Message from the Metropolitan
Dearly beloved in the Lord,
The month of June arrived with plenty of hearty experiences that really added flavor and novelty in human life. Thousands of children in Kerala start their school life in this month. The little children walk the steps of the school along with their parents, happily carrying with them many a dream. They are welcomed wholeheartedly by the teachers and the school authorities. Let us pray for these little ones. Best wishes to every child!
The present days have made human life more anxious because of the drastic changes that occur in climatic conditions around the globe. Be it rain or draught, we have to be very much alert about the preservation of nature. We must keenly observe the preservation of the environment that we dwell in, and assure cleanliness as spiritual engagement. No body has the right to distort this world created by God. On the other hand everybody should strive to make this world more beautiful and lively. For the healthy survival of society we need to have educational seminars for environmental preservation, cleanliness, and the planting of saplings.
We got permission to worship in Qatar, along with 28 Church denominations. Qatar had been, once, considered an inaccessible land for believers. But by God’s grace we were able to build a multistoried church and other buildings adjacent to the church in Qatar. The Suffragan Metropolitan and I gave leadership for the dedication of the church and the building complex on June 12, 2009. I specially congratulate our believers in Qatar. The festival mood created by the members of the Qatar Mar Thoma Church reminds us of the church entry of King Solomon, after the completion of the Jerusalem Temple. We praise the Lord for the grace we derived from Him. I convey my gratitude to the authorities of the State of Qatar.
Let us also pray for obtaining a plot of land to build a church in Bahrain. When I visited Bahrain recently, I was able to meet some of the officials in the government and talk on our needs. The procedures for acquiring land are in progress. Hope we would be able to materialize our dream in the near future.
In June we paid off Rs 33.5 million to the bank which we borrowed from them for the construction of the Geriatric Center at the Kumbanad Fellowship Hospital. I express my thanks to all those who generously gave money as donations and interest free loans. I counsel the members of the Church to contribute money to repay the interest free loans in the earliest possible.
In addition to the B.Sc. Nursing Course we started at the Kattanam St. Thomas Mission Hospital, we got sanction to begin B. Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology Course and B. Sc. Optometry & Ophthalmology Course. Please note that admission is possible for these courses also.
We began our meditations for the month of June with the vision that education is the journey towards real knowledge. Then, along with that, we declared, environment related topics as part of our faith. We shared the thoughts about God’s call and His mission. Nowadays, the instigations and attractions of today’s acquired culture are seen playing the upper hand. It seems the concept of what one can offer to the Church and Society has become obsolete. It is unfortunate that the bad results of such a change are observed today, in the Church and Society, and especially among the Clergy. It is to be noted, in this context, with great attentiveness the words of our Lord that, ‘no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’
We observed the last Sunday in June, as the Second Millennium Jubilee of the Conversion of St. Paul. Born in a noble family as a Roman citizen who derived superior education and had many other ennobling qualities, Paul, counting every thing a loss for Christ through the vision of the cross, dedicated himself on this day, to follow Jesus literally each moment in all walks of his life. God transformed Apostle St. Paul as the artisan and the architect of the Church.
I, on June 27th, entered the age of 79 and on June 29th, into the 53rd year of my ministry. I praise the Lord for God’s grace I had all these days.
It is written, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
Grace be with you all.
Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan