From the desk of Vicar……..

   Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ,

 

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

 

We are in the Lent Season, remembering the passion and suffering of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. Lent urges to renew the commitment to God and to participate in the suffering  of the people around us so that they may experience God’s love and liberation.

Cross is God’s choice to redeem humanity and the salvation that it brings is not only for individuals but for the whole created order. Through his cross Jesus transformed life and reconciled the world to God- self. Human selfishness and greed cause alteration and destruction of the world which God found ‘good’. The tree and its fruit in the garden of Eden became silent objects of Human deceit. Jesus by choosing the way of the cross overcomes the temptations of the world. Thus he transforms the wooden cross, a symbol of shame, to a sign of glory. It also demonstrates his willingness to obey his father and the ability to deny the self for the life of many.

The risen Christ who stands before his disciples is the one who is suffered and died on the cross. The wounds on his body had become or outcome of his suffering for the world and for all humanity. These wounds could signify the sufferings of humanity and they can become the ones that could heal the wounds or brokenness of the world.

The disciples are often reminded of having wounds in their ministry. They are called to a ministry of healing and revitalization of the world through suffering. The discipleship therefore is a costly commitment, which could bear the fruits of renewal and restoration of many who are in the periphery. It also calls for disciplining in accordance to the plan of the master. This demands commitment and complete surrender to Christ and God’s mission.

The Church is called to carry on the mission of the Lord, who gave his life as a sacrifice. The various mission initiatives and charities in the church are bearing fruit because of the commitment of the faithful members of the church. I appreciate all of them and continue and keep it up. Lent prayers are going on with 50 members attending and for 40 days, 40 different members are giving the messages.

For the Easter Sunday, we are blessed to have the presence of our beloved Metropolitan, I welcome Thirumeni on behalf of the Staten Island Marthoma Church. We are honored  to hold the Diocesan council in the end of March and the Diocesan Episcopa Thirumeni is here for 2 days and I welcome Thirumeni to our church.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish prosperity and happiness to all those celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversaries this month. Wish you all the blessing s of a wonderful Easter!!!

May God continue to guide us so that our lives may be a blessing to others.

With Easter Greetings,

Yours in Christ’s Love,

 

Rev. Baby John