Tharaka March 2010
God has led us through various blessed occasions in February and comforted us by his grace in the midst of doubts. When we see God’s presence in the Sabha Mandalam meeting and in the election of the Episcopal nomination board, we are reminded of the words of early apostles “it seemed good to the Holy spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). The attendance of mandalam members, dynamism in the election of the Episcopal Nomination board and large number of visitors in the history of Sabha Mandalam is all because of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us thank God for enabling us to conduct this year's Maramon Convention in a blessed manner. Though the Pandal and its surroundings were less dusty, present conditions on the riverbed were unsuitable for people to sit in the Pandal. Even in these inconvenient circumstances, our people attended the meeting with admirable discipline. The main thrust in all the messages was - gospel is not only propagation but sharing through life experiences. Let us thank God for the God ordained preachers who gave direction in this area.
This year Valiya Metropolitan attended most of the meetings and delivered a main talk at one of the meetings. All the messages reinforced the importance of protecting our environment in its pristine beauty, healthiness and fruitfulness which is handed over to us by God. May the God help us to understand this as our responsibility.
In a welcome step, Kerala Government distributed one lakh saplings to the people who attended the convention to maintain the equilibrium of our environment. These were specially prepared Teakwood saplings, which if planted properly would be economically beneficial. I wish all success in taking care of these saplings to all those who received them. I also express my thanks to the Kerala Government.
The last few years, we wanted to provide Mobile Toilets on the riverbed, for the protection of the environment. By the grace of God, we were able to provide mobile toilets in lieu of traditional make shift toilets. I applaud those who used them with responsibility and cleanliness. Each mobile toilet unit cost about Rs. 25,000. We need ten more units and are looking forward for sponsors. Let us hope that this will trigger a change in the area of environmental protection in other parts of Kerala too.
Though it was raining in the nearby areas just two days before the convention, there was no rain on the riverbed and this saved us from various inconveniences. In the Northern hemisphere people are facing snow. Though we experienced a slight increase in the temperature, riverbed was cool in the mornings and evenings thus reminding us God's care and protection in the midst of adversities.
If a seed remains a seed, it will not become a blessing for the world. When this seed comes in contact with the soil, it sprouts and grows and becomes a fruitful experience and blessing for others. This blessing is formulated through a process, when a seed falls into the ground it reacts to the contradictions on the ground - contradictions like drought, humidity, heat, cold, light, darkness and finally transforming it to a plant. What is the purpose of these experiences? These experiences help the plant produce robust seeds. This should be a reality in our life in relation with the word of God. When the word of God falls in our heart, it should react to the different circumstances of our life and there by bringing forth fruits of the gospel.
This is how the gospel lives through us, produces fruits and becomes a blessing for others. God expects from us to share this life giving gospel. Let us pray for God's grace to fulfill the will of God. St. Mark said, "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ", St. Paul said, "Remember Jesus Christ, rose from the dead, descended from David". St. Peter said...This is the gospel we need to share through our life experiences.
We are in the last month of the financial year. I remind the vicars and trustees to remit the money which was given to you by people for the church and other organization of the church in the Sabha office before March 15. Those parishes, which fail to elect office bearers before February 28 are requested to complete the procedure by March 31 and hand over the responsibilities to new office bearers by April 1. I applaud all office bearers for their active participation in this financial year.
We have entered the time of great lent. The essence of lent is not depriving satisfaction by avoiding certain things, rather it is a lifestyle with knowledge of the realities around us. Nehemiah lamented that, me and my father’s sinned against you and he meant because of their sin, bad things happened. Isaiah said," For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips..." St. Paul said "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” St. John wrote, "Any one who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." Lent should lead us to this kind of knowledge through repentance and transformation. On Lent Sundays we meditate upon the healing love of God.
When the leper came to Jesus, he said if you will, I can get back all what I lost. Jesus stretched out his hands and touched him, and gave back his sense of touch, and encouraged him to come to the forefront of the society by getting the certificate from the priest. The deaf man who was not able to hear the cry of the downtrodden and oppressed was healed by the touch of Jesus. Then he touched his tongue and told him to share what he had experienced. He regained his power of communication. When four people brought the paralyzed man to Jesus by overcoming different hurdles, seeing their faith Jesus healed the paralytic man. Immediately, he got up on his foot and took his mat and headed towards his home. The grace of God which on seeing the faith of the people enabled the paralytic man to walk is so amazing. The Lord appreciated the faith of the centurion and said "even in Israel, we haven't seen this kind of faith". These words remind us the authenticity of lent. We should not forget, it is distressing to God when we distance ourselves from the realities of the world.
When we enter the Passion Week, we concentrate on the cross where the wrath of God and love of God kissed each other. The thief on the cross who confessed his sin was accepted with a promise that "You will be with me in the paradise" where as the other thief who was not ready to confess, had lost this opportunity. If we fail to go through the lifestyle of renouncement and transformation then we will not hear the call of God that tells us "Inherit the paradise". May the good God help us to observe the blessed lent and experience the power of resurrection?
Grace be with you all,
Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan