Message from the Metropolitan

Dearly beloved in the Lord,

The golden month of Onam has just passed. Keralites did not get the Monsoon as expected and the Northern Kerala suffered much loss from the floods. Under the supervision of the Kunnamkulam-Malabar Diocese Episcopa, through CARD, the Mar Thoma Church was able to give financial aid from our relief fund to the people of this area. Now, during the period of North Eastern Monsoon, Kerala people are under panic owing to the sudden changes in the climatic conditions. The hurricanes that formed in the Pacific already caused much destruction in China, Japan, and Taiwan. Our parishes in India and abroad must be vigilant to collect more money in order to increase our relief fund in this context. Let us not forget that we should have sufficient funds to extend our hands of support and care in the true christian spirit at the time of crucial catastrophe.

Another misfortune that our people face today is the threat of H1N1 flue. This rare sickness is becoming the cause of many deaths in our land. With a world that is brought closer by information technology and easier transportation methods, no place is fully safeguarded against possible outbreaks or other security threats.

The field of education is still in a very unstable state. The political parties and their student wings must deviate from their selfish interests. They should strive to be a part of the purification process, rather than becoming instruments of destruction and loss of values.
 
About the Mandalam meeting, I hope and pray that the representatives should behave with a sense of respect and humility. The members of the Mandalam must always hold high regard for the vision of the Church. They should involve with greater sense of dignity and discipline. They should use this platform to submit real blue prints which may heighten the Christian vocation of our Church.

Onam celebrations have just ended. Our hearts get into the beautiful experience of the real Onam through the lines of the poet who wrote:

• The flowers of mango trees when the dew drops fall,
  
• The ripe fruits’ smile when Summer soars,
  
• The blessed boat races in the rain dipped days,
  
• All together, we have in Onam’s ringing tones.
   

Haven’t we lost today the sweetness and taste of the songs of Onam, which we, in yester years, sang in true brotherhood and love?

On the first Sunday of September, we meditated our true master, Jesus, who did rule over the evil spirits. His teaching method was very convincing. He used to elicit answers from the person who asked Him questions. And the person, after answering, will return with satisfaction and faith. Jesus never prepared texed answers earlier. Everything turns out through dialogs and conversations. This happens to be the relishing beauty of the gospel. The Sevika Sanghom Day is celebrated in September. The Church should be ready to give responsible positions to women. God created man and woman with different talents. Understanding and acknowledging this truth, the Church should be prepared to give women deserving posts. We have to remember that we do not get our rights by force, but we get them by the grace of God. It is time we deeply think of God’s blessings and how we can remain selfless without having the greed to attain power and position.

On September 20th, we meditated on the political responsibilities of the people of God. September 27th is the Senior Citizen Sunday. Let them share their wisdom and experience with the young on that day. On 27th, we also celebrate the formation of the Church of South India. Let us pray for the elimination of all the problems that exist in that Church. The Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association Day is observed in early October. The week long programs must enable the parishes to equip themselves for the visions of the gospel and to make those visions reach the populace.

“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.” (2 Timo. 3:1-5).

“Remain in what you have learned and have become convinced of” (2 Timo.3:14).

Grace be with you all,

Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan