By Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan 

By Rev. P.K.Zachariah Bethel Marthoma Church, Philadelphia, USA

1. Jesus will come to any situation, in any place. Jesus came to this small ordinary wedding. Lust like He entered Peter's empty boat. Just like he stayed with Zaccheus at his house.

2. God will always use ordinary things and ordinary people for his work. He used the servants and the vases because they were available for se and were obedient.

3. Jesus transforms the worst of situations. Suddenly, sorrows turn into joy, agony turn into joy, pain turns into joy. Jesus transformed everyday water into the choicest of wines

ASSISSI - 2002

By Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan

John Paul II called an ecumenical meeting at St.Francis Basilica compound Assisi, Italy on Jan 24, 2002 to aim at The World Peace. Various religious leaders of the world attended the meeting which includes Catholic Christians, various Orthodox Christian, Muslims, Buddha, Jews, Religious Leaders from Africa etc. This is the third world meeting called by John Paul II after the world trade center attack  After the world trade center attack, there is a feeling that Muslim Community is getting separated from the rest of the religions and to avoid same, this ecumenical meeting was arranged by John Paul II. 

H.G.THOMAS MAR ATHANASIOS REPRESENTED MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH.

(L'elenco dei partecipanti, Chiesa siro ortodossa del Malankar (India) S.E.Thomas Mar Athanasius, Vescovo di chengannur, Rev.Dr.Mathew Baby,.......)
Quotation from L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO News paper from Italy

Chengannoor: Assissi - 2002 All Religion Conference called upon by Pope John Paul II was convened at Assisi of Italy where the Francis Assisi, the prophet of peace was born. To attend the prayer and meeting H.H.Pope and other participants traveled from Italy to Assisi by a train specially made for this. More than 200 delegates representing various religions in the world took part in the association on Jan.24^th. These includes Cardinals of Roman Church, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, Sikhs, Jain, Bahaist, Hindu, Sourashtra Priest, Top Religious Leaders of African Tribes' Christians. All these delegates attended the meeting as per the special invitaion from Pope.

Prayer of different religions were offered in lower Basilica of Assisi and in sacred convent. H.H.Mar Pope addressed the world leaders. He reminded the significance of the spiritual association in a world of terrorism, wars and troubles. He also said there is lacking of love and unity among the world leaders and there is threats, enmity, competitive spirit in them. It is true for all religions to assemble and pray for unity in a such difficult situation. Now we have assembled and have offered our prayers. We are all now in one place with prayers and greetings. How great is God!

Swami Agnivesh and his disciples representing Hindu religion of India took part in the prayer.

"We know it is very difficult to prepare a way for peace and we may be able to attain it only through hard works and sacrificial lives" said Sir.Richard Gerard, representing the Arch Bishop of Canterbury. He also reminded only through such a life, peace and brotherhood would be brought in humanity.

"This is a day that we have turned our minds with prayer for the peace and the prosperity of the world " said Dr, Ismaiel Nocko of the Muslim Community." Only through debates, self examination and prayer based on respect can rout out the evils of terror, will and hatred" he said.

Dr, Satree Neomi, Secretary of Allans Sa Mondal after prayer said in the association that the world countries always should follow brotherly love.It is the mountain duty of all religions to grow towards this kind of love .

Geeshe Thasi Sering the Budhist said that we should help the needful.

"The peace is a gift from God if there is no peace in man in his family and social life how can he bring peace to the world."said Amdu Gazeto of African Vodu Dynasty.

"We may think there is peace in the world when there is no war and pestilence, but if there is no co operation and benevolence among them the world is not in peace" said Deedi Talvalker of the Hindu religion

All religious leaders unitedly proposed to put an end to terrorism activities from the world.(The prayer meeting conducted in a newly built tent near the tomb of Francis Assisi.The leaders prayed with one heart for peace,love,justice and tolerance with Holy Pope.

I am fully convinced of the importance of this Association that may lead world to peace.

"The appalling events which shook the world in September of last year.at the very beginning of the third millenium, sowed seeds of violence and hatred, and broke the spell of a society which saw itself as advanced and free, but yet in an instant found itself fragile and threatened.

The terrorist acts, which struck and damaged places seen as symbols of economic and military power, touched the hearts of everyone and revealed the weakness of the world situation. There was danger that these events would be seen as a conflict between the Muslim world and other religions, especially Christianity.

Beyond the predictable and almost unanimous condemnation of terrorism understood as a threat to the harmony and rights of individuals and nations throughout the world, the tragic events of Sep.2001 stirred a number of helpful reactions in more attentive observers, and especially among the followers of the different religions;

-First, a condemnation of terrorism and every type of armed aggression, which always bring hatred and violence and everywhere sow seeds of death and sorrow.

-Second, the desire to testify together that religions are committed to fostering in the world a climate of peace, justice and understanding, avoiding at all costs opposition between the various religions and the use of the different creeds to justify war and violence.

-Third, followers of the different religions, their hearts enlightened by the religious spirit which everywhere promotes fraternity among the world"s peoples, were deeply aware of the still open and weeping wounds of injustice, ethnic and social conflict, the violence of war, and disregard for the rights of individuals and peoples, which cause suffering and endemic poverty, the lack of work and dignity, the great migrations and the menacing conflicts still taking place.

Faced with this world scene, the representatives of the various religions have almost spontaneously in recent months to a common mind on three great commitments, to which they have often given expression.

-First, a heightened sense of the value of peace as a gift from God, to be prayed for with ever greater trust, according to the practice and tradition of each religion.

-Second, the desire to demonstrate solidarity, joining together in shared supplication for peace.

-Third, the urgent need to witness to a commitment to peace and justice,both in daily life and in the great decisions of political and social life - a witness which the secularized world ,though far removed from religion,often demands and of which it feels itself in need.

Ever since the fearful events of last Sept., His Holiness Pope John Paul II has condemned terrorism and has by his universally recognized moral authority urged everyone to choose peace, justice and forgiveness. He has interpreted the wishes of many in summoning Catholics to Day of Fasting and Prayer for the sake of peace-undertaken with great seriousness on 14 December last, during Advent-and in inviting Representatives of the world religions to make a pilgrimage of prayer to the City of Assissi;"I wish to announce that I intend to invite Representatives of the religions of the world to come to Assisi on 24 January 2002 to pray for the end of conflict and the promotion of true peace, and to come together,especially Christians and Muslims,to declare before the world that religion must never become a cause of conflict,hatred and violence(Angelus,18 November 2001)

WHAT IS CRUCIFIXION
By Br.Paul CiniRaj Mohamed
(Malankara Sabha Missionary, Devalokam, Kottayam)

The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown; backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backwards against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified.

As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain- the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, throbbing pain.  With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled.  He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath.

Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside.  Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over-the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues-the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...Finally, he can allow his body to die... All this the Bible records with the simple words, "and they crucified Him" (Mark 15:24).

What wondrous love is this? Many people don't know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us...because of the brutality, crucifixion was given a sentence to only its worst offenders of the law. Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of creeps who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals... What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal anything? The answer as we all know is NO!!  Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing  to die, in between two thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our slain savior for our sins.

TO BECOME A COMPLETE MAN
By Fr. T.G. Varghese Thundil
(Vice President Catholicate Society and Author of many Malayalam Christian Books)

What is man and who is a Christian man? Can a man become a complete man or God-man?

Man! He is the most wonderful creation among all Creations of God.  He is the crown of all beings and apex of creation.  He is a bud, which aims for better flowering.  Man is the Cosmo genesis and axis of universe.  But he is a combination of Divine and Material.  So he is both celestial and terrestrial by nature.  There is weakness in his terrestrial structure.  He is materialistic and impotent in the divine body.  He was formed "Little less than God" and adorned with the crown of glory and honour.  Though he is weak by nature he has given the power and "dominion over the works of his hands."  (Ps. 8,5) He is always imperfect in his actions and performances.  He usually commits wrongs and doing sins.  He is both and a saint a sinner.

All are sinful due to one ancient man's sin.  He lost his completeness due to Adam's sin.  The history of human race is the history of down fallen and trodden race till the coming of Christ.  Due to one man's sin his successors shared that sin.  Sin remained as the same while sinners increased in the world.  Wars, pestilence and disharmony that were prevalent in the world were brought out from imperfect, incomplete and immature minds of the sin bearing human race.  Due to sin man lost friendship with God, nature, others and with in themselves.  He was in disharmony with God, Nature, others and with his own heart.  Man became a broken vessel.  He was separated from harmonious life.  Shame prevailed all over them.  In their hidden dens they tried to reconcile themselves with God.  They offered sacrifices to Almightily.  They lighted lights to God and offered perfumes of please Him.  Though licentiousness governed him, his desire to rejoin in the friendship of God in creased in him.  But how can an in perfect human nature join with the finite. 

God Almighty  from above understood man's struggle for reconciliation.  He understood man is quite helpless in attaining re-union with Him.  So God sent his only begotten son down on earth to redeem His human creation from the pit of sin and to restore them to their former glory.  Jesus came down at the will of His father and incarnated in the womb of Virgin Mary.  He took Himself man's sin on Himself and shed His Blood as a ransom for man's sin.  Thus God the son brought redemption of man and returned to His former place at the right hand seat of the father.  He gave the fallen race Redemption, Remission, Regeneration, Restoration and Reconciliation with the Father.  His blood procures redemption, justification, cleansing, peace, sanctification and nearness.  His word converts the soul, enlightens the eyes and cleanses the ways.  He has given us the liberty to enter in to salvation.  The door of Faith and Salvation is ever opened visiting the sinners to enter in. Those who accept Him and His salvation become a complete man.  Those who are in Christ become a Christian.  He becomes a new creation governed by Christ's spirit, i.e.; Holy Spirit.  He invites all to receive Holy Spirit and to get saved.  Come and Kneel before his love; He is our peace.  For your completeness you accept Him as your Savior.  Through faith in Him and through baptism you are grafted with His Divine Body.  Wonder! How easily you become a complete man.

GEEVARGHESE SAHEDA
By V.Varghese Mulakuzha
(Rtd.Superendent of M.P.Electricity Board - Jabalpur)

CHILDREN'S PAGE

GOD CALLS US BY NAME

BY MAREEN MATHEW

Dear friends,
Did you ever thought that God knows us by our own name. If we search in the Bible we come to know that God calls each of us by name. In several cases we see that God himself put the name or he decide which name is to be put for a person. God put the name of the first man as 'Adam'.

As soon as we are originated in the womb of our mother God put a name for us and that name is written in a Book of Life. So even the still born child who has never seen the world or no name was put in the world, also got a name given by God. In several cases God instruct what name is to be given to a child. Angel of God appeared to Hagar and instructed her to call her son 'Ismael'. Also God told Abraham to name his son as Issac. When John the Baptist was born, first his parents wanted to call him by the name of his father Zacharia. But God instructed them to put the name of the Child as John. When Angel appeared to Mary, she was instructed to put her Son's name as Jesus. So God gives a name to everyone in the world, died, living, and those to be born.

Can we imagine such a big storage of name God has. Of course it will need a much bigger computer to store these entire names, than the biggest Computer in world.

How many of our friends' name, we can remember? But God remember the name of every body and he calls us by our name. When he called Samuel, he called him by name. He called in the night 'Samuel, Samuel, Samuel'. Some time God even change our name as per context. Initially Abraham's Name was Abram. One day God changed his name as Abraham from Abram. Same way his wife's name was Sarai. God Changed her name from Sarai to Sarah. Jesus Changed Name of Peter as Cephas which means rock.

Do You know that God not only name Human , but also all living things, Mountain, River, all the things in world and celestial. After the creation, God came down to Adam and asked him to put name for all the creatures in the world. What ever Adam called it, that became its name. After he created the earth he put names of rivers in Eden like Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, Euphrates. Also he put name for land, mountain, villages, towns, even he put name for Stones.

What Wonder! How big is God's Name Storage ?

An Old Testament Story

So we have seen that Abraham with his family, his father and his nephew Lot started his journey from the city of Ur to the Place God promised him. Just watch that there was no communication like EMail, Phone not even a Post Man that time. So he never knew about the place where he was going. Also there was no conveyance like car, plane or not even a Bullock Cart. He had to walk all the way or use Camel for the journey. He never questioned God. He blindly believed him and obeyed him. Abraham was well settled in Ur and he had a lot of Sheep, Cattle, Farm Houses, Servants, Relatives etc. But He renounced everything to obey the Commands of God.

The land what God promised to Abraham was not so near. Also imgine that the journey is through the desert and heat during the day is so high and unbearable. They had to travel many days. So they made tents to stay in between during the night. They had to prepare their food in the wilderness. Abraham was not knowing where exactly he was going! All he knew was that God promised to show him where to go, and he believed God. He was sure God would show him the way to a promised land. And God did it.

The tiring journey went on and on, day after day and week after week. They came to a place called Haran. Haran was in a country called Mesopotamia; now this country is called Iraq.Some very important thing happened when they reached Haran. A very sad incident for Abraham. Abraham's father died there. His father was very old and he could not bear the struggles during this journey. But Abrham did not get dicouraged. They started their journey further, and finally they reached the land which God had promised to Abraham.

By this time you might have noted that Abraham and Sarah were alone. They did not have child. But there was a promise from God that he will have a son and his Children will be inumerous like the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore.
This promise was given to Abrhaham some time back. Even though this promise of God was not fullfilled so far, Abraham did not get disappoined. He became more strong in faith. He believed that God can not say lie, God can not give false promise. It is the question of time. So God got his own time to act.