During my visit to India this summer, I observed a quiet change that's happening
in our church.  As most of you already know, our Bava sent a Kalpana to all the
churches in India making it clear that no Jacobite should be attending
evangelical meetings.  Unfortunately, many of our people are pulled into the
evangelical movement.  In fact, the mostly Jacobite area of Puthencruz even
build a small Pentecostal church close to our Patriarchal  Center.  The style of
these evangelical pastors have attracted people from all castes.  But for us,
many of our members have attended these meetings and eventually make the jump.

I noticed that most of these individuals are wives,
apachen/amache(grandfather/grandmother), jobless men, etc. who have a lot of
extra time.  They use this time to attend the meetings.  After hearing the great
message, they have the desire to go back.  Eventually this becomes habitual and
they join the group/church.

Our Bava foresaw the danger of this movement and therefore took action by
sending the Kalpana.  He also mentioned in the same Kalpana that our church
would be offering prayer meetings every Friday at Malecruz Dayra.  I liked this
because instead of just saying don't go, he offers a substitute approved and
conducted by our church.

I had a chance to attend this meeting.  It starts off with many devotional songs
sung by trained vocalists.  And in-between, there are public prayers.  Then the
achen speaks on a certain topic.  During his speech, he conducts an intense
public prayer where the people have their heads bowed down and seem to worship
God at a higher level.  To my astonishment, many of the faithful (especially the
women), were crying out loud!  The church was filled with intense emotions. 
They seemed to have gained an uplifting experience.

I also attended a meeting next to the temporary outdoor hall near our
Patriarchal Center.  This meeting was of the same manner.  As the
speaker spoke, he interjects with "Hallelujah!", "Praise the Lord!". His stories
are personal and testimonial.  At times, he speaks positively of our church and
the tireless efforts of our leaders. Essentially, these meetings are conducted
in a very similar manner to those offered by the Evangelicals/Pentecostals.  We
have adopted a
part of their style.

Is this a positive step?  Is it necessary?  Should we have adopted their
techniques?  How would you react to this movement?

I would like to hear your opinions on this.

Thank you,
George Aramath
St. Ignatius, Dallas
St. Vladimir's Theological School
# 0892

The good servant(4) receives the bread of his labor with confidence; the lazy
and slothful cannot look his employer in the face.
First Epistle Of Clement To The Corinthians, Chap. XXXIV
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Never delay in undertaking any work you have to do, for the first brief delay
will lead to a second, more prolonged one, and the second to a third, still
longer, and so on. Thus work begins too late and is not done in its proper time,
or else is abandoned altogether, as something too burdensome.
Lorenzo Scupoli (Unseen Warfare: Chapter 20)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

On 2nd October 2005, the Syrian Church observes the 320th Dukhrono of Maphryono
St. Baselios Yeldho who is entombed at the Kothamangalm Marthoma Cheria pally.

The holy father was born at Karakosh near Mosul in Iraq where Marthsmooni and
her 7 children suffered Martyrdom. He became a monk in Mor Bahnan monastery in
Mosul. The saint came to India via Basra to Surat, after consecration as
Maphrian (Catholicos / Maphriyono) by the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Abdul Messiah
I, arriving at Thalassery in North Kerala, then by hill route to Kothamangalam
in AD 1685 at the request of Marthoma II of Malankara Church. He reached
Kothamangalam Cheriapalli along with Mor Ivanios, guided by a Hindu gentleman
whose descendants guide the procession of the festival held in his memory every
year. The saintly father expired in the Malaylam month of Kanni 19 and was
entombed in the sanctuary of MarThoma CheriaPally, Kothamangalam. In 1987 his
name was included in the 5th Tubden (Holy diptych) as per the Patriarchal bull.

Biography of the Holy father
http://www.syriacchristianity.org/bio/MorBaseliosYeldho.htm
http://www.MorYeldho.cjb.net/

John Philip K
St. Joseph’s Cathedral,
Kottayam.
Member ID # 0898

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Mark 2: 23-28.

Dear and Respected Brethren,

We all are very familiar with the context of today’s reading. Our Lord and
His blessed Apostles were going through corn fields and suddenly the
Apostles started plucking the ears of the corn, as mentioned in verse 23 of
the reading.  Suddenly the Pharisees said unto our Lord “Behold, why do they
on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Here our Lord is trying to make the Pharisees and the similar minded
understand that what the disciples did was lawful. In Deuteronomy 23:25 we
read, “when you come into the corn field of your neighbor, you may pluck the
ears with your hand, but you should not move a sickle unto thy neighbor’s
corn.”  Though our Lord did not mention about this reference, he asks them
another question. But our Lord was confident that each and every Jew must be
aware of this teaching in the Holy Scriptures. By giving a clear hint to the
incident that is explained in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, our Lord asks what King David
did when he and his companions were hungry. The Jews were so particular in
preserving the consecrated bread on the Altar of God, as per the command of
Lord God (Exodus 25:30). When the old ones were replaced with the new and
fresh stock, the priests in purity were allowed to consume the old one. We
read in Exodus 29:32-33 and Leviticus 24:9 about the ones who are permitted
to consume the consecrated bread, where they could have it and how they
could have it etc. These Biblical portions strictly exhort that no one other
than the priests should eat the consecrated bread. The priest Abimelek as
well as King David were well aware of the teaching about the consecrated
bread. When the Pharisees heard about the deed of the Priest and King David,
none of them was brave enough to say a word against King David or to declare
that King David was wrong. If we were in their place, what would have been
our response? Let us think for a while. If we were there, we would have
accused the priest, the King and even Lord God. Let us think whether our
minds with pride would agree to accept the mistakes, if some one or the
other might show us. If so how wicked and cruel are we than the Jews who
shouted to crucify our Lord? The Jews as a whole went aloof from the scene
silently soon, without answering the question of our Lord or even reacting
to our Lord. Let us think how we are behaving when our suggestions or
statements during the Church committee meetings and General Body meetings
are not considered as we wish.

When the Pharisees questioned our Lord, it was revealed and confirmed that
our Lord is the Lord of Sabbath also. We read the same sort of explanation
in St. Matthew 12:1-8. St. Matthew and St. Mark are asking our
consciousness: “The Jews could not accept our Lord as Son of God, but still
they gave silent approval for the truth that our Lord is Lord of Sabbath
too. And what about you”? Are we not behaving as if we don’t need God’s help
or God’s presence in many of our activities? Are we not thinking what is the
significance of God’s interference in many of our activities?
When there is some special event in our homes, we like to have the presence
of Bishops and priests. And at the same time we long for their early
departure from our midst, so as to start some other activities. Are we not?
This type of thinking is taking deep roots not only in our private lives but
in the Church lives too. Let us think and find out the reason for such an
evil thinking. Let us try to correct ourselves. Make us worthy to admit and
confess that our Lord God is Lord of everything in our lives. We should not
forget the truth that everything in this world is under the control and
power of Lord Jesus Christ, as we read in Ephesians 1:22 and I Peter 3:22.

Let the Holy Spirit strengthen us to take a firm stand that we do not need
anything in which our God as well as His representatives on earth, (Bishops
and Priests) could not participate. May God bless us all.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.
Member ID # 0905

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BosNewsLife)–- Violent Hindu villagers and a local court
are pressuring Christian families in a village of India's Maharashtra state
to renounce their faith in Christ, in a case that has underscored concern
among churches and advocacy groups over anti-Christian incidents in rural
India, news reports said Friday, September 30

Pastor Sarichand Chauhan, area coordinator of the Indian Evangelical Team
(IET), told Compass Direct news agency that the chief of the village of
Jamanya asked all believers to come for a "conflict resolution" meeting
earlier this week, shortly after a Christian yougman was allegedly beaten
and abducted by radical Hindus.

However he said it became clear during the village court meeting that local
leaders threatened to beat the Christian families if they refuse to renounce
their faith in a repeat of the May violence here, which made international
headlines.

"Initially, the believers were asked to renounce their faith in
Christianity," Chauhan reportedly added. "But when they strongly refused to
do so, the leaders of the village asked them at least not to allow any
Christian from outside to enter their village."

After Christians refused and said they needed Christian teachers to come and
teach them about their Scripture, leaders allegedly exploded in anger.
[They] "left the meeting, saying that if Christians from outside the village
were beaten up, they [the leaders] would not be responsible,” the pastor
said.

STRONGMAN

The meeting was allegedly led by a local strongman known only as Mangilal,
of Talalvi village in the Malkhera area. Also presiding over the meeting was
the sub-head of Jamanya, Pratap Deeta Barela, and officials from nearby
villages.

It came after 25-year old Neta Gyansingh from a neighboring village told
Compass Direct he was attacked by Hindu villagers September 23 when traveled
to Jamanya village to visit a believer’s family. "They handcuffed me for
five minutes and then made me sit on a cot. Later, they punched me in my
face, chest and back, and hit me with sticks on my hands before locking me
up in the room."

He was quoted as saying that the following day, nearly 24 hours later, a
"Hindu extremist" and another resident came and took him to his village,
Sirval where they warned him in front of the village chief that he "should
never visit Jamanya again or they would chop off" his "hands and legs."

ATTACKS

The young man was one of several Christians attacked in recent days and
months. A day before the September 23 incident, the house of another local
Christian, identified as Saimal Mohan Singh Barela, was allegedly attacked
by three men by Hindu militants.

Pastor Chauhan reportedly said that "three men armed with sharp weapons came
to the house of Barela to attack him, but, fortunately, Barela had fled away
with his family as he had learned about the intended attack."

The three men, however, managed to broke the lock, entered the house, and
ransacked Barela’s kitchen and destroyed two stoves made of bricks and soil,
Compass Direct reported. "Barela has not yet returned to his house and is
living in his relative’s house with his wife and children for fear of his
life," Chauhan was quoted as saying.

POLICE

Police was due to arrive in the area to investigate the situation in the
troubled village where radical Hindu villagers reportedly attacked 11
Christian families, sexually molesting the women, on May 16 when they
refused to give up their faith. These families were later ostracized by
their fellow Hindu villagers, Compass Direct reported.

Several human rights groups and churches have expressed concern about
attacks of Hindu militants who have accused missionaries of misusing poverty
of Hindus to forcibly convert" them to Christianity. The churches have
strongly denied these charges, saying Christianity is based on a free choice
and a personal decision for Jesus Christ.

"Preserve, then, my sons, that friedship ye have begun with your brethren, for
nothing in the world is more beautiful than that. It is indeed a comfort in this
life to have one to whom thou canst open thy heart, with whom thou canst share
confidences, and to whom thou canst entrust the secrets of thy heart. It is a
comfort to have a trusty man by thy side, who will rejoice with thee in
prosperity, sympathize in troubles, encourage in persecution. What good friends
those Hebrew children were whom the flames of the fiery furnace did not separate
from their love of each other!"

St. Ambrose of Milan.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my
deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." Psalms 70:5

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

Please remember the following in your prayers:

The Victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Victims of Hurricane Rita.
The Christian Minority in Noshara, Pakistan.
Fadia - Breast Cancer.
Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage - multiple skull fractures. Merna
is conscious and talking but apparently she  had lost hearing in one ear. She is
doing better overall.
Tara - Systematic Lupus and financial and family problems
George k - Cancer
Frances - Brain Tumor
Delaney - 8 mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe burns and possible limb
amputation.
Peter, Bishoy and Neveen - healing from the loss of both their parents.
Alber - Cancer
K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and spiritual estrangement
E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.
Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the hospital and is doing great
E. Sidhom - Cancer.
Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a kidney transplant.
Bernard - Various drug addiction problems
Joseph - Prostrate Cancer
Mary - Breast cancer
A.K Matthew - Colon Cancer
Enyat - severe diabetes.
Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.
Samy - Bone cancer.
MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection
AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
SE -- Love, Healing
GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance
Helen - severe epileptic seizures.
Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, stroke.
Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a bone marrow donor.
Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.
Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.
Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.
Nicholas - constant back pain.
Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain tumor.
Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation soon.
Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from her kids.
Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.
Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of dementia.
Heidy - Depression and other problems.
Esther - Intestinal problems.
Nick - chemotherapy.
Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.
Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.
Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial difficulties.
Shafika - kidney failure.
Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.
Jean - Neurological back problems.
Therese - Emotional problems.
Reggie - Cancer.
Detra - Stress related health problems.
Walter Sr. - Depression.
Denise I. - Breast Cancer.
Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.
Zouhair - stomach cancer.
Magdy - brain tumor.
John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.
Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and securing a job.
H. Adel - finish the immigration papers and preparation successfully.
E.Tawadros - Strength, Support, Guidance, wisdom and success.
Shareen - Stays out of trouble, gets closer to God, and Leads a pure life.
Madlen - Lost her husband in an accident. She has 2 children.
Mark H - MS
Mamdooh, Nahed, Marina and Cyril - May the will of The Lord be done.
The mission of the Coptic Church in Africa and throughout the world.
The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

This is in response to Mr.George Aramath's write up regarding Jacobites
attending evangelical meetings. i have attended quite a lot of meetings
conducted by the Evangelical Union(E.U)in our college.the meeting usually starts
with a praise and worship session where we sing and people give thanks or read a
verse or pasage from the Bible.this is followed by a message from the speaker. i
personally dont see any harm in attending such meetings.its more like a bible
study where the Word is closely analyzed and thus gives us a better
understanding about the same. i dont think Jacobite youth receive such input in
their churches either through sermons or through Sunday School, at least i
did'nt. thus, they tend to be drawn to such meetings where things seem to 'make
more sense'  and are better explained.i also feel that they do not go against
the Word in any way.they just hav a different way of worship. Please correct me
if i'm wrong.i speak solely from my limited experience.

Ann George
====================================================================
From the desk of the Moderator:

Please sign your messages with member ID. If not having a member ID, please send
your details including contact number to moderators
(SOCM-FORUM-owner@yahoogroups.com) and obtain a member ID before posting any
more messages in SOCM. Thank you for your cooperation.

WORKING couples are often driven apart by a clash of egos, says a leading family
counsellor. Most divorce casualties are among the educated and in marriages
where both husband and wife are working, says Father Poulose Parekkara.

Marriages in which the couples are less educated and the wife stays at home and
is more submissive fare better, he says.

"The ego clash, coupled with selfishness, forces many couples to separate," says
the preacher. "Many such cases can be saved from divorce through prayer and
counselling."

Father Parekkara is in Bahrain at the invitation of the Thursday Prayer
Fellowship.

He is Vicar of the St George Jacobite Church in Pothanikadu, Sharonkunnu,
Kerala, and a regular speaker on Shalom Television, as well as president of the
Pourasthya Suvisesha Sangham gospel team.

Father Parekkara will address the annual convention of the Thursday Prayer
Fellowship tonight and tomorrow at the National Evangelical Church, and at the
Indian School auditorium on Wednesday and Thursday, all at 7.30pm. All are
welcome.

Free transport has been arranged to the Indian School from Muharraq and Manama.
People who require more details should call K K James on 36001234.

Father Parekkara, who has counselled hundreds of couples in India and the Gulf,
said it was sad to see an increase in divorce rates among working couples.

"When both husband and wife are employed and earn their own livelihood, an ego
clash develops due to a feeling of independence," he said.

"Among the uneducated class, where only the husband works, a feeling of
submission displayed by the wife keeps the marriage intact.

"It is important for the couples to understand, whether employed or not, that
unconditional love is the basis of a successful marriage."

A recent survey among hundreds of couples revealed that 60 per cent pretended
they were happy. "In fact, they are just acting so as to maintain their status
in society," said Father Parekkara.

"I have seen children of many unhappy couples being influenced by bad company
and becoming addicts of alcohol, drugs and similar vices."

Mutual acceptance and expression of love are important for the success of
married life, said Father Parekkara.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=123444&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28197

For Christians above all men are forbidden to correct the stumblings of sinners
by force ... It is necessary to make a man better not by force but by
persuasion. We neither have authority granted us by law to restrain sinners,
nor, if it were, should we know how to use it, since God gives the crown to
those who are kept from evil, not by force, but by choice.
St. John Chrysostom


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Let us also imitate Him, and despair of no one. For the fishermen, too, when
they have cast many times have not succeeded; but afterwards having cast again,
have gained all. So we also expect that ye will all at one show to us ripe
fruit. For the husbandman, too, after he has sown, waits one day or two days,
and is a long while in expectation; and all at once he sees the fruits springing
up on every side.

St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on St. Matthew
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

"`God has chosen the despised in the world.' Often being despised recalls us to
ourselves. The son who left his father and squandered his share of the property
came to himself when he began to be hungry. He said: `How many of my father's
hired servants have bread enough and to spare?' He went far away from himself
when he sinned; he would never have come to himself if he hadn't suffered
hunger.  The loss of all his worldly goods led him to begin to think of the
spiritual goods he had lost. The poor and the feeble, the blind and the lame,
are called, and they come: those who are weak and despised in this world are
often quicker to hear the voice of God, as they have nothing in the world to
delight them."

St. Gregory the Great.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright
in heart shall glory." Psalms 64:10

---------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer Requests:

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Matrimonial Digest / 0076-05

Dear members

We do not take or assume any responsibility for the particulars
given by the advertiser. Concerned parties are encouraged to verify
the particulars. As per the request of some advertisers we withheld
the contact details and will forward any reply to the advertiser for
further personal contact.

Please read the successful stories of the matrimonial advertisement
in the SOCM forum at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/6505
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCM-FORUM/message/4384

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 033/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My son is 29, 5' 4" and thin. He is in working with Kuwait Airways
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and he is a very lovable, humorous & quick-witted person. We are
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He is younger of my two sons. Elder son married &settled with own
business.
I am from an upper middle class farmer family, now with own finance
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His mother a retired Kerala Govt.Servant. Please send proposals to
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 032/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing orthodox girl MBA
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Her father is a business man and mother Rtd Deputy DEMO and two
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The boy should be god fearing,loving,caring,good mannered and
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If interested please contact the girl's father by
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 031/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Proposals are invited for a well educated girl who is 27 years old
,born & brought up in usa. Girl has masters degree .& 5'2" tall.We
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work for sometime. . If you are interested please send your details
about education & family as an email to sepdtma@.... Do not
send it as an attachment.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 030/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Suitable alliance invited for a God-fearing Jacobite boy from Chelad
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Height:180cms or 5ft 11inches Weight:73kgs Family:Moderate. His
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Interested parents may contact paul.live@....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 029/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Proposals invited for a well settled Jacobite boy belonging to an
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fair,God- fearing and with clean habits.

We are looking for a fair, good looking, homely God-fearing girl
from a good Jacobite family.

If interested please contact : email : tioman_78 @yahoo.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 028/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Parents of a Jacobite boy, (30), 5'11", fair, simple, with clean
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Work Analyst working in USA since 2000, hailing from a renowned
Jacobite family of Kothamangalam, seeking a suitable life parter.

An educated, and God fearing girl from middle class family of
Ankamaly diocese preferred.

Father, retd. Head Master, Mother, House wife, Two Elder sisters
(both B.Tech Engineers), married and well settld. He is coming on
vacation during August 2005. Genuine enquires and proposals may
please be sent To email: maracheril@... <maracheril@...>
or may call 0485-2823117, 2824132

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 027/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite parents invite remarriage proposals for their
daughter/white&fair/28/152cm/M.com, DCA. Recordical proof only
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null and void. Please contact by e-mail with details at at
simiraj@...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 026/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite Girl, Working
in UK, as staff nurse she is in25, 5.4?, 59 KG, will be coming by
middle of April. Her father is a retired teacher; an active member
of church, Mother is housewife and one brother, working in Delhi.
The boy should be God fearing, fair, caring, having good manners and
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Interested parents may please contact at basilpaul@...;
basilpaulk@... , 9818730557 04842678110 (K.K Paulose)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 024/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, B.Sc
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His father is a retired Supt. in Court, mother Rtd. State
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elder sister got married. Interested parents may contact
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 023/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Suitable alliance invited for a jacobite Girl, 22 years, 164cm,slim,
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 021/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Looking for a good boy computer professional/engineer from a middle
class family from kerala preferably cochin orthodox/jacobite aged
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interested persons may wish to contact at george_kunju@...
giving the details with code # MP-021/04.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 020/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

JacobiteChristian parents settled in Canada invite proposals for
their daughter, 28 years old, fair, slim 5;5''tall with very high
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 019/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite parents seeking alliance for their beautiful daughter
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Please contact on mcsm53@... giving the details with code
# MP-019/04.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 017/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance is invited for a jacobite deacon,age 31, 5ft 5inch
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of Toronto, canada)teaching in the seminary. family background:
father, senior corepiscopa in the church.mother house wife. one
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# MP-017/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 016/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited for a God fearing Jacobite boy, B.E.
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Known family at Kumarakom, Kottayam.

His father is a retired KSEB Sub Engineer, mother is Govt. UP school
headmistress and got one younger sister, who is married. The girl
should be God fearing, caring, having good manners and preferably
employed (In India or abroad). Interested parties may please contact
the boy's uncle at monthiruvanchoor@... or
moderator_socm@... with code # MP-016/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 014/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Retired PWD Contractor's family (Jacobite, Middle Class, Ernakulam
District)invites suitable proposal from middle class Jacobite
parents of God fearing girls under 28, 5'1', 48 Kg, employed or
qualified to be employed (prefer teachers or lecturers) in or around
Ernakulam Dist. She has to look after home affairs as the brother
and sister of the boy to be working overseas.

Their son (32, 5'3" 55 Kg) is a Vet. surgeon in Kerala Government
Service, posted within few kilometers from home, fair, clean habits,
soft spoken, thin built and God fearing.

His has an elder brother and younger sister, both married.

Genuine enquiries may be posted to varkod@... or
moderator_socm@... with code # MP-014/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 013/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite parents from Ernakulam Dt.invites proposals to her
daughter, who is presently working at Bangalore. Educated and
employed Jacobite youths working at Bangalore are preferred. The
proposals to be made from middle class family. The boy should be God
fearing. The girl is 25 yrs of old, 5.3". She had Completed
B.Sc.maths and have GNIIT, (3 yr computer diploma)course Certificate)
please respond to eldhoshimmy@...> or
moderator_socm@... with code # MP-013/04

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; code # 012/04
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Proposals invited from parents of god fearing BSc nurses for a
handsome Jacobite boy, hailing from Kolencherry, 29/168 Graduate,
only son, working as Marketing Executive for a reputed Co. in
Kuwait, active in church matters and having family visa status. He
has two sisters and both of them are well settled. The girl will
have good job prospects in Kuwait.

Interested please respond to:yeljoseph@... or
moderator_socm@... with code # MP-012/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 011/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Suitable alliance invited from Jacobite parents for a Jacobite girl
24 years/161 cm),fair,smart and God-fearing,B-tech with MBA,working
in a leading firm in Techno-Park,Trivandrum.

Please respond to thomasvt@... or moderator_socm@...
with code # MP-011/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 009/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite Parents from Perumany, 7 km from Perumbavoor (Angamali
Diocese)invites proposals for their son working in Dammam, Saudi
Arabia as Project Co-ordinator. Proposals to be from Middle Class
family. The girl should be God fearing and fair.

Please respond to aliyasissac@... or
moderator_socm@... with code # MP-009/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 006/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacobite Parents from Kottayam Diocese invites proposals for their
second son PDC/30/168 working in MRF kottayam. Father doing business
in Kottayam. Mother Gazzetted officer in govt.One elder brother
married(Working) and younger sister studying. Graduates in any
discipline or diploma holders in Nursing (GNM)prefered.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-006/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 004/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite parents from Ernakulam Dt.invites proposals to their son.
The boy is 30 yrs.old 5' 8". He is very handsome, brilliant(MA Rank
Holder), God fearing Altar Boy), presently working with a leading
news daily at Ernakulam Dt.Proposals to be from Middle Class family.
The girl should be God fearing and fair. Nurses working abroad are
prefered.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-004/04

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Matrimonial; Code # 003/04
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jacobite parents from Kottayam invite proposals for their daughter,
divorcee with one girl child,)39 yrs.5'3", Home Science Graduate,
mediumcomplexion, very Home loving and God fearing, from JACOBITE
Widowers/ Divorcees of 40 to 45 age group, well settled in life in
India or abroad, with clean habits, positive attitude towards life
and home loving.

Please respond to moderator_socm@... with code # MP-003/04

Dear mr. george,

there r several correct observations made by you, that regarding the
strong wind blowing (pentecostal groups) and our people literally
getting blown away from us, ... etc

I will however only respond to your questions put forward.
1.Is this a positive step?
2.Is it necessary?
3.Should we have adopted their techniques?
4.How would you react to this movement?


i would like to say something small b4 answering

-----he interjects with "Hallelujah!", "Praise the Lord!"----
this is 4m ur mail sir
both u and i know very well how many times these praises occuring
within our prescribed prayers...

now coming to the point. I have noticed one thing,even in ur case.
for some unexplicable reason we Jacobites have take an exceptional
response to these words
                 "Hallelujah!", "Praise the Lord!"
we tend to associate these with the the pentecostal guys.
that is a very big mistake. today if i say a hallelujah praise the
lord even from the bootom of my heart, i will get stares from my
brothers in the church who think i am lost sheep.

do u know wat has happened here? i think Satan has used our human
ways of responding to enemies to remove two wonderful and simple
praise words from the jacobite vocabulary. Am i exagerating? i dont
think so sir,
how many jacobites openly say these words?? mayb Kyrie eleison but
not praise the lord...

Is this a positive step?
i believe u know now, in any case i leave u to judge.

2.Is it necessary?

praising GOD was one of the most important works of King David if he
was not fighting wars.......
read from psalms 1-150 there is one common idea
Praise the LORD all nations Praise HIM all u peoples his love for us
is strong and eternal.Praise the LORD.

thus the Psalms should explain if the words Praise the LORD and
Hallelujah are necessary

there is one more reason y it is necessary most today. there is no
doubt our church fathers have somewat failed in fulfilling spiritual
needs of every body ... that is y somebody else is atleast virtually
fulfilling their spiritual needs.....
everybody has attended meetings atleast once. for many the only
scriptural language they understand is the pastors language.

it may b their weakness but our priests WISELY use this language for
these weak people( who might even say he doesnt have holy spirit if
he doesnt say praise the lord...)
and teach the doctrines of our church and the true faith.

if it is the only way to bring the lost sheep
certainly it is necessary.......wat do u think sir???

that is also y

---->Essentially, these meetings are conducted in a very similar
manner to those offered by the Evangelicals/Pentecostals.
We have adopted apart of their style.   <-------------4m ur message.

i leave you to make ur decision abt Q. 2&3
"Is it necessary? Should we have adopted their techniques? "

lastly our reaction to this movement. we should bring abt such an
enviornment wherin we take back from the false preachers wat praises
that were ours. we should not stare at a person who says praise the
LORD. but be happy for him for he is praising the Creator of all.
i have personally begun common usage of both words. at first i used
to get stares, but once they understood my praises were sincere they
too returned praise the LORD.

each one can find his response to the changes undergoin in our church
after aboon BASELIUS THOMAS I has taken over there has been an ever
increasin number of conventions. how we use them is left to us

i say let us take an oppurtunity to introspect our fallings that we
may have. coz we can never anymore remark to GOD
" LORD in my church there was never a convention so i never knew this
or that was SIN"

i think we should support the current jacobite movement( as the
honourable member has named it in whatever way posssible.

honourable members plz forgive any mistakes i have made in my reply.
thank you very much for your time.

I only pray that our syrian orthodox church regain the dizzying
spiritual heights it was in th begining.

Praise the LORD

Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

The Syrian Orthodox Church dedicated the month of September to commemorate and
celebrate the Silver Jubilee (25) of His Holiness Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas,
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian
Orthodox Church. Four main events took place at the Saint Aphrem Syrian Orthodox
Monastery in Ma¹arrat Saydnaya, Damascus, Syria, including the Jubilee Day on
September 14, 2005. The program of the day included Holy Liturgy, a concert
organized by the International Syrian Orthodox Scouts Orchestra, a pilgrimage
from St. Mary¹s Church in Saydnaya to St. Aphrem Monastery and a Scouts¹ parade.

Heads of Churches and officials from the region attended the Jubilee Day. Among
them were H.H. Pope Schenouda III, H. B. Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim. A
delegation from the Catholicossate of Cilicia, other church representatives,
Muslim religious leaders, government officials, ambassadors and members of the
Syrian Orthodox Church. MECC General Secretary, Mr. Guirgis Saleh attended the
event and gave an address, congratulating H.H. Patriarch Zakka. H.H. Pope
Schenouda gave an overview of the life and achievements of H.H. Patriarch Zacca.

Festivities included a Youth Day, a Day for exhibitions, Charity Bazaar and the
Church Choir Concert, and a final Concert by the St. Aphrem Patriarchal Choir.

The MECC warmly congratulates H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas I on this
occasion wishing him a long and healthy life.

Middle East Council of Churches
Office of International Ecumenical Relations
P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon

Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@... or guirgissaleh@...
+961-1-353-938
http://www.mec-churches.org/

Dear  Ann

It is kind of difficult even to think that  those who have believed in  Lord 
Jesus and who  study  Holy Bible may not be  Christians.

It is a very very difficult thought.  I will try to explain.

Lord said.

"If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a
Gentile or a tax collector" ( Matthew 18:17)

- During the time of  Lord  Jesus Tax-collectors were realy hated people.  They
were like ex-communicated.  Here Lord is saying, some people are worth treated
like  Tax-collectors!!

- why shuold he be treated that way? It is  Not for praying. Not for rejecting
Lord.  Not for studying  Holy Bible.  BUT  For DISOBEYING  Church.

- So Lord said this verse  not about   Hindus, Muslims or Jains. But about 
Christians who did not obey the Church.

Why is the people  rejeted  the bishops of the church be such hated?

"Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers in which you tend the church of God
that he acquired with his own blood" ( Acts 20:28 )

-- the bishops of the Church are appointed by  Holy Spirit.  So those who
disobeyed the synod, disobeyed the  Holy Spirit ( The God)

Now you can see most  "evangelists", have not stayed in the church.

Let us  Look at another verse, By Apostle Saint Paul,

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other
than the one that we preached to you, let the one be accursed." (1 Galatians
1:8).

--  Let us think about this verse.  Any one can preach to you.  But unless it is
EXACTLY  SAME  teaching  as the apostles, you should not receive them!  The
burden of proof is  ON  YOU!! This is hard.
How do you know, some street preacher or ( TV  preacher ) teaches is SAME as
apostles taught?

We cant ask Lord. ( Lord is the Truth). We cant ask  Apostles either, because
they are not alive.  So how do we know  what is Truth and what is a lie?.
Apostle  guides us.

"Church  the pillar and foundation of truth" ( 1 Tim  3:14-15)

- Yes, Apostle  Paul is telling you should look to the church for Truth.  Yes,
the power given to church is  enormous.  Salvation is given to church.  Ability
to forgive the sins is given to church and so on.

-God commanded us to observe Sabbath ( Genesis) on Saturday. But Chruch  changed
it to  Sunday, by this authority.

Again  Apostle  Paul continues

"Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. 
Then the God of peace will be with you" ( Philipians 4:9 )

- In Order to have  GOD  OF  PEACE  one shoud do  4 things

1)  one should do everything they LEARNED from apostles
2)  one should do everything they RECEIVED from apostes ( by way of letters )
3) one should  do everything they HEARD  from apostles ( it is NOT written
anywhere)
4) One should do every thing that they have  SEEN apostles done.
( out of  4 only  1 is  written in H. Bible)

Opposite of  "PEACE  OF  GOD" is  "WRATH of  GOD".  So those  who DO  NOT   obey
the above  may have  'WRATH  OF  GOD.'

Holy Scriptures says atleast  in  25  places it is not complete. I will quote
only   3 or 4 , because of space constrains.

** John 20:30  says that Jesus did "many other signs in the presence of his
disciples that are not written in this book".

** "There are so many  other things that Jesus did, but if there were to be
described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written" ( John 21:24)

**  "Until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy
Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by
many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and
speaking about the kingdom of God" ( Acts 1:3).  So what ever Lord Jesus taught
in those 40 days are not in the Bible!!!

**"And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of
the Loadiceans and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea".(Colossians
4:16.).  Where is this letter ????  It is not in Holy Bible.

You know,  Holy  Church was established on the day of  Pentecost. Holy Bible was
created ( as  H. Bible ) by AD  397.  So church existed for almost  400 years
without Holy Bible.

- So when you study Holy Bible ( which is inspired  Word of God) you do not
learn complete teachings of LORD.  For that you should look to  Chruch

"And he put all things beneath his feat and gave him as head over all things to
the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in
every way" ( Ephesians 1:22-23)

-As God `fills' Christ, Christ in turn `fills' the church and the
believer.

Which is this chruch?  There is only one church.  Why?  God being Truth cannot
teach  two differant disjoint doctirnes.  Either there  is priest or there is 
no priests.  There is infant baptism or there is no infant baptism.  There is
prayer for dead or not. One set is  true and other is a lie.  Satan preaches
lies and  God is the  Truth.

- So listen to the oldest church.  Dont wander here and there. When  Lord comes
second time, be in the church and live as per church rules.

-  There is no evangelists  outside church.  Church teaches  Holy Scriptures by 
"Evengalion" ( = Good news , or gospel) every Sunday. Listen to it.

-  if you know Malayalam , buy a "Holy Bible interpretation by Dr. Rev. Fr 
Kaniyamparambil.  I am not saying it is  'very ntersting'.  But who said,
understanding  God or His ways are easy?

-  if you dont know Mal,  visit  http://www.socdigest.org/  it has good articles
and bible study too.

Hope  I am clear.  Most important thing is to stay in church and obey it.

With  prayers and love
I am really sorry if this was lengthy.

Paul Reji
Meumber  901

"Faith and hope are not merely casual or theoretical matters. Faith requires a
steadfast soul, while hope needs a firm will and an honest heart. How without
grace can one readily believe in things unseen? How can a man have hope
concerning the hidden things held in store unless through his own integrity he
has gained some experience of the Lord's gifts? These gifts of grace are a gage
of the blessings held in store, which they manifest as present realities. Faith
and hope, then, require both virtue on our part and God's inspiration and help.
Unless both are present we labour in vain."

St. Theognostos.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that
water the earth. In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of
peace." Psalms 72:6-7

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

Please remember the following in your prayers:

The Victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Victims of Hurricane Rita.
The Christian Minority in Noshara, Pakistan.
Fadia - Breast Cancer.
Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage - multiple skull fractures. Merna
is conscious and talking but apparently she  had lost hearing in one ear. She is
doing better overall.
Tara - Systematic Lupus and financial and family problems
George k - Cancer
Frances - Brain Tumor
Delaney - 8 mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe burns and possible limb
amputation.
Peter, Bishoy and Neveen - healing from the loss of both their parents.
Alber - Cancer
K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and spiritual estrangement
E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.
Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the hospital and is doing great
E. Sidhom - Cancer.
Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a kidney transplant.
Bernard - Various drug addiction problems
Joseph - Prostrate Cancer
Mary - Breast cancer
A.K Matthew - Colon Cancer
Enyat - severe diabetes.
Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.
Samy - Bone cancer.
MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection
AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
SE -- Love, Healing
GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance
Helen - severe epileptic seizures.
Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, stroke.
Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a bone marrow donor.
Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.
Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.
Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.
Nicholas - constant back pain.
Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain tumor.
Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation soon.
Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from her kids.
Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.
Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of dementia.
Heidy - Depression and other problems.
Esther - Intestinal problems.
Nick - chemotherapy.
Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.
Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.
Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial difficulties.
Shafika - kidney failure.
Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.
Jean - Neurological back problems.
Therese - Emotional problems.
Reggie - Cancer.
Detra - Stress related health problems.
Walter Sr. - Depression.
Denise I. - Breast Cancer.
Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.
Zouhair - stomach cancer.
Magdy - brain tumor.
John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.
Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and securing a job.
H. Adel - finish the immigration papers and preparation successfully.
E.Tawadros - Strength, Support, Guidance, wisdom and success.
Shareen - Stays out of trouble, gets closer to God, and Leads a pure life.
Madlen - Lost her husband in an accident. She has 2 children.
Mark H - MS
Mamdooh, Nahed, Marina and Cyril - May the will of The Lord be done.
The mission of the Coptic Church in Africa and throughout the world.
The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Dear All,

Ann George's letter should be an eye opener for our Church.  It points to an
extremely urgent situation prevailing in the Universities and Colleges, mainly
in outside Kerala. Many of our children studying outside Kerala are attracted to
the "Cult Fashion' prayer groups, which shows more activism to them.  They see
no spiritual nourishments getting from our services, as it is NOT action
oriented!!! Ann says it clearly and points to us for the lack of education given
in our Church and Sunday School.  I agree with her. We have to seriously think
about it!!

Eventhough it won't be feasible for any priests of Outside Kerala diocese to
have regular visits to all Colleges in their area, they can do a wonderful job
by appointing some dedicated children in that colleges to 'canvass' our own
children and encourage them to attend the official meetings/services.  Once they
are in communion with our own people, they can be encouraged to have regular
meetings in their own premises and Achens can lead once in a while.  Many of our
young priests in outside kerala are doing a wonderful job in youth ministry.
However, I acknowledge that their dedicated works are not much supported by our
Church as a whole.

I sincerely wish that the letter from Ann should prick our conciousness and our
leadership should find some urgent solutions.

Thomas Abraham
St. Peter's Church - Bahrain
Member Id No: 879

u r absolutely right wen u say
"i dont think Jacobite youth receive such input in their churches
either through sermons or through Sunday School, at least i did'nt."

even i never recieved this.
for members unaware let me point to an example
one of the std 10 final exam questions abt 5-6 years back was wen
will comet fall on earth. apparently this was mentioned somewhere in
the text. seriously i am not joking , bcos my brother attended that
exam.

it is clear that our syallbus is outdated beyond any doubt.

let me however not loose track and deviate from the topic on hand.

" thus, they tend to be drawn to such meetings where things seem
to 'make more sense'  and are better explained.i also feel that they
do not go against the Word in any way."

there u r greatly mistaken madam. i have heard like u several sermons
at one point in my life. there r several differences.....

but u and i were unaware of this at one point of time simply cos we
were unaware of the teachings of the church(as u said bcos of the
failure on part of a few people)
but madam that certainly cant be taken as an execuse to follow wrong
teachings.
let me clear wat i am saying. for starters the bibles that the
pentecostals use has several deviations from the truth....some above
50 or so mistranslations r pointed to know more there is site of
st.ignatius church in america http://www.stignatious.com/salvation.htm some
articles by scholars on the bible.

u r probably wondering wats problem with mistranslations as long as
the message comes through. therein lies an even problem. it is here
that we find who is a false one ? did u know the offices of deacon ,
priest and bishopric is clearly mentioned in original translations.
do u know have pentecostals use the mis tranlated helpers, senior and
leader respectively to suit their interests the word church has been
convinently mis translated fellowship, assembly, gathering.
  i dont wana mention names but i am sure u have heard of plenty.
Think madam who benefits from these? is it not clear y the leader of
the assembly or leader(pastor) of fellowship refrain from using
bishopric....
it simply would blow their cover that these r without properly and
legally transfered ecclesiastal authority---> refer church faith and
histry how Jesus delegated authority in his church and who performed
the first holy communion after the ascension of christ. the church is
a place of order and not disorder simply bcos the Lord or the
HOLY SPIRIT for that matter is not the author of confusion.

we think our questions have been answered. it is a sense of false
security. do u wana know abt the scripture really? try to get hold of
commentaries by the GOLDEN MOUTHED st. john chrysostom or other early
church fathers . try to read an Introduction to the Gospels by BAR
SALIBI. wen u see the wisdom in the writings of these fathers u
understand the farce and drama tatics and explanations u hear from
false preachers .
i am not saying all r bad but many really are. so plz be careful.try
to avoid these meetings unless ur faith in the church is very very
strong.

i say this confidently cos i was shaken madam , shaken badly. i went
to extent of publically accusing our church fathers. but the LORD was
merciful and showed me the truth.
wat u used to think as better undersatnding is misunderstanding of
people who left the church bcos they couldn't suffer for christ.

there r many conventions as part of the jacobite movement as one
honorable member put it. try attending so that u can prevent Satan's
misinformation he is so bent upon.

plz forgive my spelling or any other mistakes

Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

Dearly beloved:

We are living in a world where Church teachings and traditions are
being overshadowed by ideas like, "Well, I am living my life
according to the Bible.  Church might have teachings and traditions,
but Why??, I am only gonna follow what Bible says and that is all
that is needed".  It is a fact that when we seek for spiritual
nourishment and uplift there is no equal substitute to the Bible,
the Word of God.  It is a Christian's Holy Book, a way of life
for him/her.  But, Bible has been interpreted and is still being
interpreted in so many different ways; most of the times to justify
some ones ideologies and understanding.  A lot of people have done
that very successfully, backed up by thousands of followers totally
convinced by their ideas and teachings, and so were formed numerous
Christian denominations.  All these denominations claim that they
are the true church; their teachings are the best interpreted,
practical, and the truth.  To a confused person, it makes it even
worse when some one questions their traditional faith, opens up a
Bible and throws verses at them and dictate their version to prove
them that, "this is what Bible says and you are practicing
wrong".  Especially in the US, a lot of our first generation
kids, who are now between the ages of 20-35 are the ones who are
more confused about faith and tradition.  Our Church was in a
premature stage and our Bishops, Priests, uncles and aunties
dedicated a lot of time, energy, and money to build up our Church to
what we are right now.  We should be very thankful to them for what
we have.  But, in that process we didn't have enough time,
resources, and man power to educate our kids on the values,
tradition, faith, and beliefs of the Holy Church.  No one has to be
blamed.  It just happened and all these reasons caused a vacuum in
their base of true Orthodoxy.  When they started mingling with
people from different beliefs, their faith and beliefs were
questioned…

"Why do you go to Church only on Sundays and do the same thing
over and over? Why do you perform infant baptism and not adult
baptism? Do you think that it says in the Da Vinci code is true? Why
do you pray for the departed?  Why do you ask for intercession to
the Saints?  Why do you celebrate perunnals and memorials?  Why do
guys and girls stand separated during the Communion?  Why don't
you have praise and worship sessions?  Why do you have politics in
your church?  Why do you kiss the Thirumeni's cross?  Why do you
keep pictures of Jesus and saints at Church and home, isnt that idol
worship?  What is the need of observing lent?  Why did you shorten
your lent? Why are females not allowed to serve the altar or be a
part of the ministry?.....".

Some of them were able to find the right answers; some of them
totally ignored the questions; some of them stumbled and were
totally carried away.  I personally know a lot of our kids who are
among the `totally carried away group' who are going to
Church just to please their parents.  When you ask them about this,
they always present a "Church Vs Bible" comparison, and the
outcome will be fault with the Church system.  They say that they
get a better spiritual upliftment by attending a non-denominational
or a different denomination's praise and worship rather than
attending a service at our Church.  Well, then it is our fault, we
need to think about it and make positive changes.  But, no system is
perfect and in most of the cases prejudgments are being made without
even putting any effort to find out the actual facts and truth.
First thing to understand is that the New Testament church was
founded by Christ through his apostles and was spread through his
disciples even before the Bible was compiled.  As a matter of fact,
the New Testament Bible was written and compiled by the same
apostles and disciples as well.  So, how could the Church beliefs,
teachings, and traditions be wrong?  As Syrian Orthodox Christians
and being a part of a rich tradition of the most ancient Church, it
is our responsibility to figure out what the truth is.  It is our
obligation to our past and future generations to follow the right
path.  For that we need to develop a base on which we could stand
strong without being bewildered when our faith and tradition are
being questioned.  We should do that atleast for the future of our
Church and for the sake of our future generation.  Recently a friend
of mine pointed out a website of St. Ignatius Church, Dallas.  I was
very much impressed by the articles that they have in their
resources section, especially the section called Ann Teaches
Orthodoxy.  I really appreciate the Achen, webmaster, and every one
else who is behind it for such a wonderful job and strongly
recommend you to take a look into it.

http://www.stignatious.com/   Drag the mouse to Resources on the
middle left side where you could click on your choice.
We want resources; we want help and guidelines in our efforts to
learn more about our Church.

I request the members of this forum to promote and encourage a
discussion based on the challenges of growing up as a Syrian
Orthodox Christian.  Faith related questions that a kid from our
Church, who doesn't not have a strong base on the Church's
beliefs and traditions could come across, and how he/she could
answer the questions based on the Bible and the teachings of our
Church fathers.  How not to be intimidated when we are usually put
on the spot by questions about the practices of our Church, and how
to give answers to why we are doing it, and why we think its right.
I strongly think that it would be a great help to all our Youth and
will be a great influence to the growing up kids by creating a data
base of this.

Dear and respected Thirumenis, Achens, Deacons,
elders and all…we need your feed back, we need your inputs…we
need you to guide us through…lead us through the path of learning
about our glorious Church.

Theshbuhatho L'Aloho
Knights of Eternal Fraternity with Antioch
Member ID # 0900

Dear All,

This refers to Ms. Ann George's message (2) in digest No.1388, wherein she
advocates for attending the evangelical meetings.

As has been seen in and around us, most of the protestant evengelists
start with a worship prayer, praise and beautifully prepared Bible study,
and thus attracts the poor, innocent believers from other churches.
Initially one will feel that it is not harmful, but feel better than our
worships. But later one will be dragged towards their doctrine, and poor
believer will start questioning his own church belief. It depends upon the
individuals involvement towards this new found doctrine,and finally he
will not have no other way to stay back with his original churches, but
forced to be with the new one.

Upon my observation of such people, it has been found that they are all
with mild mind set. Such people will be attracted towards anything new.
They can't be firm on their belief. Such people were reluctant to involve
in their own church affairs, and have a inferiority complex in their
group, becuase of their own actions. They will find more involved with
these new found group of believers, and the leader of that group will see
that such people should be given prominence in all its activities of their
faith related activities. They imbibe a complex upon these poor
individuals, and they become prey to their hidden agenda of increasing the
number of their group members. One more thing I would like to add about
these people. If they go to any other religious places, like temples or
mosques with loud musical backgrounds, such people will dance immediately
after hearing it. They will forget the world even during that time.

Dear Sr. Ann, be careful while interacting with such elements. Stick to
your belief. Understand that just hearing a sermon will not amount to
acquiring an eternal life, your actions will. You try to understand the
meanings of our prayers, which are so beautifuly written. Nothing in this
world is beautiful and meaningful than our prayers (such as premyons and
Sedras, and prayers of important days). If one concentrate and try to
understand our prayers fully will never be attracted towards the
protestant pastors beautiful and sweetened words.

With prayers,
CJ Varughese
Member ID#1012

"You look into a mirror so that you may know what is in your face, whether there
are any blemishes in it, and having seen blemishes, you cleanse them. Let the
immaculate life of Christ be a mirror to your soul, look into it often and know
what is in your soul. Does it desire the same things that Christ desires? And
does it do that Christ did when He lived on earth? And in it you will see what
is contrary to the life of Christ, and you will cleanse it all like blemishes
with repentance and contrition of heart. Christ the Lord despised honor, glory,
and riches in this world, thought He was able to have everything as the Master
of all. Do you not seek honor, riches, and glory in this world?"

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the
people." Psalms 9:11

---------------------------------------------------------------

New Coptic Hospital & HIV/AIDS Hope Center

On Sunday, October 23 from 2:00 - 6:00PM, Bishop Paul (Bishop of Mission
Affairs) will be hosting a Fundraising Banquet at Prime Suites Hotel in
Secaucus, NJ for the New Coptic Hospital & HIV/AIDS Hope Center. Tickets are $75
and will be sold at Coptic churches in Northeast this week.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to support this effort, please send
your donation to:
Care In Action
St. Mary Coptic Hospital
20 Connies Lane
Spencerport, NY 14559

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Requests:

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

And when he served the Liturgy, his face became like an angel's and was
penetrated with such light that it was not possible to look freely at him ....
His mind was bright, clearly beholding the truth of God. He loved these truths
with all the fullness of his heart. Therefore, when he would give a talk his
words went from heart to heart and were always effective and fruit-bearing.

the life of St. Symeon the New Theologian in The Sin of Adam, Seven Homilies by
St. Symeon; Platina CA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Immense is the benefit of the Divine Liturgy, of commemorations, etc.; full of
sure benefit for those who repented, who had a little yeast of the virtues, but
who by reason of negligence, indolence, and occasional procrastination did not
arrive on time to knead the bread of virtues; for these people, the prayers of
the Church and their own prayers, charity, philanthropy, etc., fill up their
lack, through the multitude of God's mercies!

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem says, concerning all Liturgies, that all who are
commemorated, for the sake of whom intercession is made, receive the greatest
benefit.

REF:Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
...the Priest cries aloud, 'Lift up your hearts.' For truly we ought in
that...hour [i.e. the Divine Liturgy] to have our hearts on high with God, and
not below, thinking of earth and earthly things. In effect therefore the Priest
bids all in that hour to dismiss all cares of this life, or household anxieties,
and to have their heart in heaven with the merciful God. Then you answer, 'We
lift up our hearts unto the Lord:' assenting to it, by your avowal. But let no
one come here, who could say with his mouth, 'We lift up our hearts unto the
Lord,' but in his thoughts have his mind concerned with the cares of this life.
At all times, rather, God should be in our memory; but if this is impossible by
reason of human infirmity, in that hour above all this should be our earnest
endeavor.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Catechetical Lectures: Lecture 23 no. 4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For God's grace to come during the Liturgy you must be concentrated and
untroubled.

Elder Amphilochios Makris - http://agrino.org/cyberdesert/makris.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

Dear Ann,

From your message, I can see that you are hungry for knowledge of the Christian
faith.  I commend you deeply.

The question is, how do we satisfy such an appetite?  If some foods are not
prepared correctly, they may do more harm than merit to our bodies.  In Japan,
there is a fish called "Fugu," which we might call a "Puffer fish."  This fish
is deadly poisonous, yet it is a delicacy.  It must be prepared carefully and
correctly so that one may enjoy its unique taste.

This really is the same with the scriptures (as well as some praise and worship
songs).  Like the fugu fish, many men tried to consume the scriptures without
proper preparation.  They thought they could each proclaim their personal
interpretation of the scriptures as the correct, divine interpretation; the
result of this idea, was a world that has been poisoned by an extraordinary
large amount of denominations all claiming to follow the true Christ.

It may be that no one educated you in your early years; I can't say.  Still, it
is good that you desire to be educated.  You must be careful when dealing with
people who are not qualified to give authentic exegesis.  My recommendation
would be NOT to attend these meetings, until you are better prepared to help
bring them to the fullness of the Christian faith.  It is possible that these
meetings are innocent, but it is also possible that they are done to mislead
innocent folks such as yourself.

I suggest you bring some of the topics they have discussed and share them with
us in the forum.  It would be beneficial to everyone.

Mike Wingert
# 0902

July 04, 2005 was indeed a black day for all the Jacobite believers across the
world, which we can never forget. Police brutally lathi-charged (chasing and
caning) the priests and believers assembled at Aluva St. Mary's Church on
Sunday, in support of the hunger-strike of the Catholicose H.B. Baselious Thomas
I. The Catholicos started his `Fast until death' protesting the government
support given to Orthodox Catholicose-designate to enter into the Trikkunnath
Seminary Chapel on Saturday evening, while the area was under CrPC 144 ban.

The video clippings of the police brutality at Aluva St Mary’s Church against
innocent priests, nuns, aged men and women would put to tears a stone hearted
person. The police brutality at Kozhikkode Kakkayam camp during emergency was
nothing when it is compared with the police brutality at Kalamassery police
camp.

After an investigation, government of Kerala suspended 7 police officers from
the service, who are responsible to this brutal act.

Dear Ajay,

You are absolutely in the right way of thinking. I admire it. A few words in
Malayalam, English or Syriac for praising our ever merciful Almighty God WILL
NOT make any difference in the analyzation of one's faith.  The judgement is
always according to our deeds or actions. Look in our midnight prayers.  How
many times we chant 'Halleluyyas'? Listen to this Malayalam hymn of ours:
"Sthothram sthothram Kartthaave, sthothra-mathaayira-maayiramaay (singing of
'sthothram' is not finished yet), anavadhiyaay sthram naadhaa.....krupa venam
njangalilennum".

These 'praise the Lord'/'sthothram' versus are not anybody's family inheritence
(it does not belong to any so-called mushroom churches)but belong to the hearts
where God suppose to dwell.  I heard sometime people greet each other 'praise
the Lord' or 'Sthothram' etc. but to me it was just garbage as they dont mean
anything or I dont see anything good in their course of lives physically...I
mean they use those words to identify themselves to others...that's why its mere
garbage to me.  You know Ajay, we are created exclusively for glorifying the
Almighty just little below the level of the heavenly angels.  So if it is from
your heart, use any language and praise Him, Praise Him, thank Him(say
Sthothram) for ever.

Praise the Lord for His abundant mercies.

Humbly in His Service,

Babu Jacob,
General Secretary, St.Paul's Fellowship
Malankara Archdiocese of SOC in NA
Member#0983

"I have heard Holy Scripture somewhere condemn those who are guilty of
blaspheming God. `Woe to those,' it says, `through whom my Name is blasphemed
among the Gentiles.' Now the meaning g of these words is something like this:
Those who have not yet believed the word of truth closely examine the lives of
those who have received the mystery of the faith. If, therefore, people are
`faithful' only in name, but contradict this name by their life, whether by
committing idolatry for the sake of gain or by disgracing themselves by
drunkenness and revelry, being immersed in profligacy like swine in the mud -
then the pagans immediately attribute this not the free choice of these
evil-living men, but to the mystery which is supposed to teach these things.
For, they say, such and such a man who has been initiated into the Divine
mysteries would not be such a slanderer, or so avaricious and grasping, or
anything equally evil, unless sinning was lawful for them. `Woe to those through
whom my Name


is blasphemed among the Gentiles."

St. Gregory of Nyssa.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in
my heart." Psalms 4:6-7

---------------------------------------------------------------

New Coptic Hospital & HIV/AIDS Hope Center

On Sunday, October 23 from 2:00 - 6:00PM, Bishop Paul (Bishop of Mission
Affairs) will be hosting a Fundraising Banquet at Prime Suites Hotel in
Secaucus, NJ for the New Coptic Hospital & HIV/AIDS Hope Center. Tickets are $75
and will be sold at Coptic churches in Northeast this week.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to support this effort, please send
your donation to:
Care In Action
St. Mary Coptic Hospital
20 Connies Lane
Spencerport, NY 14559

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

Please remember the following in your prayers:

The Victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Victims of Hurricane Rita.
The Christian Minority in Noshara, Pakistan.
Fadia - Breast Cancer.
Merna - 9 yrs old girl with brain hemorrhage - multiple skull fractures. Merna
is conscious and talking but apparently she  had lost hearing in one ear. She is
doing better overall.
Tara - Systematic Lupus and financial and family problems
George k - Cancer
Frances - Brain Tumor
Delaney - 8 mon. old baby, hospitalized with severe burns and possible limb
amputation.
Peter, Bishoy and Neveen - healing from the loss of both their parents.
Alber - Cancer
K - Depression, anxiety, addiction, pride and spiritual estrangement
E. Tawadros - confusion and depression.
Andrew Eskander - car accident. Andrew is out of the hospital and is doing great
E. Sidhom - Cancer.
Adel Gendy - 10 years old with kidney failure, needs a kidney transplant.
Bernard - Various drug addiction problems
Joseph - Prostrate Cancer
Mary - Breast cancer
A.K Matthew - Colon Cancer
Enyat - severe diabetes.
Safwat - Kidney problems and Anxiety.
Samy - Bone cancer.
MS - Mercy, Comfort, Strength, Healing and Protection
AAM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
MM -- Love, Healing, Comfort, Strength, Support and Guidance
SE -- Love, Healing
GE -- Love, Comfort, Strength, Support, Guidance
Helen - severe epileptic seizures.
Stephan - 48 years old, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, stroke.
Scott - 4 months old baby desperately in need of a bone marrow donor.
Douglas McLead - Cancer and kidney failure.
Mrs. McLead - Parkinson disease.
Fr Benjamin, Photini, Marina, Miriam, Moses.
Nicholas - constant back pain.
Michael - 9 years old boy with a progressive brain tumor.
Sarah - Back problems and might need an operation soon.
Mayrvat and her 3 kids. She has been separated from her kids.
Elizabeth - bi-polar disease and other problems.
Fr. Constantine S. Palassis - suffers from symptoms of dementia.
Heidy - Depression and other problems.
Esther - Intestinal problems.
Nick - chemotherapy.
Sue S. - Advanced Cancer.
Helen P. - severe depression and diabetes.
Pamela P. - chronic depression and financial difficulties.
Shafika - kidney failure.
Mary Beth - Obesity & Diabetes.
Jean - Neurological back problems.
Therese - Emotional problems.
Reggie - Cancer.
Detra - Stress related health problems.
Walter Sr. - Depression.
Denise I. - Breast Cancer.
Cuba Plain - cancer that is high up in the breast.
Zouhair - stomach cancer.
Magdy - brain tumor.
John Rittel - cancer of the lymph node and voice box.
Eugene - completion of immigration procedures and securing a job.
H. Adel - finish the immigration papers and preparation successfully.
E.Tawadros - Strength, Support, Guidance, wisdom and success.
Shareen - Stays out of trouble, gets closer to God, and Leads a pure life.
Madlen - Lost her husband in an accident. She has 2 children.
Mark H - MS
Mamdooh, Nahed, Marina and Cyril - May the will of The Lord be done.
The mission of the Coptic Church in Africa and throughout the world.
The Christians in Egypt. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25

Please remember me in your prayers.

Please pray for the peace of the world.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian, and said to
him, "Abba, give me a word, that I may be saved." So the old man
said, "Go to the cemetery and abuse the dead." The brother went
there, abused them and threw stones at them; then he returned and
told the old man about it. The latter said to him, "Didn't they say
anything to you?" He replied, "No."

The old man said, "Go back tomorrow and praise them." So the brother
went away and praised them, calling them, "Apostles, saints, and
righteous men." He returned to the old man and said to him, "Did they
not answer you?" The brother said, "No."

The old man said to him, "You know how you insulted them and they did
not reply, and how you praised them and they did not speak; so you
too, if you wish to be saved, must do the same and become a dead man.
Like the dead, take no account of either the scorn of men or their
praises, and you can be saved."

             "The Desert Christian," by Sr. Benedicta Ward, (New York:
MacMillan, 1975), p. 132


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ajay Kuriakose
id#2303

Let me thank Dr. Fr.Kuriakose Corepiscopa Moolayil, for sending me the recent
books published from Mor Adai Study Center (http://moradaistudycenter.cjb.net/).

The book 'Syrian Orthodox Church, Its Religion and Philosophy' by Kadavil
Athanasius thirumeni is one among the  best books i received from there
recently. It covers in brief about SOC as a whole and this is the book i give to
my friends in US who wants to learn about SOC. I recomend every one to have a
copy of that book and introduce your Church to others.

Let us keep our Moolayil achen and others, who are in constant effort to
re-produce such valuable books for the believers, in our daily prayers.

Sinu John
Birmingham, AL, USA
Member ID: 0076

Dear All,

I am sure that I may anger at least a few of our members by this mail. But
please do bear with me.

Recently I read in one of the IOC Forums that HG Mor Athanasios Thomas of
Kandanad Diocese was the main person responsible for the conversion of
Vellathooval Stephen a dreade Naxalite. I dont have any first hand information
on the same so cannot comment. But this propmted me to think about HG.

Though HG is not with us anymore, we cannot dispute the fact that he is one of
the most scholarly thirumenis we have in the Malankara church today, both
factions put together. We also cannot dispute the fact that when we lost him it
was a real loss. Until now, I have not been able to understand the reason why HG
did this to us. Maybe he had his own reasons. Maybe he has his own
justifications.That is not a point of our discussion now.

I have been sometimes pondering over what HG will be thinking within himself.
Will he have ever realised that he betrayed the faith of the church who made him
what he is today ? Will he have ever thought how much he must have pained the
soul of L L Baselios Paulose Bava who nurtured him from childhood ? And most
importantly will he ever have thought about reversing the hasty decision he took
?

I personally believe that we can group the four bishops who defected into two
categories. Mor Severios and Mor Athanasios are more simple minded and more
sincere in their approach while the other two have been known manipulators who
would have made better politicians. Please do not feel that I am judging anyone.
This is personally what I have inferred. This had given a ray of hope that the
first two may return to the mother church. Of these Mor Severios is already back
and was welcomed into the church. That leaves us with with HG Mor Athanasios.

Of course, he has filed court cases against us. Of course the priests appointed
by him have created problems in our churches and closed down some of them. But I
cannot believe that it was HG who wanted it this way. Maybe he was desperate to
prove something to his new Masters. Maybe this has been preventing him from
thinking about a comeback. Maybe he is afraid what will be the reaction of the
people. This is where we have to help him.

I am sure HG will not be at peace with himself when he thinks how he has
betrayed the church which had kept so much faith in him. I sincerely request
everybody to pray for HG to take a decision about coming back to the mother
church. Thirumeni, at the spur of the moment you might have taken a wrong
decision. But we the church need you. We need your spiritual guidance. And if
you take a decision to comeback be assured of the same love and obedience you
enjoyed with us earlier. Please do listen to your conscience.

Best Regards

Request to moderators : Please withhold my name from the message.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Name & member ID is withheld by the moderators as per the request of honorable
member.

1. A Quick Reference 'FLOW CHART' to the MALANKARA SABHA CHARITHRAM, prepared by
Mr. Davis Cherian Velamparampil (Jacob Cherian), Sharjah.(external link)
http://www.stgeorgecheppaud.org/Sabha_Charithram.pdf
OR    http://us.share.geocities.com/malankaravoice10/Sabha_Charithram.pdf

2.  Silver Jubilee of the Patriarchal Enthronement:
(Article by Very Rev. Kuriakose Moolayil
Corepiscopa)http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice10/200509PatKExp.htm

3. Catholica Bava met AICC president Mrs. Sonia Gandhi at New Delhi
http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice10/20051001delhiManorama.htm

For more Links, visit:
http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice10/news_section.htm
http://malankara.cjb.net/  or
http://www.geocities.com/malankaravoice10

Reading : From the Gospel according to St. Luke 16: 9-18

Dear and Respected Brethren,

We listen to our Lord’s verses as mentioned in Verse 9 of today’s reading,
after listening to the description about the steward who was improper in
dealing with the trust handled by him Here we read, “make yourselves friends
of the riches of unrighteousness; that when you fail, they may receive you
into everlasting habitations”. Our Lord is not against  the earning of
riches in the righteous ways; where as He cautions the bad effects of
accumulating riches in the unrighteous ways and means. Now we are supposed
to check ourselves and see whether we are earning our riches in the
righteous ways and means or not. We should not forget the fact that we are
custodians or trustees of the trusts/riches, handed over to us by our Lord
God. When we become selfish there takes place a problem. Most often we boast
that the personal riches are the net results of our own efforts. We should
not forget the giver of all these riches. We are bound to care the ones
around us and have to share what we enjoy in our everyday lives. Other wise
God will find us also as wanting when weighed us on the balances, as
mentioned in Daniel 4: 27.

Our Lord taught us how to accumulate wealth and where to do so. In St.
Matthew 6:19 our Lord gives us a good explanation for this matter. When the
earthly riches come to us, we should not ignore the needy, and downtrodden
around us. Giving alms is the great teaching of Christianity and we often
ignore or forget about such a noble identity of a true Christian. In St.
Luke 11:41 we read about the need of giving alms to the needy and deserving.
This portion of the Holy Scriptures reminds us to re-schedule our style of
lives accommodating the priority of giving alms to the needy and deserving
around us. St. Paul also exhorts us to do so in I Timothy 6:17.

Our Lord specifically tells us that if we are faithful in the small share
entrusted to us, He will entrust with responsibility of much larger parts.
Let us think whether we are trustworthy in our daily lives. If not let us
repent well and try to be trustworthy in our future lives. We should not
forget the fact that there is nothing greater than being a trustworthy or
faithful in the sight of our Lord God. Kindly refer St. Matthew 25:21 and
St. Luke 18:17.

Most often we are not serious about the question of our Lord mentioned in
verse 11. We do not try to understand the seriousness or the deep meaning of
the question. Let us think whether we are interested in earning unrighteous
riches without proper love, faith and conviction. Are we interested in
earning worldly riches after riches, by hook or crook? Why we cannot think
of the real riches, though we read and listen to the exhortations against
the perishable worldly riches? Kindly think about it seriously and
meaningfully.

We are also bound to listen to the teaching of St. Paul in Ephesians 3:8 and
St. John in Revelation 3:18, about the real riches. We should not delay in
admitting the real fact that real wealth is not worldly and it will not help
us in any way. In verse 12, our Lord guarantees that if we would try and
attempt to earn the real riches, which are eternal, God would grant them
free. Let us try to understand the deep meaning of this promise of our Lord.

Our Lord strongly argued that no one could serve two masters at a time,
being trustworthy to both. Lord Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve God
Almighty and the timely and perishable worldly riches at a time. When we
would attend the Holy Eucharist service, we listen to the exhortation of the
celebrant to send our minds, thoughts and hearts to the right hand side of
God the Father, where our Lord Jesus is exalted. We often reply this
exhortation, without thinking the meaning of the reply. Most often our
hearts and thoughts must be after the worldly riches and their management.
How many of us could say that he or she is cent percent faithful to his/her
word? Let us decide to be near our Lord God always, not only when we would
attend the Holy Sacraments, but on all days and at all times.

Let us take an oath and pledge that we don’t need a second in our lives
without our Lord, God and Savior Lord Jesus Christ. Let us submit ourselves
and our own relatives to the feet of our Lord and Savior.

We must follow the message of our Lord to the Pharisees who were interested
in earning wealth by anyhow or the other. Verse 15 of today’s reading must
shake the walls of our hearts. Let us not forget the truth that our God
views all transactions in our minds. Let us be careful to keep away
ourselves and our belongings from the wrath and hatred of God. Let us
meditate on l Samuel 16:7 and St. James 4:4. We should not forget the fact
that the love of God in us will decrease as and when we would love the world
and the worldly riches.
May God bless us all.

Jose Kurian Puliyeril
Member ID # 0905