Vicar's Message - May
My Dearly beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the name of our Risen Lord.
As I am completing a year with St. John’s community, I would
like to express my sincere thanks to you for the love and care that you are
giving to us. This journey with Christ and you all, was an experience of
Sacrament. Let us continue this journey with the guidance and transforming
power of the Almighty God.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s
special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1Pet. 2:9). Are you proud of
being a member of the St. John’s Mar Thoma Church? Can you find time to
explore the positive aspects of the Mar Thoma Church, even though it has
many aspects to reform? Ours is a people oriented and people friendly
Church. The spirit of democracy in decision making bodies of our church
gives involvement and participation to all the people. We have adopted a
constitution of our own by following all legitimate democratic procedures
and strictly following its provisions for the daily functioning. It is a
laity oriented Church. Women are also given due respect in the policy making
and daily running of the affairs of the Church. Youths, children and elderly
are given due importance and participation in the daily functioning of the
Church. The Altar Boys and Girls Grid are the new example of the same. Are
you aware of the possibilities and need of our positive involvement in the
church affairs? Are we highlighting the negative aspects of the church
always? Many of our members like to keep a distance from the activities of
the Church. We may have many reasons for our inactivity. But we believe that
our real involvement in the Church (as a body of Christ) is a participation
in the building up of the Kingdom of God. We own the Church in all
situations and our belongingness to the Church should make a remarkable
influence in our being and becoming.
At
the same time using the church with a market eye (selfishness or profit
motive) is dangerous. Being a member of the Church I have certain
responsibilities towards Almighty God, to the Church and to the entire
society. The mission and Ministry of the Church is my responsibility. There
is no one else to take my place and to do my duties.
Let us commit ourselves to the Kingdom of God through our participation in
Church services. Not only in worship services but service to God and His
Ministry in this cosmos.
