MARAMON CONVENTION 2002

By Thomas Thomas

MARAMON CONVENTION SPEAKERS:

Valsan Thambu

Dr.Philippose Mar Chrysostom

Dr.Joseph Mar Iraneous Saffragan

Geevarghese Mar Athanasios

Geevarghese Mar Thiodasious

Issac Mar Philaxenos

Rev.T.A.Koshy(Manager)

The 107^th Maramon Convention inagurated by Dr.Philipose Mar Chrisotum Metropolitan at Maramon, Kozhenchery.The one lakh capacity pandal at sand bed of Pampa was flooded with full crowd to hear the spiritual messages.

In his inaugural speech he extended his sincere thanks to the initially to the God Almighty and then to the crowd and Govt.services who helped the smooth functioning for the last 106 years. He said this should not be a repetition of past conventions., a new transformation to be developed in us that, work for others not for us. Those who are not having the basic rights in our society should be helped by us by rejecting our rights. . We will have to ask by us who am I? Only God can teach us who we are? It is simple. We are God's sons. When God's life entered in man he alive. Now man destroyed that. God created man in this world for a lot of meaningful things. Have we fulfilling His wishes? Where is man now? Now man become hard minded and not soft cornered. Let the man become man that should be the aim of this convention. The transformation to be started from right now. We should enter in Christ ways and ideas.

Earlier in his presidential address Dr.Geevarghese Mar Athanasios said that the leprosy of sin embedded in us should be cleansed through the continues contact with Jesus Christ and follow his words.

Rev.Dr.Martin Alphonse of Delhi, attending the third time for this convention delivered the keynote message and he expressed his happiness for repeated invitation to participate in the Maramobn convention.

His topic was "Confessing Christ Today".

Jesus asked his disciples who do people say I am? What are people say about me? Some said prophet, some Aliah.

But if we answer this question what will be that? He is a leader of a religion, but he is a above all leader. He is more than a moral teacher. He is the symbol of sacrifice but more than the symbol. He is the only one incarnation.

Who do you say I am? Jesus asked his disciples. You can answer because you are always with me. Therefore I want to know do you know me? The disciple Simon Peter said you are Christ, you are the son of living God. Jesus appreciated that answer." Blessed are you Simon" "Iam going to build my Church on you and will give you the key of kingdom of heaven.

If Jesus asked us what will be our answer? Since we have studied Bible and attended Sunday school classes we know how to give the correct answer. But "Confessing Christ "is not that, it is as per His will and wish to be lived.

 Again Jesus asked could you bear the sufferings of me? Mathew 16; 22"Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happened to you!" Peter was not willing to His sufferings, but he was not knowing how to live as per the wishes of Jesus. John 6; 54f"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at last day". His disciples did not understand this. John 6:66,67 "From that time many of His went back and walked with Him no more" Then Jesus asked His disciples Do you also want to go away? But Peter answered Him" Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" Here also Peter said the correct answer. But he was not knowing the correct way of living. Mathew 26;31f"All of you will be made stumble because of me this night for it is written…….."Mathew 26; 33 Peter said, "Even if all made to stumble because of you I will never be made to stumble" But after that what happened we know.

We fail to live as per His wishes.

Mark 8; 34"When he had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross ,and follow me". It is an open invitation from Jesus. If anyone who like to follow Him, decision is yours. He is not compelling you. He is just inviting.You have to take the decision ,no need of asking anyone. You, You only can decide whether to follow Him with cross. You have yourself to Jesus Christ.

What is Conversion? Conversion is not the conversion of external to Christianity. It is required inside the Church. Are you converted? Are you willing to follow Him with cross? Willingly, intentionally, wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ.

What does mean by follow with cross?

 It is to follow with cross of love, sacrifice.

It is the will of Jesus Christ.

It is to forgive others

It is to bless those who curse you.

It is to help for the troubled.

Are you ready to follow Him carrying the cross?

Always giving attention to self-interest. Self-interest will guide to corruption and life of immoral

. Once a Journalist asked to Mother Theresa. "Why you come to India after sacrificing your life? Her answer was "Jesus Christ".

Once an American tourist went to a clinic of Calcutta. He noticed a sister nursing to an old man. That old man was brought from the dirty streets of Calcutta. Foul smell from the old man was coming out and his wound was oozing out. The nurse was cleaning his wounds and dressing him. The American tourist shocked and said to the sister," I would not do it for 100 million dollars. "Sister said "neither would I do except for Jesus Christ". Blessing Christ of life means loosing life for charity and gospel mission.

If we gain al the property of the world what will be the use if we loose our soul? Alexander the great when dying asked his soldiers extend his hands through the hole of the coffin without keeping anything in his hands. Soldiers asked why? Alexander said, "Alexander brought nothing not taking anything back" What a profound wisdom came very late to him. Are we ashamed of Jesus Christ? If not take up the cross and follow him.

Text Psalms 121.

            Psalms is the beautiful songs in the Holy Bible.

The Psalms; 121 is very attractive to our mind and heart. .

"The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand."God speaks to the author of Psalms, The author of Psalms speaks to the world.

 The 121 Psalms starts with " I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? "

But when we reach to the 3^rd ""He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber". Lord is my keeper this was written from centuries back but now also it exists.

Luke 18 and 19. Jesus Christ was traveling to Jerusalem through Yerihove.Jesus Christ listens the people who was sitting at the street,He was giving lecture to mob,and a lot during that journey to Jerusalem.Through Christ we understand that whatever written in the Old testament become true.

Again to 121 Psalms, when I lift my eyes to God I can feel that God looks on me.            Luko.18; 35 - 43 Jesus gave sight to a blind man. The blind was begging when Jesus passes he looked towards Jesus and He gave him sight. We should approach to God and look to His eyes for clencing our sins and through that we also will be blessed by the sight of God.

The Lord shall preserve your soul.

What is the reality of this world? .

 Troubles are increasing day by day. Knowingly we guide a lazy life. In this pilgrimage we should not be broken with troubles. We must live as per the will and wish of the Lord.When we look up to Him we get Insight. 

            Luk.;15;20"And he arose and came to his father.But when he was still a great way off,his father saw him and had compassion,and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him".This indicates the Gods far sight here,the old man see his son from far a distance.            Even if we are sin the God Almighty can not leave us away. Still chances for salvation is there.Come back with confession.

MONDAY FEB.18, 2002 2.30 P.M. SPEECH BY DR.VALSAN TAMBU:

In the afternoon convention of Maramon Dr.Valsan Tambu delivered spiritual message. He was quoting from 18^th chapter of St.Mathew beginning with a judgement by Jesus Christ.For.example we says "Truly I say unto you"

Who is the greatest in Kingdom of heaven? Despises asked Jesus Christ.This is a question to Lord Jesus one who is having no place to given to sleep but Jesus in His reply He point out a child. In answer to the question who is great? He shows a child in the history of the world. We must be a child in a society, we may be great and enlightened in high position, but that does not matter. We should be a pleasant child in the lap of Jesus Christ.God's children are humble and we should be like those inour sacrificial life. It is not our body that is dead by sin but our childhood .By sin we have lost our childhood, our beauty, our all wealth and pleasure. The life would be a burden to those in every circumstance that had lost their childhood.

 At present the world acts cruelty towards children. Children are always suffering in the world of grown up people. Many were dead during the reign of King Herod.When childhood was lost in man world became dark.

 Liquor is harmful.

Smoking is harmful.

The child hates both this, but the grown up likes all this.

Jews expected a Savior Christ but the mob killed Him.The world which looks for peace and proclaim for peace heaps deadly weapons. We aim for Church union. But it is left an oasis in the desert.

 The disciples in the world of grown ups asked, Who is the greatest? The children will not ask this. This question is irreverent in the kingdom of God.The sphere of religion the grown ups creeps to the world of children but inspire of this we should be like children. This is why differences are developing in Church..We should understand that the grown up are entering in the world of child.

You should turn and be act like a child.

What is the content in that? If you want to enter in the kingdom of God we must find out answer for this. What was the intention of Jesus Christ behind this question. The Christ's spiritual truths is not that difficult to understand. But this is implementing by children only. We grown up, What we are doing? Joh. 4; 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" Again John 4; 25 "The woman said to Him"I know that Messiah is coming"(who is called Christ)"When He comes, He will tell us all things". Here we find difficult to grasp it, but after seeing Jesus Christ her mind transformed to a child and she understood the meaning of that.

The Holy Spirit of God is the soul of the child. The other languages are the languages of happiness for children. In the 18^th chapter four points are shown, What is the Spiritual Childhood?

            1.You should let down you like a child.

 In the world children are not showing any obligations to the rich and power of the world. In the time of King Herod there was no value for children. Jesus Christ is the King of Kingdom of Childhood.That kingdom is with love, sympathy, mercy, So we should try to understand the truth what we are viewing through the eyes of children

            2.The child base relation and reactions.

 In the present world we are loosing the behavior for the acceptance of others like children. Jesus Christ accepts to Him all without any discrimination. The Holy Spirit is embedded in the body of a man. If we do any harm to anybody we are cheating the Holy Spirit embedded in us.

            3.The importance of sanctification.

 The child never permits to loose his sanctification. This will make distance from God if he loose sanctification..Whatever be the problems to be faced we the true son of God will never allow dirt to his mind. Those who accept evils in their mind will never get satisfaction. When the world of grown up operate with profits, children world will function with mercy.So we should try to involve us  in all as a child mentallity.The country and the world will be saved if our mind act as a child.

DATE: 18.02.02 - MONDAY TIME: 7.00PM

 SPEECH BY Rt.Rev.Thomas Mar Themothios

Mathew 15; 28

            Then Jesus answered and said to her "O, woman great is your faith! let it to you as desire".And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

            The Church has selected 'formation of faith in new century' as the subject of this year. Faith related subjects are important in the present time. There are people who can't face the facts of life. When religion are trying to make man correct, the continuity of his life getting struck somewhere.

Is the influence of religion making difference in man today? Is there any relationship between faith and lifestyle? The faith of man towards faithful God is called faith. Our ancestors were having solid faith. They handed over that to their children. But today are we doing it? The Church trying to pass it on to their believers, but now the interest has come down.

VISUAL EXPRESSION

            The influence of visual media is more now. So faith should have the visual expression. This should pass to children from parents, leader to sub ordinates. Jesus Christ shows the faith through visual expression. 

1.Faith is in depending or trusting

When the Canaan lady approached Jesus Christ to heal her daughter, He initially hesitated. But after her repeated requests Jesus turned to her and compared her with little dogs. Even after the lady was constantly requesting and Jesus says to her " O, woman, great is your faith!"

We can see the same solid faith in Old Testament .The faith of Abraham is an example.

2.Faith is in relationship

Faith is the relation of man to man and man to God.

Luke 19; 1 - 10 explains Zacchaeus life. Through illegal way of earnings and immoral life the life of a lot spoils in society. But the relationship with Christ renews their life.

Luke 19; 8,9 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,"Look, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by also accusation restore fourfold". And Jesus said to him,"Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham" After noticing his will of spending money to poor only Jesus had given salvation to that house. Today relations are spoiling because of wealth. Selfishness also loosens the relations. We should see the visual expression of faith through relations.

3.Faith is in Attitude

Luke 7; 1f After seeing the centurion's faith " I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" Jesus admitted his attitude.

a) Attitude to others

Here we can see the request to heal his sevant."But say the word, and my servant will be healed ". This shows the attitude of love towards the lower grade of people in society.

b)The Attitude of others to us

The elders of the Jews had given good comment about the centurion. We may tell about us is good but what others will tell about us?

c)Attitude of not eligible

The centurion was an authoritarian man. But he knew that he was not suitable infront of Jesus.We should check whether the top people of our society are having this quality?

d)The Attitude towards Jesus

`           "But say the word, and my servant will be healed". The centurion's attitude towards Jesus shows here. Jesus Christ admitted his attitude. The visual expression of faith is the attitude.

4.Faith is doing action

Mark 2; 1 - 10

Here explains the healing of a paralytic, by Jesus Christ.The paralytic was carried by four men, and they were not from group presented there. Those who presented there for the preach pretended not seen the paralytic. Similar persons are there in our society also.

"Whenever they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof of the room and lowered down the paralytic to Jesus". They had shown their faith through action. Jesus admitted that. When we respond the need of others, our faith can be proved. The serving region of Church is the visual expression of faith. We are spending lavishly, knowingly that poverty and sufferings are existing still. We are not ready to help the poor. Faith should have hand and legs and also eyes. The help to the needy is the visual expression of faith. We were discussing about faith through visual expression in depending or in trusting, in relationship and in attitude. But all these are not getting completed here. We should show faith of life through visual expression. Let God tell us also 'great is your faith'. We should be the owners of real faith.

Mathew 15, 21 - 28 "Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sido.And behold, a woman of Canan came from that region and carried out to Him, saying,"Have mercy on me, O, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon possessed. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying"send her away, for she cries out after us". But He answered and said, "I was not send except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Then she came and worshipped Him saying,"Lord, help me! ". But He answered and said "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs". And she said,"Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table"Then Jews answered and said to her,"O, woman, great is your faith! Let it be to as you desire"And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

We have to think now whether the God's people have stepped back .The changing human with wealth and health is not thinking about spiritualism. Spiritual growth is required today. Communal terrorism and revenge is increasing .It is difficult to the society to build up a peaceful atmosphere. In these circumstances we should travel to a solid faith and belief.

The above Bible quoting indicates, from 1st century a problem was there in the Church.

Was the Christ only for Jews?
If that is so Christian Church would have been a part of Jew Community.
Christ for all the needful, St.Paulose clears that. The wealth of Jews was opened by Christ to all. In that way others can also get an opportunity to call Abraham as their Father.This could not be agreed by Jews friction of the same can seen in this Bible quoting.

 For the relief and treatment of her daughter she approached Jesus Christ.She called Him as "Son of David!"Jesus was initially not interested in her requests. Then she approached His disciples. Then Christ started to talk. He was telling" I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Disciples understood immediately.

 Jews could not entertain Canan's at that time. But she was repeating her request. This lady is an example of solid faith. Jesus Christ was not ready to listen her request. He was acting like Jew of 1st century. But that lady's continuous request changed His mind. This Canan lady should be a model to us of prayer and faith.

 The transformation happened to Jesus Christ because He was Son of God.Christ is contacting us always. Here we can see that a change can happen to a friction at any time. There is an example of the same in Old Testament.

 Israel people were murmuring in the desert for food. God desired that they would believe in Him.But, Moss came and passivated the situation of tension between God and Israel.Here God sent Moss to have the word with Israel people.

 If Christ can change His mind and attitude why can't we? The Canan lady forced to change the mind of Jesus Christ through her continuos request.

  The meaning of live like a human means necessary changes to be adopted in our life. The growth in faith is the growth in Christ.We should segregate well and bad, accept well only. If we change our attitude we will also heal from any type of disease

DATE 19.02.02 TUESDAY TIME 7.00PM

Speech By Isaac Mar Philaxinose Episcopa

Luke 3; 7 - 14

Trouble and sufferings are increasing day by day to this world. This is not a new problem, it exists from the beginning. That is why prophets and Jesus came to the world. Every time we can see a faith full section in our society among majority. In God's presence a small society can change the majority. Lot stayed 20 years at Sodome, but no change happened to that place.

The above referred Bible quoting explains regarding John the Baptist very big message was with him. John was giving baptism and a lot was gathered. They understood the necessity of baptism. The Pharisees and Sadducees also came to baptize. John said to them"Brood of vipers!" (Mathew 3; 7). He asked them to" bear fruits worthy of repentance". Repentance is required. Fruit also is required. A good society requires both fruit and repentance.

What is Repentance?

Turn to God, know the God and understand God is called repentance. We should reject whatever is against God's will and if we respond to this, presence of repentance is there. This should be possible at all times through our mental strength.

What should be done for repentance?

a)We should move to the presence of God with confession

Come back to God. With confession go to Him.Everybody made lost their spirituality by doing sin. We should transform to a new man from this situation and for that confession is required.

b) Crucify your selfishness

This world is with full of selfish people. Jesus removes this selfishness. We can see competition everywhere. Therefor a transformation is requiring to this. Jews were proud about Abraham as their father. This proud is an obstruction of transformation. John 8; 31f explains this. Jesus replied"Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin"Again Jesus said,"If you were Abraham's children you should do works of Abraham"The people who came to baptize from John was asked by him to be a new society. What should be done with this repentance? We should give result. Along with the baptism with renew energy we must bear fruit from our life. Therefore we must travel along with God to the world. The transformation of the world is a big responsibility. God had given that responsibility to us. We should participate in that. We should gain the world for Jesus Christ.Is the relationship with the society is love based? Then in that society love based serving is required.

Towards Salvation

God offers salvation. John the Baptist said about the salvation from sin. He was mentioning the salvation is only through Jesus Christ.The relationship with God measures your salvation. The Zacchaeus's incidence is an example of this. We can get the salvation through the contact with God.

Fr.Damien stayed and worked along with leprosy patients at Hawaii Island.But he got disappointed and was about to go back since the duty as he wished was not successful. That time he came to know that he also was got affected with leprosy and afterwards other inmates also joined with him for the rest of his work.

The same way Jesus Christ incarnated to the world and crucified for the sinners of the world. Therefor for salvation, we must turn to God and get repentance from Him.

The people came to John the Baptist asked to him 'What they should do? John was giving exhorting at that time"He has two tunics, let him give to him who has none and he who has food, let him do like wise"Here it shows we should help the poor and weaker of our society. Tax collector asked "Teacher what shall we do?"John said, "Collect no more that what is appointed for you". This means a non corruptive society to be made. Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying,"And what shall we do?"So he said to them,"Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages"We should line as per the will of God.In the present time how can we be a true believer of God, we should be lived along with God with repentance. Share to poor and weaker sections. We should turn to God to transform the world through repentance