Love the Overlooked

"Put on the apron of humility to serve one another."

- 1 Peter 5:5

I'm reminded of a Christmas story in which Jesus appears to a man in his dream and tells him that he will visit him on Christmas day. He is very joyful, makes great preparations and waits for Jesus on the day. 

The day come, the man eagerly waits with a lavish feast and best arrangements in his home. He hears a knock and goes to the door to check. It would be a beggar asking for a little food or money ! He gets disappointed. Not wanting to waste time, he shoos him away. 

After sometime an old lady comes and asks for some heat since it is very cold outside. He says he doesnt have any space. 

This goes on a couple of times and the man always shoves them away with one or the other reason since he is waiting for his main guest - Jesus.

The day goes by and Jesus doesnt come. 

In his dream, the man sees Jesus and asks him, "Jesus, I waited for you all day. Why didnt you come ? "

Jesus answered , "I came not once but many times. The beggar, the old woman, the cripple .. they were all me"

The Shepherd's Voice

"A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live"
- John 5:28-29

The passage is about the day when everyone will hear Jesus's voice. The living and the departed.
For some, his voice would be familiar. For some, it would be strange.

The sheep who've been always near him would hear his voice as they've always been hearing.
Others who went away would hear the voice but only once. They would not recognize it.

I think Jesus talks to us daily. In the very minutest of things that we do, he urges us to do them all right. Let's listen to him.

You Are Mine

"Our lives are in the True One and in his Son, Jesus Christ"
- 1 John 5:20

Tonight's passage has a short anecdote about how Max worked with his publisher to get this book out. The publisher could've stopped this book from getting out but they signed on. They had trust in the power of the book and the effect it would have on everyone who read it.

God knows our entire story, entire life. Even if we go astray, even if we're imperfect in his eyes, he lets us go on. He has trust on us. He says "You are Mine. I know you will do well". Thank You God.

One Incredible Plan

"He humbled himself and was fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death - death on a cross"
- Phil 2:8

God has a plan for everyone in this world.
He is someone who knows each hair in your body and knew your course of life while you were in your mothers womb.
Amidst all tribulations and triumphs, all ups and downs, let's remember that things will get better. Everything is for good. It is all for the glory of God's name.

The 6th Sunday of the Great Lent - Catholicate Day

We reached church exactly at the time when Qurbana started. 

The veil opened and we saw sushrooshakkaran holding candle and walking and Achen following him with dhoopakkutti 

( Deacon holding candle signifies John the Baptist and Priest is Jesus himself). 

Since today was "Sabhadinam", I thought we'd be able to see flag hoisting but I guess we missed it by just a few minutes (or so I thought). 

Today's Gospel

The Gospel of the day was about Jesus healing the blind man. 

His disciples ask him, "Rabbi, who sinned, the man or his parents ?"

Jesus says "None of them. He was born blind to glorify the name of God. "

Jesus healing the blind man is probably the most amazing of all miracles. A man is experiencing, for the first time, something that he'd never experienced in his entire life. 

In all the other miracles, be it 'Healing the leper', 'Raising Lazarus from the dead', 'Healing the paralized' ... people always went to a state they wanted or knew about.  The blind man could never have any idea of how the world looked when his eyes were opened. 

I think in many ways this is the exact experience that every one who received Gospel had. 

Achen's message today was not on Jesus healing the blind but about "Church day".  He said how wrong it was to say "Why should we come to church, we can pray from home. God is everywhere".  He said it is a heresy to say that. We should never ever speak anything evil of Church. It is the bride of Christ. Church was established by Christ himself. 

He said he couldn't do the flag hoisting in the morning. I was kind of glad to hear that. 

We had it after the Qurbana. 

After reaching home, I searched for some more material on Catholicate day. Found this in an ICON post in ICON yahoo groups .

Source :  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/22908

The Church celebrates Catholicate Day on the sixth Sunday of the Great Lent. The

Catholicate was relocated to Malankara on September 17, 1912. On that day,

Patriarch Abul Masih II of the Syriac Church installed Murimattathil Paulose Mar

Ivanios as Catholicos Baselius Paulose I in a solemn ceremony at Niranom St

Mary's Church, signalling the assertion of freedom and independence of the

Mother Church of India founded by the apostle St Thomas.

On each Catholicate Day, we renew the pledge to uphold the freedom and

self-respect of the Church under all circumstances and pray for the primate of

our church so that the Good Lord grants him long life, wisdom and the ability to

lead his sheep in the path of righteousness.

Along with that we also pray for the Holy Synod as well as the clergy and lay

leadership of the church so that the Good Lord guides them in taking wise

decisions.

Let's also use the occasion to reflect on the sacrifices made by the founding

fathers of the Catholicate to keep the flame of freedom aglow.

We remember LL HH Catholicos Baselius Paulose I of blessed memory who allowed

himself to be raised to this office in old age braving a phalanx of opposing

forces determined to snuff out the independence and self-respect of the Church

at the behest of foreign masters. He suffered greatly for this sacrifice but

remained steadfast to his ideals till his last breath.

We remember Vattasseril thirumeni, Saint, Malankara Metropolitan and architect

of the relocation of the Catholicate in Malankara. This valiant soldier braved

many a provocation, including an unjust excommunication, strife, threats,

violence and litigation, but held firm in his resolve to reclaim the dignity of

his church.

We also remember Patriarch Abdul Masih II, who travelled far in old age, to

repair the damage done to the fabric of fraternal ties between the Syriac Church

and Malankara by the usurper Patriarch Abdulla II Satuff. To prevent a

repetition of such events, he consented to the installation of the Catholicate

in Malankara, and using the authority of high office vested in him, issued two

bulls explaining the circumstances leading to the installation of the

Catholicate and the rights bestowed on the Catholicos, which reduced the powers

hitherto enjoyed by the Patriarch to a vanishing point.

We also remember all the departed spiritual leaders of the Church and the

valiant soldiers among the laity who gave a good part of their earthly life in

the pursuit of upholding the Church's independence and self-respect.

On this Catholicate Day, let's rededicate to conduct ourselves in a manner which

cherishes the heritage and pride which comes with being a member of the Mother

Church of this great country of ours.

God bless the Catholicate in Malankara which represents the aspirations of a

people.

ICON MODERATORS     

Other links

• http://www.stmarysnova.org/documents/Catholicate_Day_2007.doc
  
• Origin of Catholicate , Patriachate & Vision - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/10071
• Catholicate History - http://www.icon.org.in/icon_catholicate_hist.icon

Loved by God

"The Lord loves you."

- Deut 7:8

This is a great message that echoes through many of the passages in "Grace for the Moment". 

God's love is a deep well from which we can always draw from. When we have this everlasting and unending source, why should we hesitate in giving our love to others ?

If we love others, we lose nothing. 

But if we don't love, do we lose something ? 

What is the use of keeping all the treasure that you got for free ?

What is the use of a well that has water but is locked that no one can draw from it ? 

If we could give something to someone, something worthwhile, it is love and consideration. 

Footprints of Discipleship

"All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. "

- John 13:35

The passage starts with a glimpse of a father and son walking on snow. The father walks ahead and son stretches, jumps to follow him on the footprints. 

God led the way.

The disciples followed his footprints.

Our ancestors followed the footprints of the disciples.

We're following the footprints of our ancestors.

By following tradition, we're following the path of God. 

Teachings of God is the only lasting thing that we can pass to the next generation. 

It ends with a question. Will others be blessed by following your steps ?

Hear His Music

"The Lord disciplines those he loves"

- Heb 12:6

Oh ! today's passage was a bit shaking. 

God's music is lovely. But due to all the noise, we just igore it. So he stops them one by one and makes you listen to it. When all is gone, job, wealth, health, what is left.. but God ?

A says God does that often. He takes luxuries and sometimes necessities away so that we can pray? May be it is to make us understand the price of things. 

God's Priority

"Depend on the LORD;

trust him,

and he will take care of you."

- Ps 37:5

Paul says a man who doesn't feed is family is the worst kind. 

We are God's family. He will feed us. He will attend to all our needs.

God will give everything that we want. 

God's Child

"The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God.

And we really are his children."

- 1 John 3:1

There are so many positive assertions in today's reading.

You are God's heir and a co-heir with Christ

You are eternal like an angel

You have a crown that will last forever

You are a holy priest

You are a treasured possession

..

If there is something important to us, it is important to God.

Reliability

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much"

- Luke 16:10

The passage talks about saints, who were always reliable, who were steadfast in their faith. 

We need to follow their example. 

But does "Being Reliable" mean you always do what is expected by someone else ? A thinks that is what the term means. Playing to the expectation of the relatives and the world. Hmm.. I think we always set the expectation with others. Why would others expect something that we cannot do. We set the expectation, we meet it, we're reliable. If someone sets unrealistic expectations of us, we need to make things clear. 

Life Is Not Fair

"Love your neighbor as you love yourself"

- Gal 5:14

The passage says "Life is not fair. It is a fact".

It's so jarring just to hear this. 

Yes yes, we know .. but you always think.. sometimes life is a little unfair but most of the times it is ok. It is probably our impression that it is unfair and it is really not so..etc.

But when someone says point blank, "Life is unfair", you're a bit lost. You might get angry a bit. Why is life unfair ? 

Well, it doesnt matter if life is fair or unfair, what matters is if we have harboured hatred for anyone or not. 

A Godly Touch

"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said

'I will. Be healed!'"

Matt 8:3

If we've been touched by Jesus, we can touch others and make a lasting impression in their lives. 

Helping someone is the best thing we could do in our lives. 

What is Grace?

"My grace is enough for you.

When you are week, my power is made perfect in you."

2 Cor 12:9

These lines in the passage struck a cord. 

Grace is something that you did not expect.

It is something that you certainly could never earn. 

But grace is something that you'd never turn down. 

The passage made me think of people who preach Gospel. I've always wondered what motivates them ? What motivates someone to take the risk of preaching a concept (or "religion" if you call it) to a stranger ? Why would you even talk to a stranger when you know that the world is full of weird people who might hurt you ? I guess it is "Grace" ! The overwhelming feeling of having received something so great for free wants you to give some of it to others. It is the yearning to make the world a better place. 

Today is "Vachanippu Perunal" - this is celebrated exactly 9 months before 25th December to mark the day on which Angel told Mary of the good news. 

A Few More Scenes

"'In this world you will have tribulation.' Jesus promises, 

'but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world'"

- John 16:33

Today's passage is about Christ having overcome "the world". 

We have so many troubles in our day-to-day life. But we need not worry because our faith is in a God who became Man and overcame the world. When he says "It is finished", that encourages us to go through with life amidst all the troubles cheerfully.

A Cloak of Love

"Love .. always protects" - 1 Cor 13 : 4 - 7

If there is anything that can save the world, if there is anything that is more precious than everything else in this world, if there is any word more important than others .. it is Love.
Love is a 'cloak' that protects us from evils and troubles. It saves us from trouble, it saves us from doing trouble.
Our God, our friends and family .. they are the ones who give us the cloak of Love.

The Standard

"Are we qualified to set the standards for holiness ? Why or why not ? Who is qualified ?"

The question reminded me of a TV program that I saw last Sunday evening. There was this guy who went out in the public and asked random people about God, whether they accepted if there was a God or not. Many people answered no !

Among the crowd of people our man spoke to, one particular person grabbed my attention. He said, he's been living a just life, has kids, wife, been married for over 20 years and has been a very good man always. So the TV host says, you are judging yourself by the standards of men. They are much lower than the standards of God.
"Have you lusted in your mind ? "
"Yes"
"Have you told a lie ?"
"Yes"
"There you go. You have sinned"

At that moment, I thought it was absurd. How high can one have his standards ?
It makes sense. God's standards are much higher. We don't set them.
Jesus said "You must be perfect just as your father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
If we think we're good, we must strive to do better.

God's Family of Friends

"Christ placed us in his family of friends. How have you been helped by members of God's family? How can you reach out to help your members and sisters in Christ?"

The passage says "when you put your trust in Christ, he not only pardons you but places you in his family of friends".
Church is a place that shapes the future of many people. If we look at people who are truly helpful and giving and ethical, they mostly had a very good community in their Church. One learns to truly share and do things as a group in Church. In Church, we start with the thought that "Everyone is good. Everything done is for Christ".
I have been helped by my Church members. I thank them every day in my prayers. There are many ways I can reach out. I could teach something. I could give money.
"How can we reach out ?" is a good question. There are so many ways to reach out to people in trouble. Yet often we tend to think, we're the ones in trouble and everyone else is leading a happy life. We probably tend to look only at our colleagues, that too only the ones who're doing well. May be we're seeing only the outside. They may have their issues. God, help in making the world a better place. Amen.

The Cloak of Humanity

Question for the day :
"Take a moment to read the fourteenth chapter of Mark. What are your impressions about Christ's prayer? How does this encourage you to trust God? "

Mark Chapter 14 describes the events that became the turning point for humanity. These are the main events (Headings from my Bible)

1. The Plot against Jesus
2. Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany
3. Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
4. Jesus Eats the Passover Meal with His Disciples
5. The Lord's Supper
6. Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
7. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
8. The Arrest of Jesus
9. Jesus before the Council
10. Peter Denies Jesus

It was good that "Grace" recommended reading this. The day started well and made me think a lot. Jesus, who knew what is coming, prayed so earnestly at Gethsemane. How hard should we, who know nothing about what is coming, pray ? He taught us that however great our troubles are, we can pray. We have a God who listens to us. Pray earnestly. This is probably the best lesson during this Lent.

Remember Jesus

"Explain why we are always better off to forget the negative and focus on Jesus instead"

If we dwell on negativity, we tend to lose hope and become bitter.
In anguish, we might sin more.
Remembering Jesus elevates us to Godliness.

Dark Nights - God's Light

How does God want us to respond when the night is dark ?

God wants us to have hope and faith.
He wants us to take our troubles to him and know that he will solve all our problems.
Pray. That is the solution to all problems.
Pray and we will have no problems.

Grace For The Moment - Enlightenment

We've been reading this book for over a couple of weeks now. 

It is really good. Inspiring and thought provoking.

There is a question at the end of every reading and I always write a sentence or two. 

A gave a good idea to blog this. 

Grace For The Moment - Discovery

March 8th !

A & I were in Barnes&Noble after a very good game of Scrabble. She said she wanted to buy something for me and suggested going to Macy's, I said we'll go to B&N and buy a book. 

"The Ode Less Travelled" was the book I had in mind. We were in the bookshop for a couple of hours and didnt decide on a book. Some were too large, some too small, some had poems that we'd already read, some were costly.. I just found some reason to not buy. 

I always felt that all the books that I bought always beckoned me. All the books were not conscious decisions but they'd just happened. 

"Grace for the moment" happened just like that.

We thought we'd just browse through the "Religion books" section and there amidst all the books was this leather bound edition. It was a special edition which contained Morning and Evening versions.

We will try to read this every day - day and night.