As we have been celebrating two great feasts of the Church - Feast of transfiguration of our Lord (August 6) and the Feast of translation of Theotokos (St. Mary, Mother of Christ - August 15) it will be certainly an additional blessing for us to reflect on the message and the content of these feasts for the total benefit of the faithful.

Though Jesus had so many followers, he selected twelve to be the Apostles and of them he selected three to be with Him to witness the great event of transfiguration. It is surprising to see that even St. Andrew who introduced or rather brought the good news about the Lord to his beloved brother St. Peter was not invited to witness this great event. So it is clear that even the late comers as it is mentioned in various incidents of the Public ministry of our Lord even the down trodden or marginalized are brought into the main stream of Salvationist history. Though some times we can claim of many things in terms of our closeness to the Lord or for the wonderful service to the Church and the society, we need not be recognized by the Lord. But on the other side even though there are so many stalwarts in the field of spirituality and Christian sphere, very simple people can be elected or selected to share His glory and receive His grace in abundance. So it should be our earnest prayers that we may also be counted among the three, who had the privilege of coming close to the transfigured Lord.

Also it is very exciting as well as trilling experience for any person to see that human beings are considered and accepted to share the thoughts of God Almighty, especially Salvationist action of our Lord - Moses and Elijah were brought to the top of the mountain to share the thoughts of Jesus, regarding the coming passion and salvation to the humanity through His death on the Cross.

As we reflect on the historic event of the translation of St. Mary it is so moving to identify the fact that deepest love and concern of Jesus had been continuing even at the time of the departure of Theotokos. It is so touching to acknowledge that Heaven itself is brought down to earth so that the bearer of the Lord was brought to Heaven by the Lord Himself in the company of angels and archangels as well as apostles and disciples who were brought together from the various parts of the world. This shows the great concern as well as the affection and the way in which God rewards. This shows how human beings are elevated to higher strata and involve them to build up the Kingdom of Heaven and impart His blessings to the rest of the world. Go is so eager not only to share His thoughts, extend His blessings, choose His people for unexpected and even unimaginable events and experiences, the bringing down of the heavenly realm gathering, together the disciples both living and the departed from the various parts of the world, all show the way in which God rewards and respects the human being who respond to His call, share the glory and serve the community. It is equally important for us to identify how God acknowledges even the smallest gesture commitment or contribution in his vineyard, which will be rewarded many times and who will be blessed to have more responsibility and greater positions in the Kingdom of God.

All this shows the love and mercy, concern and affection of God Almighty the very nature of God is to uplift us and make use of us for building up of His Kingdom and extending His grace and blessings through mortals like you and me. This shows the immense of possibility as well as intention of God Almighty to make use of us to be the shareholders in the Kingdom of God. Let us praise God Almighty for prevailing himself and His openness and great desire to transform us to taste the special package of heaven and heavenly experiences. Let us place ourselves for His views to build up His Kingdom as very useful instruments. Let us rededicate ourselves and His beautiful creation for His continuous intervention transformation and recreation. May God bless us - Holy Spirit guide us through out our future to be meaningful as well as useful for His glory.

H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos