission based on incorrect facts. Political intervention to cause division amongst the Christian leaders is unfortunate and objectionable. The constitution of India grants religious minority groups the right to start an educational institution admit students and appoint teachers. The same is the case with charitable organizations. Architects of the constitution made special provisions for the safety and security of minority groups. We should not give up these Constitutional rights for short term benefits. If we succumb and give in to their demands and force, it will be a great loss for generations to follow.
We are preparing ourselves for the Church Assembly. Creative criticisms are always welcome. All of us have the responsibility to hear them patiently. Prepare ourselves to talk respectfully to others, even when there is a difference of opinion. With total discipline and lofty visions, assembly members should plan for the future of the church.
This academic year, many of our schools faced division fall. You can read more about this in my previous letter. In September we focused on the reformation of the church and common humanity along with sharing of faith. In September, the people of Kerala celebrated Onam. People from all walks of life and communities celebrate Onam in Kerala, in remembrance of the good old days. When we welcome good rulers and their vision and strive to make this land God’s own land and nurture a good dream for tomorrow Onam will become a reality.
The first Sunday of September, we meditated about Jesus who has authority over the evil spirit. In Jesus’ teaching style, when people asked questions, he helped them to find the answer themselves and send them back with conviction. Jesus did not prepare answers in advance; rather it was derived through conversations. This was the delightful communication style of the gospel. Followed by this, we observed Sevika Sanghom Sunday. Church should recognize women and give them deserving positions in the church. God created humans as men and women with different abilities. Church and society should recognize this and accept them. We should always remember that blessings are not captured, but God grants them by his grace. Do not neglect the blessings we continually receive from God and do not be selfish as this is against the values of his kingdom.
On Sunday, September 20th, we focused on the political responsibility of God’s people.
To share the experience and wisdom of seniors with the younger generation, we observed September 27 as a Senior citizen Sunday. This day also marked the founding of the Church of South India. Let us pray for that sister church. October first Sunday is celebrated as Voluntary Evangelist’s Sunday to enable local parishes educate the people about their mission work.
But mark this. There will be terrible times in the last days, people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money boastful; proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous without self control, brutal not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of Godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.(2Thimothy 3:1-5)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of…(2Thimothy 3:14)
Grace be with you all,
Dr.Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan,
Poolatheen.
Aug 14, 2009