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| FEBRUARY 2003 | ARCHIVE |
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For us today, only deaths due to cross-border terrorism matter. We are callously apathetic to deaths resulting from State apathy that outnumber by far the victims of terrorism. At the root of the culture of terrorism is the tacit assumption that human life is a commodity to be played with in a political game. There can be absolutely no religious justification for terrorism of any kind. |
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More and more people continue to succumb to the cold wave. Living human
beings are freezing into lifeless statistics. The count till yesterday
was 150. It is anybody’s guess what the final toll will be by the time the
season ends. But who cares? Given the victims - the poor who survive
precariously at the best of times - why should anyone care? If not by
cold today, they will die tomorrow by heat or hunger. Barring a few
exceptions, the victims of communal riots too belong to the same socio-economic
bracket. It is citizens from the same segment, more or less, who lay down their
lives to defend the country. It is time we reckoned the politics of death. For us today, only deaths
due to cross-border terrorism matter. We are callously apathetic to deaths
resulting from State apathy that outnumber by far the victims of
terrorism. Surely, not a single Indian life should be lost to terrorists; and
terrorism must be not only ‘crushed’ but also rooted out. At the root of the
culture of terrorism is the tacit assumption that human life is a commodity to
be played with in a political game. It is all right to butcher innocent,
defenseless human beings to drive home one’s political or communal
point. Such an assumption is bad enough in politics. It is utterly repugnant
in religion. There can be absolutely no religious justification for
terrorism of any kind. The concept of jihad is irreligious nonsense. The basic
spiritual insight is that human life -not some ideology or religious
establishment- is the ultimate value. It must be not only defended but
also cherished, enriched and celebrated at all costs. Terrorism is, hence,
an outright insult to the essence of religion; and it needs to be
eradicated. But, does right to life entitle citizens to protection only from
terrorists? Is death by terrorism worse than slow and prolonged death due to
starvation or cold? The moral high ground to fight terrorism must be derived from
an uncompromising commitment to protect life from every threat that
imperils it. A culture of mindless and murderous aggression, that sacrifices
citizens for political ends, does not mix well with postures of indignation
against terrorism. That is not all. Deaths due to cold or starvation should be deemed a
darker blot on the Sate than the tolls of terrorism. They are predictable and
preventable. We know who the enemies, and where the victims, are. We
have the resources required to avert these tragedies. But nothing is done,
and the toll continues to rise. That leaves us with only one inference: we
have no intrinsic value for human life, unless it is embellished by caste or
class labels. That is why five Dalits in Jhajjar can be brutally ill
treated and lynched to death, allegedly for refusing to bribe policemen, and
this barbarity can be dressed up in communal costumes. The same message is
writ large over the fate of Sergeant Bapi Sen, the 37-year old Kolkota
policeman, done to death by his own colleagues for doing his duty on New Year’s
Eve. For the same reason, locks remain intact on go-downs even as people
starve and die, and experts busy themselves debating whether they died of
famine or malnutrition! They are too wise to know what even children see
instinctively: that malnutrition is inevitable in famine.
We have just had a housewife convicted under POTA for not reporting on
her husband’s involvement in the conspiracy that presumably led to the
December 13 attack on the Indian Parliament. She has been sent to jail for
omission, not for commission. She did not do, in other words, what she should
have done. Shall we, then, extrapolate to the State the self-same principle?
Surely, it is a sound moral principle that you are judged and condemned
by your own norms? Shall we say, then, that deaths due to exposure and
starvation amount to economic terrorism, State terrorism by default? The devaluation of the life of the poor is the single most blatant blot
on Indian democracy. The equal worth of all citizens -“one-person-one-vote”- is
the basic creed of democracy. It is not only during election times that this
principle should be remembered. It needs to be activated as the shaping
principle of our democratic culture. If not, Indian democracy could
degenerate into de facto oligarchy sooner than we imagine. It is in
this respect that the anti-democratic genius of the pro-rich and anti-poor
ethos of the “globalization-liberalization-privatization syndrome” assumes
epidemic proportions. It is not only politics, even religion seems to be taken over by the
rich. God appears to be no longer a friend of the poor. He is assumed to be
obsessed with the rich and the powerful and happy to be monopolized and
manipulated by them. That, at least, is the impression that religious
leaders in this country create at present. They are too busy haranguing
their gods to extract maximum concessions and benefits for their rich
clients who can buy their services at will. Sadly, the more politicized
religion gets and the more communal politics becomes, the more
apathetic administration tends to be to the crying needs of those who are
languishing on the edge of mere survival. This is a loud indictment at once of our
religiosity and political maturity. As a nation, we are losing our capacity for righteous indignation,
which is a clear pointer to the erosion of our sense of justice and compassion.
At the same time, every trick in the trade is being employed to whip up
jingoistic sentiments. Desh bhakti is being defined narrowly as
intolerance towards dissent and differences. Why doesn’t love for India include
intolerance, we wonder, towards corruption, poverty, illiteracy,
organized barbarity and other signs of backwardness? Why should hate, and not
compassion or harmony, be a more authentic expression of religiosity
today? This may seem to go well for a while; but it is sure to corrode the
very foundation of our collective life. By patronizing communal politics and
overlooking callous governance, we encourage and reward misrule. That
way we wield a double-edged sword the other edge of which is reserved for
those who flourish it today. The poisoned chalice, as Shakespeare says, will
return to plague its inventor. Enunciating and propagating a culture of
compassion and fellow feeling that transcends all barriers and religious labels is a
fundamental democratic and spiritual duty. With every Indian citizen
who succumbs to cold and hunger, light fades out on the soul of India; and
no amount of communal bombast can hide this national bankruptcy.
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'I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.' Let us realize and recognize that the good Lord has given us His own Spirit, as a gift to live within us and with us, so that we can grow into that experience of being one with our Savior at all times. |
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"My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For what is life? to me, it is Christ; death, then will bring more." (Phil 1:20-21) Letter to Philippians was written when the apostle Paul was in prison. Church at Philippi in the Roman province of Macedonia was the first church Paul planted on European soil after the Macedonian call.
" For me, to live is Christ" summarizes the purpose and pursuit of apostle's life. Before his well-documented and life-changing conversion on the way to Damascus, Paul's life was entirely different and diagonally opposite to what he defined and expressed the goal of life as given above. Once the apostle knew the truth that Jesus is the living Son of God and the long waited and expected Messiah, he set apart his entire life for the gospel of Christ, and to live and die for his Master and Lord.
In Acts (Acts 20:21) apostle Paul said " I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the good news about the grace of God." In the same letter to Philippians, Paul describes all the so called right things he did as a true and dedicated Jewish teacher and religious person, all the Jewish glory and privileges he had; then he says, for His sake, I have thrown everything away; all I want is to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death (Phil 3;1-11) In his second letter to Corinthians, apostle gives a list of his sufferings for the sake of the gospel and then says "if I boast, I will boast about the things that show how weak I am! (2 Cor. 1:16-30)
Apostle Paul dedicated and sacrificed his life to preach and teach the good news of Jesus Christ, to plant and maintain many churches in Asia Minor and Europe; he worked hard day and night, traveled around in different cities and villages, earned his own livelihood, never claimed to be superior to anybody, always ready to defend the gospel truth through speeches and inspired letters; he never had the glorious illustrious titles and laurels of the church leaders of later centuries, and finally succumbed to the Roman sword as the tradition says. What a magnificent life worthy to be imitated! How many of us could say, " For me to live is Christ"?
In almost all the letters of apostle Paul, we can find the common expression "in union with Christ Jesus;" it is Paul's signature-expression. His own life was truly one with Jesus Christ like the branch is one with the vine as the Lord taught us through His famous parable of vine and branches (John 15:1-17). Because Paul was always one with our Lord, he was not afraid of suffering and dying for his Master and Lord. Actually he says in Phil 1:23, " I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ."
Christian believers, let us pray to the Lord to help us to grow into this glorious and joyful state of realization that " for me to live and die is Christ." Let us realize and recognize that the good Lord has given us His own Spirit, as a gift to live within us and with us, so that we can grow into that experience of being one with our Savior at all times.
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Baptism came as the climax of Jesus’ preparation for His public ministry. It was the public declaration of his decision to enter into his ministry. Through this most effective public and symbolic action Jesus manifested his purpose of coming as man to this world. |
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"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’.” (Mark 1: 9 -11)
In presenting the life of Jesus Christ, none of the Gospel writers have forgotten to include his baptism. All of them speak about John the Baptist's preparation for the coming of the Messiah. And they all relate how he baptized people with the baptism of repentance in the river Jordan.
As John was doing that, there came to him the very same Messiah for whose coming he was preparing the way. John was telling people how important it was for them to turn away from their sins. He asked them to repent of their sins and prepare their hearts for accepting Christ and His Kingdom. But here comes the One in whom there was no sin, the One for whom there was no need to repent. Matthew says how John himself was astonished when Jesus came to him to be baptised: “I need to be baptised by you,” he said, “and do you come to me?” (Mt.3:14).
What was the need for Jesus to be baptised? That must have been a puzzle for the early Church, and that is probably why Matthew has included this dialogue between John the Baptist and Jesus. And this is a question which we ourselves might find difficult to answer. Jesus answered John, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness”. What does that mean? Why was Jesus baptised? What was the significance of baptism for Jesus? What does it tell us about our Saviour and His work for our salvation?
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Baptism came as the climax of Jesus’ preparation for ministry. It was the public declaration of his decision to enter into his ministry. He had spent about thirty years in that preparation. At the age of 12 he was already determined to be in his Father’s business. We do not know much of what happened between his visit to Jerusalem temple at the age of 12 and his baptism at the age of 30. But we could very well assume that during all those years he must have been living in close communion with God, seeking His will and learning to obey Him. And finally he came to the point when he decided to launch out upon his task. That was certainly not an easy decision. He knew the implications of that decision. He knew that it would cost his own life. Yet he submitted himself to his Father’s will and purpose.
Jesus heard that John was baptising; that he was calling all Israel to repentance urging them to bear fruits of righteousness. Obviously that was the most appropriate time for Jesus to declare to the world his intention to serve. He had decided to serve humanity and to help them in their quest for salvation. He would do it at all costs. He did not want to do it secretly. He wanted the people to know it. So he took a decisive step along that line. He could not turn back. Here was the supreme moment. Through this most effective public and symbolic action he could let the world know of his intention. So he came to John and took baptism. |
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Secondly, Jesus’ baptism assumes significance from the fact that it was a ‘baptism of repentance’. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. But Jesus had no need to repent of sins. Are we then to suppose that it was a meaningless act as far as Jesus was concerned? Why was Jesus baptised though he had no sense of guilt? The answer is that this became the supreme moment of his identification with the sinful humanity. He was in full sympathy with that whole movement which John began - a movement toward God and his righteousness, a movement of conversion.
The new age is now dawning. The Spirit has started moving people to God. A new awareness was being created of the need to turn from evil and turn to what is good and righteous. This is precisely the moment for Jesus to show his complete identification with the sinful humanity. He does not want to be an outsider trying to suggest ways of improvement. He does not want to keep aloof. He wants to begin from where the people are. So his baptism at this moment reveals the deep feeling within his heart - a longing to be one with the sinful humanity.
We read that soon after his baptism the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Thus the identification was not merely in theory, but in actual life. As the author of the book of Hebrews says, he is one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb.4: 15). Why do we believe that Jesus is able to help us, to give us victory in our life? Precisely because he became one with us. He identified himself completely with us. And so he is able to help us. |
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Thirdly, we read that when Jesus was baptised and was praying (cf. Lk. 3:21), the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form. As recorded in the Fourth Gospel, John the Baptist bore witness and said, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit’.” (Jn.1: 32?33).
What does this tell us? It tells us that baptism signifies not only his own commitment and decision, not only his identification with the sinful humanity, but also his empowerment by the Holy Sprit. Whatever he was going to do was not his own doing, but what God himself was doing in and through him. He was not to rely on himself. In fact we read how throughout his ministry, and on every day of his life, he spent so much time in communion with his Father. He knew that only with God's power he could fulfil his ministry. He was constantly being girded with God's power. He was always being renewed in strength. He needed to be equipped with spiritual energy from the divine resources.
It also reminds us that if Jesus, the Son of God, had to rely so much on the power of the Holy Spirit, how much more have we to. We too must rely on the Holy Spirit if we want to carry out his ministry. We are in this world to continue Christ's ministry, and he has given us his Spirit; he has promised his help and guidance. But do we really feel the need to wait upon him, to receive his power and be equipped for our task? |
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Finally, at the time of Jesus’ baptism, a voice came from heaven, which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased”. This was a very real personal experience of Jesus. God himself was speaking to him, in a very personal way, in a very intimate way. The two parts of this statement are found in two different passages in the OT. The first part of it is found in Ps.2: 7. Jesus, being the Son of God, receives the approval of his Father for what he was going to do. His baptism became the occasion when he was assured that what he was going to do was acceptable to God. The second part of this statement, “with thee I am well pleased” must be understood in the light of a passage in Isaiah ch.42. That passage speaks about the suffering servant of God and the way the servant becomes acceptable to God through his suffering.(Is.42:1). So it reminded Jesus of the fact that it was only by fulfilling his ministry as a suffering servant that he could do what was pleasing God. Not that suffering in itself is good. But the fact remains that God's confrontation with the sinful humanity always involves suffering and pain. Jesus was prepared to suffer for our sake. He showed his love through his suffering and death on the cross. His love was genuine because he was willing to love at any cost. And so, let us thank God for the way he has accomplished salvation for us. Let us thank God for the decision and determination of Jesus to be faithful to his mission. Let us thank him that he has identified himself completely with us and suffered and died for us. We ask God to help us to follow the steps of Jesus, and we renew our commitment to him. He will strengthen us by His Holy Spirit to carry out our mission. Let us by his power serve him and all his children in love and seek to do His will. |
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HOW DO WE KNOW THE BIBLE IS REALLY FROM GOD? |
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Taken together, the Bible presents a single, unified message of actions and attitudes by which man can live. To have sixty-six books written by about forty authors, from kings and nobles to fishermen and soldiers, in three languages and on three continents, that are of the same mind is just not humanly possible. |
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INTRODUCTION: |
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It would be completely accurate historically. ·
It would not be prone to scientific error or false beliefs
held by the people of that time. · It would present true, unified answers to the difficult questions of life. · It would be widely distributed so man could attain it easily. · It would be preserved through time without corruption. |
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Let us examine both the Biblical and non-Biblical evidences to determine the authenticity of the Bible.
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ONE MIND BEHIND THE BIBLE:
Bible is a collection of different documents that were written over one and a half millennium, that are devoted to discussing the most controversial and emotionally charged topics man has known. The incredible thing is that they all agree. Taken together, the Bible presents a single, unified message of actions and attitudes by which man can live. This is an unprecedented feat. To have sixty-six books written by about forty authors, from kings and nobles to fishermen and soldiers, in three languages and on three continents, that are of the same mind is just not humanly possible. |
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OLD TESTAMENT - VALIDATED BY SON OF GOD:
Jesus Himself validates the Old Testament by regarding it as the word of God and authoritative in all things. In fact the whole New Testament validates the Old Testament. |
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BOOK OF FULFILLED PROPHECIES:
The Bible stands alone as a book stuffed with prophecy. It is the very heart of Scripture. The Bible is unique from all other religious texts because it gives specific, detailed prophecies that were fulfilled just as written. Let's look at a few prophecies to demonstrate their precision. The coming of the Jewish Messiah is the focus of the Old Testament. There are over 300 separate prophecies about the "Holy One of Israel" found there. They are so specific as to predict the city of Jesus' birth (Micah 5:2), His nature (Isaiah 7:14), His works of healing and miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6), His betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13), His suffering (Isaiah 53), His style of execution (Psalm 22) and His resurrection (Psalm 16:10, Acts 13:35) amongst other things. These prophecies were written anywhere from 400 to 1000 years before Jesus' birth, yet they describe His life with the accuracy of an eyewitness. The odds against a living person meeting even a few of these predictions are so astronomical it is considered impossible. |
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Let us examine both the Biblical and non-Biblical evidences to determine the authenticity of the Bible.
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MOST WIDELY DISTRIBUTED:
Any message from the Creator would have to distribute His message to a wide audience. The Bible is next to none in this test. It is the most published book in history, with the widest distribution of any published work. It has been translated into more languages than any other book. It is the most sold book in history. It was the first book published with moveable type. It is still the #1 best seller of any book. Now, none of these feats prove that the Bible was inspired. They are, however, consistent with what we would expect of God's message if He were trying to let us know about Himself and His plan for us. |
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NEVER OUT-OF-DATE:
Although written hundreds of years ago, the Bible remains the most up-to-date book available today. Books on every subject have to be replaced because they become out-of-date so quickly. But the Bible has never had to be revised. |
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HISTORICALLY ACCURATE:
Because ancient writing surfaces were natural in their origin, they could decay easily. Papyrus, clay, and animal skins of the Old World did not have an incredibly long "shelf life". Therefore, we do not have any of the original documents (called autographs) that the Biblical authors wrote. However, we do have copies of the originals (called manuscripts) and can compare them to discern what were in the originals, and what wasn't.
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ARCHAEOLOGICALLY PROVEN:
Archaeology has also borne out the reliability of the Bible. Everywhere the archaeologist searches, he uncovers discoveries that bolster, not refute support of the Bible as being a true account of history. Wiseman stated over 25,000 sites mentioned in the Bible have been found. Archaeological digs have uncovered a stele dedicated to Pontius Pilate. |
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DIVINELY INSPIRED:
There is no valid reason to believe that the men who wrote the Bible were lying or trying to deceive. The New Testament particularly shows that the character of the writers was beyond reproach. Each of them suffered and was executed because they would not recant their position that the teachings of the Bible are true and accurate. If their testimony was made up for gain or folly, surely someone would have renounced his stand to save his life, but it did not happen. All the apostles and the writers believed unwaveringly that the Bible was absolute fact.
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SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE:
A set of documents having their origin in the All-knowing God of the universe would not be prone to scientific inaccuracies. If we are to believe that the Bible came from the same source that created the world, then is logical to assume it would not mis-represent the mechanics of the world. Only the Bible contains none of the scientific absurdities that are found in all other ancient religious writings.
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CONCLUSION: |
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Prayer is the breathing of the soul .It is the only key that can open the gates of Heaven. Repentance and tears influences the gatekeeper to open the doors of the Infinite Heights. The Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments commence with the glorification of God. Glory to God on high always is the lip service that is expected from us. |
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Prayer is the breathing of the soul .It is the only key that can open the gates of Heaven.
Repentance and tears influences the gatekeeper to open the doors of the Infinite Heights (Lk.7: 38). "...Call for the elders of the church and let them pray over them, anointing with oil...and the prayer of faith will save the sick man...The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects"(Jas.5: 14-16). Any one can pray but the prayer of the righteous will have the accessibility to God." We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshipper of God and does his will, God listens to him."(Jn.9: 31). The prayer of a hypocrite and a repenting sinner makes a great difference. (Lk.18: 10-14). There is a litmus test as a proof whether the Lord has forgiven our sins or not. Firstly we have to forgive the sins of others, otherwise," My Heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother."(Mt.18: 35; 5:23-24). Jesus is a living example as He is the paragon of all the virtues. .
JESUS' LIFE STYLE: WHAT TO PRAY: Our earthly needs are not to be listed to God for your Father knows what you need before you ask him (Mt.6:8)."You cannot choose the best, the best will choose you" as St.Paul puts it rightly in. Cor.4: 7.The listed prayer in the true sense for earthly gain is not a prayer, but bribery offered to a righteous Judge. The unrighteous and unsuitable plea will be rejected by God, at the same time the listening Prince of Darkness standing beside him may grant him bitter pills with sugar coating (1.Jn.5: 19;mt.4: 9) so that he may be able to destroy his prey later. (2.Cor.11.14; Mt.7: 15). An ideal and true Christian's life is externally like a funeral procession carrying the crosses and yoke of righteous sufferings and Christian struggles, reflecting the life style of Jesus, His parents, prophets, and Apostles. (1.pet.2: 11), yet gathering inner strength for the onward journey of continual catastrophes (Acts.23: 11; 21:11; 2.Cor.11.26-29). It is obvious that most of the Christians are apparently led astray with the blessings of the equivocal powers as the diabolical forces grant our daily demands. As God hears only a righteous man's prayer, a Pharisee's entreaties are likely to be rewarded by the predator of the gloom. Any rigmarole is not a prayer. Seemingly there is a hierarchy of Heavenly hosts to transmit our prayers to God (Rev.5: 5-14; 8:3-5). The afflicted man's prayers to God, sent by the angels (Mt.18.10-11) through the saints, are passed on to 24 elders (Patriarchs and Apostles) and 4 living creatures. They pass the golden bowl of incense prayers of the saints to the Lamb, who only is allowed to take the scroll from the Father. The prayers of the saints include for rescuing mankind from the grip of the devil and making a kingdom and authorizing priests to reign on earth for our God. Reciprocating our prayers, God the Father entrusts the H. Spirit who broods over the church perpetually to bestow the blessings upon the repenting person (LK.11: 13). Christianity is a social religion. Our worship mainly centres around the church rituals and its mission. The saints incense the prayers of the clergy and the flock (1.Pet.2: 4-10;Exo.19: 6) and transmit them to the Father through the elders, 4 living creatures, and the Lamb. The 4 living creatures through their 'Amen' do the acknowledgement of the prayers. An individual's prayer also likely goes through the same channel. The prayer that started by imbibing the Spirit of God comes back to the same source with manifold effects. Any prayer apparently is a cyclic e-mail circuit; it may reverberate back to the sender at any point in course of its journey unless received favourably at the other end. The gospel messages and the ecclesiastical authority to execute them are exclusively given to the Apostles and their successors (Mt.21: 21-22; 18:15-20; Jn .20:21-23), not to the flock as is supposed by some stray worshippers. The delegation of power of the Heavenly hierarchy is also reflected in the parable of the wedding feast (Mt, 22:1-14). He who is able to receive this"(virgin heart -Mt.19: 12) only is allowed to pray or preach in the church (Jas.3: 1). Real prayer is the glorification of God. We are created in place of the fallen angels for the worship and exaltation of the Lord. The psalms are written under the promptings of the Heavenly hosts .If children ask for bread to their father, the loving father gives it only for their daily survival. Food is the only item included in The Lord's prayer for the sustenance of the body. Jesus took bread as an example like Manna that can be preserved in good taste not more than a day. Literally speaking, we are not permitted to put a plea for anything other than the minimum quota of our daily food; if given in abundance chances are there to misuse and desecrate the name of the giver as well as destroy our own health. Some critics think that the daily bread is a reference made for His own body (Jn.6: 51). Remember, gluttony is a sin. The true prayer essentially may mainly focus on two things. The first one is to praise the Eternal Glory and His ever-lasting love for creating mankind and the redemptive scheme of restoring us on above (Rev.4: 8-5:14) The second one is to beseech Him, without being diluted by hypocritical means, to protect us from the shaft of the evil one and extending thanks to God for caressing us till now from the snare of the dark powers, or asking for forgiveness for being an accomplice of the infernal guard. (Lord's Prayer). DAILY PRAYER: As the sophisticated man' prayer is fragmentary, chaotic, irregular and need based, it is better to follow a routine prayer for each watch written by great saints and religious stalwarts who used to sit physically at the feet of the Savior through penance and fasting. We don't have the inner yearnings as our past sages had natural settings and setups to plunder the shores of the ocean of mysteries. The emotional outbursts of the unrighteous become a vehicle of the equivocal delusions of the abysmal tyrants. Silent prayer is the best answering machine (1.Sam.1: 12-18). Every man is an island continent; God only knows the intensity of His relationship between His each creatre. The church has organized 7 watches for our daily prayers. The saints' supplications centre on the glorification of God's name and His everlasting love towards humanity. Such prayers are conducive for our social survival. While we are repeating those prayers they have composed, they also may pray with us to potentate their entreaties for their ascendancy (psl.115: 18; Rev.15: 3). But parroting and babblings, without cerebrating upon the meanings, is a service rendered to the fallen angels. (Mt.6: 17) .yet the vibrations of babblings with occasional concentrations are likely to create some positive effects because the yogi's art of outright concentration is attained and bestowed upon to a limited chosen ones only. Although there are severe shortcomings in the routine prayer styles, the unprepared prayers by the majority lead us to a state of spiritual anarchy and emotional outbursts focusing on the need based hysterical utterances. As the flow of nerve currents is interfered with during the emotional state of the mind, the mental disturbance thus caused will be exploited by the evil sprits. For family and public prayers, a set prepared sung worship will equip everybody to take part in a harmonious and melodious way, in tune with the melody of the angels. Whatever are the media the celestial experience is felt only at a time when our physical senses are locked up (Mt.6: 6) for our spirit to be in communion with the Lord. Life is not circumvent only with the open prescribed prayers of 7 times daily .In order to keep away from the temptations of the diabolic one,' pray constantly' (1.Thess.5: 17);"Pray at all times in the Sprit"(Eph.6: 18). Each routine daily prayer is buttressed and concluded with personal mental or open prayers. Jesus also warns us to have prayers always so as to enable to escape from the wicked one of the world (Lk.18: 1-8). We should always pray for others to start of with; selfish prayers end up going nowhere and doing nothing because charlatanism is the propeller that directs us all along our life. MODE OF PRAYER: Knowing meticulously our frame well, God draws the repentant weaklings to His side for restoration (Lk.18: 4). Purity of heart is a precondition for the budding and flowering of our prayers, yet one who asks for forgiveness and forgives one's brother may pave the way for cleansing the heart by virtuous means. Hence reconciling with our brethren is the stepping-stone and subsequent chain prayers may lead us on tololeditor@yahoo.com the path of salvation. Such sinners, like St.Augustine, Mary Magdalene have the zigzag road for stepping up the ladder of sainthood Meditation, fasting, ecstasy; temptations and trance are the parts of such gigantic processes. Anyway, there has been no ready-made saint in the pages of history. In a nutshell, the Fatherhood of God is budded only when the brotherhood of man is frutioned in its full measure. The purity of worship and unblemished service rendered to fellow beings, without being diluted by hypocritical means, is the ultimate test by which God measures the worth and sincerity of a person (Sermon on the Mount). Prayer is a fragmentary rehearsal of fulltime adoration and exaltation of God, together with the myriads of celestial beings, into the ever-continuing Eternity. The consummation of the age comes to maturity only when every fallen angel is substituted with saints who could sing the Eternal Glory of the King perpetually. There is no set time for prayer; every moment is meant for it. |
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STATURE OF MATURE MANHOOD: HUMILTY: Despite St Mary had no ecclesiastical role to play, she became the Mother of God, the Mother of priestly and kingly rode (LK 1:38). She grew to mature manhood by dedicating herself as the handmaid of God (LK1: 38). Transformation into full celestial manhood through humility, like Adam and Eve before the fall, is the treasure one (man and woman) can earn (Mt 6:20) by continual struggle and Christian sufferings while sojourning in the earthly plane. Unmarried people are endowed with the gift of manhood by being with the hosts of Heaven. "Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her"(LK10: 42). There are two ways of growing to mature manhood; firstly, either by being at the feet of the Lord or by "bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty"(2Tim2:15)
Just as Christ is the head of the church, man is the head of the house. Therefore, she is barred from representing the family in the House of the Lord." He for God, and she for God in him." "If there is anything, they desire to know let them ask their husbands at home"(1 Cor14:35). Thus, a woman is not a pawn; she only accomplishes her complementary function as a faithful partner. "Woman is not the undeveloped man, but diverse"(Lord Tennyson). She is not the head but the body, the cradle for the multifarious art of sucks and suckles. While deciding the cut off points in the process of salvation, it is likely that an ideal wife may score more points than her husband (LK12:48) on account of her complex complementary responsibilities, as inscribed by Nature into her delicate system. St Mary is the exemplary figurehead of an ideal womanhood and humanhood.
I'm fully aware of the erotic and exotic cultural revolutions that have led mankind astray to a point of no return, between the deep sea and the devil; it is therefore my duty, like many others, to convey the normal moral and natural bygone human standards, so as to keep sanity in our vivid venue of social and inner lives. These are only some theological exegesis; owing to want of space, the practical vexations in enjoying the equal opportunities in all walks of parish life by women may be published in the ensuing part two section. However, it is to be taken into account that the age of feminism can't have a long span due to the fact that which is unnatural can't stand against the test of time.
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The Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians every year for listening to the Word of God expounded by eminant Christian orators all over India and abroad. Prayer and worship at the convention accompanied by song service is a wonderful experience for every participant. |
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The Maramon Convention is the one of the most pre-eminent assembly of Christians made every year for the proclamation of the Word of God expounded by the panel of eminent international and local erudite Christian orators . The Maramon Convention, organized by the Mar Thoma Church Evangelistic Association, is reported as one of the largest Christian conventions held anywhere in the world. Preaching, Singing, Bible Study, Intercessionary Prayers, Conferences etc. are the predominant features of this Asia's biggest spiritual meet.
The Maramon Convention is being conducted every year since 1896 on the vast sand bed on a wide stretch shore of river Pumpa, below the Kozhemcherry bridge, usually in the month of February when the river bed is dry. Maramon and Kozhenchery are 16 kilometers east of Thiruvalla, 13 Kilometers from Pathanamthita and had been recognized as places of ancient Christianity influenced culture. About a week before the convention, the vicinity of the venue becomes a scene of great activity for the preparation of the Pandal wide enough to accommodate about 80000-10000 people constructed bamboo poles. Huge crowds streamed across temporary bridges and sandbag walkways come to the Pandal for hearing the Word of God from all over India and abroad. It is a phenomenal scenery that around 100,000 people gathered in hot and humid weather in a hot dry sand of the Pamba River to hear of Lord and to sing for Him. All the people well attentively participate in the singing and listen to the religious reading and discourse sitting under this temporary shelter of thatched coconut palm leaves . Convention is normally scheduled during the month of February March and is for a duration of 10 days, when the sand bed become dry to accommodate the sea of humanity.
It is an occasion for listening to the Word of God, preached by Evangelists of the world renown and eminent exponents of the Bible. People from far and near look forward to this great annual event. The convention normally attracts a crowd around 1 Lakh people.
Translators are arranged for the foreign speakers. Intercessonary prayers are conducted for the sick, needy and suffering every day of the week. Holy Communion is given at the last day of the convention at Marthoma Church at Kozhenchery.
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May I be saved by thy promise, May I be able to answer the ones who Insult Me. I know I will never be defeated of my trust in You. |
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My Hope Lord, Is in your Judgments. May I be saved by obeying your laws. I know I will never be put to shame. |
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Obeying your Commands, I love and respect thy Commandments, May I be able to mediate on your instructions. |
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Bible Word to by heart:
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish |
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BIBLE STORY - OLD TESTAMENT |
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When Haman found that Mordecai is not giving any respect to him he become furious and ecided to destroy all the Jews who were the people of Mordecai spread over throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. In the first month of Nisan and the twelth year of the reign of King Ahasuerus, Haman told to the King that 'there is a group of people scattered in his country who are diffrent from the main stream people and do not obey the laws of the country and hence all these people are to destroyed. Haman bribed to get the order from the King with ten thousand talents of silver. King Ahasuerus replied Haman the 'Let the Silver be Yours, and the people also are Yours and you can do to them as you like.' So haman ordered a decree in the name of the King and the sent orders to various provinces of the Country. The couriers ran to all the Provinces and served the Order of the King. TO BE CONTINUED |
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THE CHRISTIAN LIGHT OF LIFE |
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