Knowledge of Life Through Forgiveness

Preparing for Holy Nativity
Zechariah Prophecy
end of Luke Chapter 1

Zechariah said, "and you shall give the knowledge of life through the
forgiveness of sins."

I Peter 2:25 "...for all have gone astray like sheep."

The direct discussion of our human limitations and how we allow them to dominate
our spiritual life; how we take comfort in living inside of limitations rather
than go to the limit where we will meet God. Are we motivated to move beyond
mistakes, failures and sins?

Through the mercy and kindness of God? perhaps.

Fr. John Brian also discusses the analogy that St. Paul uses in Galatians
Chapter 4 to enhance our Orthodox Christian spirituality.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian
Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, December 9, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian
Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray for us and help us.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2012/12/knowledge-of-life-through-forgiveness.htm\
l

The Malankara World Journal Issue 114 Theme: Genealogy of Jesus Christ
(Dec 20, 2012) is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_114.htm

*Table of Contents *
(MWJ Issue No: 114 Theme: Genealogy of Jesus Christ)

1. Where Is God When Innocent People Are Slaughtered?
2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (Dec 23)
3. Sermons for This Sunday (Dec 23)
4. Why are There Different Genealogies for Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3?
5. Advent-Christmas Season in Orthodox Church
6. Why Does Jesus Have Two Different Genealogies?
7. Family Tree of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)
8. The Genealogy of the King (Exposition of Matthew 1:1-17)
9. Humble Praise and Joyful Anticipation
10. Malankara World Advent Supplement
11. Mystery of Advent, The Things of Christmas
12. My Most Memorable Christmas
13. Syria Relief Appeal
14. Health: Medicine Is In Your Mouth
15. Recipe: Delicious Pea and Chickpea Soup
16. The Old Dog
17. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_114.htm

Thank you for your support and help.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

Shibu and Betty came home aghast from watching the Suresh Gopi starrer
"Commissioner".  "Ente Karthave! What have we done?" "Why did we name our
daughter `Shittymol'?? S*IT!"
Parents can name their children whatever they want, but hey just be careful, you
don't want to end up in an old age home for naming your kids wrong, do you? :P

That said, I don't really agree with what has been written on this topic by the
few respectable members who have chosen to respond. And it's a shame that
members having Indian names haven't responded.
Words like "curious","awful","admonish" were freely used by a respected member
to describe a name; a name which, according to me, is beautiful. We clearly have
different sensibilities!
Another respected member said "The baptism name cannot be rathidevan or
kamadevan". Pray tell me why?
We certainly have no problem in using `Diana'. Or should I say `Nayattu
devi/Prasava devi/Chandra devi'? FYI Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt,
the moon and birthing.
The respected member further stated, "There is no question Kamadevan achen is
unacceptible."
So is `Kallu devan achen' acceptable? Should we name our next bishop `Unmada
devan thirumeni'? After all Dionysus was the Greek god of the grape harvest,
winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy. Dionysius surely will give
Kamadevan a run for his money.

Is there something lacking in our home grown Hindu gods that they are taboo? Why
is only the Greek/Roman gods that are kosher?
It's time to acknowledge that Christian names shouldn't only comprise of
Judaeo-Hellenic names. Names originating from any culture in the world can be
used by Christians.

Saul after his transformation used a Roman name for his missionary work. The
church was no longer exclusively Judean. It was thrown open to all gentiles
coming from different culture. Many of our Church fathers didn't feel the need
to change their name after converting to Christianity. They continued to use
names having origins in their culture. A culture what we derogatorily call
"pagan". Among our brethren in the Syriac Orthodox Church Arabic names are
commonly used; whether the person is an ecclesiastic or not. They didn't discard
their old culture in favour of their new faith. After all culture is part of
one's identity. Our early church fathers have realized this and have tried to
accommodate facets of various cultures into the once Judean religion. We can see
this happening here too. For instance, the use of `minnu' or `thaali' have been
adapted in our marriage ceremony quite successfully. There are countless other
practices that have been assimilated by the Church illustrating its cosmopolitan
nature. So I don't think "we have changed our traditions and faith without
realizing it" by opting for a name having an origin in our native culture

Before I conclude I would like to congratulate the deacon, whose name prompted
this discussion, on his marriage. `Ratheesh' also means `lord of love' in
addition to `lord of sex'. The former can be universally applied but better
restrict the latter to your wife: P  And in any case the meaning of names
doesn't necessarily reflect one's character. After all Lucifer's was a beautiful
name with quite a nice meaning to it and look how he ended up. So, if you ever
become a priest, just make sure you love all your flock. Without any partiality
I might add ;)

I would like to end by quoting Stanley Samartha, `I am,' he said, `a Christian
by faith, Hindu by culture, Indian by citizenship and ecumenical in the deepest
and widest sense of the term.'

Zach George Arapura
Member# 3083

21 Dec'12
  FLASH NEWS: (Latest Photo)

Jacobite faithful entered inside Kanniattunirappu St Johns Jacobite Orthodox
Church took full control of the church in retaliation of Moovattupuzha
Athanasius and his goonda's illegal occupation of Kurinji St. Peter's & St.
Paul's Jacobite Syrian Church. All are requested to proceed to Kanniattunirappu.

Earlier, in a fresh bid to create more troubles, Moovattupuzha Athanasius has
just now broke the doors and windows entered the Kurinji St. Peter's & St.
Paul's Jacobite Syrian Church, with the help of numerous armed goondas . This
happened when there was no one there this night. is it with the silent
permission or advice from the government authority????

For more news update, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/SOCMNet

READ: Revelation 21:1-7

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor
sorrow, nor crying. —Revelation 21:4

A very severe and tragic event in US history was the forced relocation of
thousands of Native Americans in the early 19th century. Native
American tribes, who had struck treaties with and fought alongside the
burgeoning white population, were driven out of their ancestral lands.
In the winter of 1838, thousands of Cherokee were forced to embark on a
brutal 1,000-mile march westward known as The Trail of Tears. This
injustice resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, many of whom
had little or no clothing, shoes, or supplies for such a journey.
The world continues to be filled with injustice, pain, and heartache. And
many today may feel as if they are leaving a trail of tears—tears that
go unnoticed and grief that is not comforted. But our Lord sees our
tears and comforts our weary hearts (2 Cor. 1:3-5). He also declares the hope of
a future time not marked by the stains of sin or injustice. In
that day and in that place, “God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall
be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
The God who offers freedom from tears in the future is the only One who can
fully comfort our tears now. —Bill Crowder
Loving Father, thank You that our hurts
and pains matter to You. Thank You for the
promise of an eternity without tears and a
life forever with You. Amen.
When God permits trials, He also provides comfort.

Since last one week the church feud has taken a turn for the worse. The Metran
kakshis have gone into top gear. Moovattupuzha Athanasios is in the forefront
and leading the charge. May God never forgive him.. Because that much is the
pain he has caused us. The pain is manifold because he was a part of us.. a part
of our flesh and blood .. someone who was chosen by a living saint to lead the
Church in the next century.. But ! So was Lucifer... Let his conscience always
prick at him and remind him that the curse of thousands of simple church going
faithful is on him... May he never sleep in peace.. It is with profound grief
and pain that I am writing this about this erstwhile shining star of the
Jacobite Syrian Church.

As much as I think, my suspicions are only getting stronger that what is
happening since the last one week are not isolated incidents.. I strongly feel
there is a well thought out strategy working behind it.. Let me just mention
what my suspicions are about the real Metran Kakshi intentions..

1. The annual Gospel convention at Puthencruz is scheduled to be held from 26th
Dec to 31st Dec. We have been seeing that since the last few years, the
participation has only increased every year. Incidentally, this is year M Y
Yohannan and his Christian Revival Fellowship is also conducting a convention on
the same dates and their convention venue is also next door (seem to be part of
the well thought out strategy). The metran kakshi strategy seem to be to keep H
B Bava & other Metropolitans of the church occupied with law & order problems in
few churches and thus sabotage our Convention at Puthecruz. M Y Yohannan's
convention will become a hit (while Jacobite convention becomes marred with
problems in churches, police action, arrests, etc)... M Y Yohannan's acceptance
among local people will increase, more Jacobites will join his groups and thus
our church can be made brittle from within.

2. The Jubilee perunnal at MUlanthuruthy cathedral church is being held on these
days and H B Bava is the chief celebrant. By creating law & order situation in a
church and causing Bava to take up a hunger strike, they will succeed in
stopping Bava from leading the Perunnal celebrations at Mulanthuruthy.

3. The dukhrono of St. Athanasius at Thrikunnathu Seminary is approaching (Jan
25th). By creating law & order situations in more churches, and taking it to a
violent level, Metran kakshis seem to be planning & hoping to pressurize the the
government ( Oommen Chandy is bending his back to their every unlawful demand
anyways) to not open the "Kabar Muri" this year and thus stop Jacobites from
offering prayers at the sacred tomb of their saintly father.

4. To take the church feud to more churches (as I am writing this now, I hear
that their Metran is planning to enter Vadavukode Jacobite church tommorrow and
already announcement has been made). By testing our patience, they will succeed
in provoking us. They know we are emotional and when pushed, we always react
emotionally. They know this and they want this. Once they do this, Oommen
Chandy's police and the media controlled by them will finish the job neatly for
them. Faithful asking for lawful demands will be lathi charged, arrests will be
made on false charges and the media will go on a propaganda war painting
Jacobites as the villains.

So ? Should we fall into their trap ?

Or shall we take the fight to their camp ?

They have not known the pain of losing one's churches.. They have not known the
pain of getting one's places of worship being closed down forcefully.. They have
not known the pain of seeing their own lathi charged by police just because they
made lawful demands.. They have not known the pain of seeing their loved one's
arrested on false charges.... They have not known the pain of seeing their
revered priests mocked at and forced to offer mock masses (Qurbana) in police
camps... They have not know the pain of being persecuted just for the sake of
it..

Is it time to make them known this and make them understand the pain ?

Mathew George
ID 4555

READ: Job 38:4-18

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have
understanding. —Job 38:4

Willard S. Boyle, Nobel Prize winner in physics, was the co-inventor of the
“electronic eye” behind the digital camera and the Hubble telescope. He
was in the market for a new digital camera and visited a store in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. The salesman tried to explain the complexity of
the camera to Boyle, but stopped because he felt it was too complicated
for him to understand. Boyle then bluntly said to the salesman: “No need to
explain. I invented it.”
After God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his family, his health,
and his possessions (Job 1–2), Job lamented the day of his birth (ch.
3). In the following chapters, Job questioned why God would allow him to endure
so much suffering. Then with divine bluntness, God reminded Job
that He “invented” life and created the world (chs. 38–41). God invited
him to rethink what he had said. In drawing attention to His sovereign
power and the depth of His wisdom displayed everywhere on earth
(38:4-41), God exposed the immensity of Job’s ignorance.
If we’re tempted to tell God how life should work, let’s remember He
invented it! May He help us to humbly acknowledge our ignorance and to
rely on Him—the Creator of the universe. —Marvin Williams
Lord, You are so awesome and great. But sometimes in
ignorance and arrogance I attempt to take Your place.
I humbly submit my life to You anew and acknowledge
that all glory and praise belongs to You. Amen.
To understand God is impossible, but to worship Him is imperative.

The Malankara World Journal Issue 115 Christmas Special (Dec 23, 2012)
is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_115.htm

*Table of Contents Issue No: 115 Christmas Special*

1. A Different Perspective on Christmas
2. Bible Readings for Christmas (Dec 25)
3. Sermons for Christmas (Dec 25)
4. Inspiration for Today
5. Featured: Christmas Message From the Holy Father
6. Nativity Story's Significance Continues to Unfold Today - Pope
Benedict XVI
7. The Day God Became a Baby
8. Jesus Came to Destroy Something
9. As Promised!
10. For The Man Who Hated Christmas
11. American Christmas
12. Immanuel Arrives in Bleak Midwinter into a World of Suffering
13. The Real Reason for Christmas
14. Classic Christmas Hymn: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come
15. The Real Christmas Carol
16. Biblical Stargazing
17. Malankara World Advent and Christmas Supplements
18. Family Special: Moments for Mom - Make Christmas Meaningful
19. Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
20. Humor: A Christmas Cookie Recipe in the Style of the Revised Translation
21. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_115.htm

Thank you for your support and help.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

Police lathicharge reported at St Johns Jacobite Syrian Church, Njarakkad.

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READ: 2 Peter 3:1-13

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought
you to be in holy conduct and godliness? —2 Peter 3:11

People’s attitudes toward Bible prophecy vary widely. Some believers are so
preoccupied with it that they are constantly talking about the latest
world events, thinking they are biblical signs that Christ could return
at any moment. Others are so casual in their view of prophecy that it
seems as if they don’t believe it’s relevant to the Christian life at
all.
So is prophecy important? Here are some facts to help put things in
perspective. There are 31,124 verses in the Bible. Of these verses,
8,352 have prophetic content of some kind. That’s 27 percent of
Scripture!
Because prophecy occupies more than a quarter of Scripture, the believer should
deeply value its role in God’s revelation. But in doing so, we should
remember why God put it there. After describing how the world will end,
Peter concludes, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what
kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives”
(2 Peter 3:11 niv). In other words, we should make choices daily for godly
living that conform to our future dwelling place.
God has given us information about the future to glorify Himself, to assure us
of His sovereign control of history, and to challenge us to godly
living. —Dennis Fisher
He is coming! I shall know Him,
Jesus! My beloved Lord!
Changed forever to His likeness;
Oh! what joy this will afford. —Dimmock
Look for Christ’s return and you’ll live for Christ’s glory.

Dear All,

My Christmas Message and Press Release is attached

Prayers,

Thirumeni

If you are like me, you also probably have wondered what is meant by "Nallorma"
or "good remembrance".  In the hymns that we sing before the Holy Qurbana we
sing:

Karthave! nin raktha sareerangal - kaikkondu.
Bhaktharathaayi marichorkarulaname-nallorma.

Translated to English this means:

Lord! Grant good remembrance to all the faithful departed,
Who took Thy holy body and Thy holy blood.

I have always wondered why we are praying that Lord grant "good rememberance"
(nallorma) to the departed.

We can best approach the meaning of this song through following the connection
to the crucifixion of Christ. "What did the wise thief on the right side ask for
on the cross?" As we read in St. Luke's Gospel, the thief asked: "Lord, remember
me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom"

And in answer, in satisfaction of his wish, his wish to be remembered, the Lord
witnesses: "Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

In other words, "to be remembered" by the Lord is the same thing as "to be in
Paradise." "To be in Paradise" is to be in eternal memory and, consequently, to
have eternal existence and therefore an eternal memory of God.

Without remembrance of God we die, but our remembrance of God is possible only
through God's remembrance of us.

I stumbled upon this answer while reading a snippet from a late Russian Orthodox
priest Fr Pavel Florensky, and wanted to share it.

Mathew G M
0929

The Christmas service at St. Peter's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church will be
conducted on Monday, 24th December, starting at 6 pm.  The Patriarchal Vicar for
Bahrain His Eminence Pathros Mor Osthatheos has been arrived for leading the
service.  The Bishop will be celebrating Holy Qurbono at St. Peter's Church for
the next two weeks and will be attending the Kerala Christian Ecumenical
Council's (K.C.E.C) Christmas and New year Celebration on 1st January 2013.

As a start of Christmas celebrations at St. Peter's Church, Christmas Tree, Star
and cake making competitions were held at the Church.  The members participated
in the competitions as six area groups.

Apostolic Christmas Message from Holy Father Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas

Christmas Greetings from His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Basalious Thomas I

Watch India vision TV channel on Christmas day at 4:30 PM. Interview with
Catholicos Aboon Mor Basalious Thomas I (Manasu Thurannu Sreshta Bava)

Dear All,

Metropolitan of Simhasana Churches & Institutions and Assistant of Manjanikkara
Dayaro, Mor Athanasius Geevarghese was the chief celebrant for the Christmas
Programmes at St. James Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Doha, Qatar. I express
my deep gratitude to His Eminence for H.E's greatness and cooperation. Many
thanks to my media & press friends in Doha for their excellent support, as
always!
Merry Christmas!!

Prayers,
Thirumeni

READ: Isaiah 2:1-4

They shall beat their swords into plowshares . . . ; neither shall they learn
war anymore. —Isaiah 2:4

In his book Christmas 1945,  Matthew Litt tells about the first peacetime
Christmas celebration in the US after World War II. The New York Daily News
alerted readers to expect a fleet of warships in New York Harbor:
“Christmas Day will find a mighty armada, consisting of 4 battleships, 6
carriers, 7 cruisers, and 24 destroyers.” But instead of waging war,
the military ships hosted 1,000 needy children.
The children’s measurements had been taken previously so that perfectly
fitted navy-blue coats and woolen caps would be gift-wrapped and
awaiting them aboard the ships. These vessels of war had been
transformed into carriers of compassion.
The prophet Isaiah predicted a future day of Christ’s reign of peace on
this earth: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (2:4). Christmastime
serves as a reminder that the Prince of Peace will ultimately bring a
time of global calm and compassion.
As we celebrate the first coming of the Prince of Peace and wait for His
second coming, we are reminded of our privilege to serve as His
“carriers of compassion.” —Dennis Fisher
Lord, You have come and brought peace, and I long to
share Your compassion everywhere I go.
Thank You that this world will know ultimate peace
when You return. Amen.
True peace comes from the Prince of Peace.

Christmas & New Year - Praying for the Nation
 
“Christmas!!! We share in the joy of men and of angels. The joy of salvation.
There is no one but Jesus Christ who assures eternal life for the sinner as soon
as He believes. This is the good news of the Gospel. Other religions teach
salvation by good works, but one is never sure. You may ask a Hindu or a Muslim
or a Buddhist: “we cannot be sure,” will be the answer. The Christian says:
“I have eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ.” The angel said at Christ’s
birth: ”…behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all
people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord,” Luke 2:10-11.
 
How may we think concerning America in 2013? People fear for the safety of their
children in their neighborhoods and schools. More families are falling apart
leaving children suffering. More men and women are living together without
marriage. The gay and lesbian culture is spreading. Abortion takes the lives of
millions of unborn – who grieves for them? O God have mercy on America. What
does the future hold for our children, Lord? Is there not an urgency for prayer?
 
How may we think concerning the world in 2013? There is much persecution of
Christians in many countries, especially in Islamic nations. The number of
Christians in the Middle East (excepting Israel) is dwindling because of
persecution over the years – there no sign of this trend reversing. We hear of
wars, conflicts, terrorism, and many natural disasters. The population of
Christian and other non-Islamic countries is shrinking while Muslim population
explodes. Many regions of the world are still waiting for the light of the
Gospel. May our hearts feel for those who suffer and those who are lost.
 
Are we not living in perilous times? God’s people are to watch and pray. Bible
prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ and the end of the age are
being fulfilled in our time. Daniel prayed alone when he thought of the future
of his people – see chapters 9 & 10. Is there not an urgency for prayer now?
 
Scriptures for Faith for Praying for America (or, your nation)
 
Ezek: 22:30-31: “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and
stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it;
but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have
consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on
their own heads,” says the Lord God.” Let us say, Lord, we are willing to
stand in the gap! Give us  grace, Lord.”
 
 
Thankful for your prayers
Brother Shibu Luke Podiyan
Washington D.C

Dear all respected members

May this Christmas season and the coming of the New Year represent a newness of
hope and promise as seen in the morning sun rise of each new day.

We pray the Almighty bless you and your family and give eternal rest and peace
to your departed love ones.

Wish you all a Blessed and Merry Christmas

In Our Lord's Love
SOCM Moderators

READ: Psalm 40:1-10

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt
offering and sin offering You did not require. —Psalm 40:6

Recently I was having trouble with my ears and decided to try a somewhat
controversial treatment. It was supposed to melt the wax in my ears and
clear out any impediments that might get in the way of the ability to
hear. I have to admit that it sounded like a strange experience. But I
was desperate to be able to hear clearly, so I was willing to give it a
try.
As important as good hearing is in life, it is even more important in our
walk with God. In Psalm 40:6, David declared, “Sacrifice and offering
You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin
offering You did not require.” The word opened in this verse
can be translated “cleared out,” and it speaks of what God desires for
us. He wants our ears to be open and ready to hear Him as He speaks to
us through His Word. Sometimes, however, our spiritual ears may be
blocked by the background noise of the surrounding culture or the siren
songs of temptation and sin.
May we instead turn our hearts to the Lord in full devotion, keeping our
ears open to Him so that we will be sensitive to His voice. As He
speaks, He will put His Word in our hearts, and we will learn from Him
to delight in His will (v.8). —Bill Crowder
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear. —Scott
God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart.

ARE WE  EVIL?
 
Friday we found that a 20 years old
Adam Lanza killed 20 1st graders in Newtown, CT.  He shot the little ones
multiple times
looking at there angelic faces.  Psychologists would argue for centuries that
it was a slip or a flip.  Sociology and Psychology class rooms would
dissect it in their own ways.  Criminal
attorneys would say that it was a weak day and moment in Adam’s life.
Psychiatrists would diagnose it to just lithium ion imbalance; causing
miss-firings
in the neuron synopses. 
 In Malayalam news we find that both parents of
an under-age little girl was offering their child to pleasure seekers and the
elite men of our land who have there own daughters were buying pleasure.  Still
we may call it continuous flipping and
slipping.
            We
read that many a husbands are killed by the desire of their adulterous
wives.  We still blame it on mobile
phones.
Who is the villain?  Who is wrong?
Two millenniums before Sigmund
Freud, Jesus Christ said it.  Apostle
Mathew quoted Jesus in Matthew 15:19;“For out of the heart
proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
witness, blasphemies: these are what make a man 'unclean”.  He said evil is
real.  It is not the absence of goodness.  Human heart is the source of evil.
Our original self is the self that
run a red light and be happy that we did not get caught.  When we are driving
alongside a police
trooper in the highway, we are very law-abiding.  Is that our real self?
When we did the genocides of the
world, was it a slip or flip.  Were we
slipping when the church supported the third Reich? Was humanity flipping along
with Stalin?  
Evil is real and fundamental to
human heart.  Enlightenment is when light
enters the dark unfathomed chambers of human heart.  Apostle Paul said it
“the people who walked
in the darkness saw a great light”
To this inner dark chamber of Susan
Smith; the mother who buckled up her two little kids in to the car-seats and
drove them to the waters of the New Hampshire lake; who would cry aloud in
front of the television cameras pleading for her children’s return; And to the
bereaved family of the victims of Newtown as well as the surviving family of
Adam Lanza;  And the victims and
survivors of the holocaust, the Stalinic regime and the so called
“collaterals”
of Napalm bombings comes the feeble but assuring voice of the resurrected Jesus
“Peace be with you”
The Jesus of Nazareth, who was born
in the wilderness of Bethlehem with no specific location; who could not get
accepted anywhere and was placed in a manger as a destitute as He is the
Daridra-Narayana.  He had to be carried
away to Egypt for he had mighty enemies like the king.  He walked with the
lowest of the lows; smelly
fishermen and former prostitutes.  He
never traveled more than a radius of fifty miles.  He never wrote any books. 
He got the most heinous of all deaths.  He was proclaimed free of guilt by the
judge
Pilate and the fellow crucified.  He
never blamed anyone.  He never pleaded to
prove his innocence.  The buried Jesus
went further down from where he was placed; right in to the abyss declaring
freedom to the enslaved.  The resurrected
Jesus did not go to the killers to prove something.  He went again to the
lowest of the lows;
proclaiming peace; giving them a new commandment “Love one another”.  But
if you want to love, you have to let
Jesus in.
We are fundamentally filthy and
dark.  “chonnessuu sishya genathodai
sathya prakasham ngan thanne”.  Do you
think you can still do it alone?  Adam
Lanza also thought the same.
Dn. Monsy Jacob

Last week there was a discussion regarding "Perunal Srusrusha Kremam". Someone
was telling its translated by IOC and why are we using the same? But let me ask
something else.�

How many of the Altar Boys / Rev. Dn's know the tunes of those Songs?

Yesterday for Christmas Srusrusha i went to a chapel (Pampady) and there were
couple of Altar boys and a Dn. who are serving in Holy Altar for more than 10+
years. But none know any of the songs. I remember once I asked one of our Priest
in our church before a month of Christmas to assemble Altar boys after Holy
Qurbana and practice the songs. He told there is no need for the same and
somehow we will manage.�

Our church tradition says our Prayer comprised of different sections.�

1. Kauma (Prayer)
2. Songs
3. Reading
4. Sermon
5. Holy Qurbana


We should have Kooryo's who read and sing beautifully. Priest should deliver
Sermon on �daily readings at church.�
These days we discuss a lot about Church and Tradition but we never put them
into practice.�

Any suggestions on improving the same?�
�
+Vineeth John Abraham
4187

"teshbuhto" - Malankara Vision will be Live Telecasting the Twenty third All
Malankara Gospel Convention from Puthencruz everyday 06:00 PM Onwards.

URL http://malankaravision.com/

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READ: Mark 10:46-52

What do you want Me to do for you? —Mark 10:51

On the day before a major surgery, I shared with my friend that I was
really scared about the procedure. “What part scares you?” she inquired.
“I’m just so afraid that I won’t wake up from the anesthesia,” I
replied. Immediately, Anne prayed: “Father, you know all about Cindy’s
fear. Please calm her heart and fill her with Your peace. And, Lord,
please wake her up after surgery.”
I think God likes that kind of specificity when we talk to Him. When
Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, called out to Jesus for help, Jesus said,
“What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said, “Rabboni,
that I may receive my sight!” Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has
made you well” (Mark 10:51-52).
We don’t need to beat around the bush with God. While there may be a time
to pray poetically as David did, there are also times to say bluntly,
“God, I’m so sorry for what I just said,” or to say simply, “Jesus, I
love You because . . . .” Being specific with God can even be a sign of
faith because we are acknowledging that we know we’re not talking to a
far-off Being but to a real Person who loves us intimately.
God is not impressed by a flurry of fanciful words. He is listening for what our
heart is saying. —Cindy Hess Kasper
Poetic prose in prayer to God
Is not what He requires;
Instead, specific heartfelt pleas
Are what the Lord desires. —Sper
The heart of prayer is prayer from the heart.

Dear Vineeth,

I have a humble suggestion on improving this.

First of all in our Syriac Orthodox Worship hymns we are only allowed to chant
and not use any kind of musical instruments. But is that what is happening now a
days; we have very loud beats blasting out from an electronic key board.
Sometimes when you hear the beats you are not sure if the song is going to be
the latest Bollywood or Malluwood song. The unfortunate thing is that this
happens in divine liturgies where even our Bishops and Catholicose is the chief
celebrant and they dont say a word. I wonder; is it because they don't care or
is it because they don't have the courage to admonish.

Second, at the initiative of the MSOT Seminary at Udayagiri or some other Dyara
all the liturgical hymns should be recorded in its true tones; without any beats
or musical insturments. These hymns should then be made available on the web for
anyone to download and use freely. The church should even consider starting a
formal Youtube channel and upload these hymns sung in the proper tune without
any musical instruments to that formal channel.  Then these hymns online will be
a good reference material for altar boys, deacons, choir leaders and lay men.

These are just my thoughts..

Mathew G M
0929

Dear Moderators,

  Can you please tell me the name and location of our church in Denmark. ??

Rev. Fr. Eldho is the Vicar there. Can I have his mobile number and Email ID
also . ??

Please help me.

Dawn Baby Varghese
Puthencruz

The Malankara World Journal Issue 116 - Theme: Evangelization (Dec 27,
2012) is available online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_116.htm


*Table of Contents Issue No: 116 - Theme: Evangelization*


1. Editor's Note: Evangelization - The Forgotten Commandment
2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (Dec 30)
3. Sermons for This Sunday (Dec 30)
4. Featured: We Are Called to Win the World for Christ
5. Pope Benedict XVI: 'Being Tepid is the Greatest Danger for Christians'
6. Clergy and the New Evangelization: First Preach by the Way You Live
7. Your Past, Present, and Future
8. Discipleship Versus Evangelism
9. Telling Others the Gospel, Even When It's Difficult
10. The Church Without Evangelism Is The Salt Without Flavor
11. Inspired by the Incredible Early Church
12. Witness - A Real Story
13. How To Get Your Voice Heard in The Public Square
14. Recipe: Avocado Salad
15. Family Special: Dealing with Difficult Relationships During Holiday Season
16. Humor: Definitions....
17. About Malankara World

========================

Read all the articles and features in this week's Malankara World
Journal online at:

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_116.htm

Thank you.  Happy New Year.

In HIS Service

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/
Hudson, Ohio
ID No: 956

Dear all:
Christmas is a reminder that Jesus Christ came to this world to take away sins
from our lives. Because of His sacrifice, we are free from sin and we can have
peace, joy, and love in our lives. That is why it is truly a Merry Christmas for
those who love Christ.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2013.

Shibu Luke Podiyan
Washington D,C