Great Lent #05 - 11/03/2011

Sin

Yesterday we read about Confession. If we commit a Sin we should confess. But What is Sin? What does it mean to Sin? How does the Bible portray it?

The Greek word translated "sin" in the Bible is an interesting term. It, (hamartano), literally means, "to miss the mark."In shooting an arrow from a bow, if your arrow flies beyond the target or falls short of it, if it veers to the right of the target or to the left, you "miss the mark." If in our lives we go beyond the will of God, doing things God has said not to do; if we fall short of the will of God by not doing things commanded by God; if we veer away from God's will, doing things for which we have no authority; we "miss the mark" or SIN. As John states in 1 John 3:4, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." Sin is lawlessness. God has revealed to us His law or will. The Bible is the final authority on sin and its consequences.

In the Old Testament Sin signifies simply what is unacceptable to God or even to humanity. However, in the New Testament anything wrongly related to God is Sin as St. Paul said in the Romans: “But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is Sin.”

How Can We Judge if Something is Sin? Many sins are spelled out plainly in the Bible. The Ten Commandments give us a clear picture of God's laws. They offer basic rules of behavior for spiritual and moral living. Many other verses in the Bible present direct examples of sin: Proverbs 6:16-19; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Apart from that What all can be classified as Sin? Mark 3:29 says, "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.

Let us not “MISS the mark” atleast in these 50 days, Let us follow the Commandments! May God accept our Prayers and Fast!

Great Lent #04 - 10/03/2011

Confession

Once the Great Lent days start our Parish Priests’ keep on telling about the Holy Confession (Mal- Kumbasaram) before 40^th day of the Lent. Syriac Orthodox Church believers should confess atleast once in a year. But is that something which we should do only once in a year?

Our Holy Fathers teach us “If we feel we have committed a sin, we should confess it as early as possible to Priest and should not repeat it.” There are so many principles which flood in the new generation churches. Let us try to learn something about Sin and Confession.

Adam and Eve committed the first sin. Entire human’s immersed in it. We are born in Sin and we belive it is cleansed at the time of Holy Baptism (Ref: Holy Creed, Roman 5&7). God gave us free will so that we can differentiate evil and good.

Holy Baptism cleanses us from the Birth Sin and Confession is continuation of Baptism. We get back to our Lord through Confession. We sign an agreement through confession (John 20:2). Jesus sends his disciples to all over the world as representatives of Christ. We confess our sin to Priest, who is representative of Christ. (John 20:23, Mat 16:19, 18:18)

Great Lent #03 - 09/03/2011

Fasting / Lent

Our Forefathers often compares Human life as ‘Two Faced’ one. It is the conjunction of two aspects – ‘Eternal’ and ‘Physical/ Transient’. We are in middle of two faces. Just below Angels and above Animals.” Human beings have free will to fight against the evil. Whenever we go close to evil, we stand near to animals and if we control ourselves from the physical wishes we approach angels.

We live in a world where we tend to do more evil and less good! We are more attracted to the world than the eternal life. Lent / Fast always lead us to God and the eternal world. Jesus Christ himself showed us how to fast. If Christ fasted for 40 days then how much we should do to cleanse ourself from the bad deeds we do every day. Our Prayers often reminds about the importance of Lent. “Lent saved Daniel from Lions! Lent saved Peter from Jail!”

Lent in Canon

1. Apart from Holy Saturday (Sat after Good Friday) we should not observer fasting.
2. Should not observe Lent from Easter to Pentacost
3. Old People, Pregnant ladies, sick, Babies can be exempted from Lent with Prior permission of Priest.


Compulsory Lent in Canon

1. 25 Days before Christmas
2. Ninaveh Lent
3. Great Lent
4. Fast for the intercession of the Apostles (June 26-29)
5. Fast for the intercession of Virgin Mary (August 1-15)
6. Every WEDNESDAY (Jesus Christ birth in St. Mary)and FRIDAY (Crucifiction of Christ)

Great Lent #02

Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important Lent in our church. We, The Syrian Christians observe several fasts / Lents throughout the year. Nineveh Lent for 3 days, 25 Day Lent before Christmas, 8-Day Lent in September and so many as Non Mandatory and Mandatory. What is the purpose of every Lent?

Do we have any guidelines in Holy Book about Lent? We are not able to figure out the origin of Lent. When it was practiced first? Early on, Lent was a time of preparation for those about to be baptized at Easter. Or Lent is a time of soul-searching and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. Lent has been observed in different ways at different times, so it is hard to say when it started.

Moses took a lent of 40 Days and Night for the Tables of the Covenant. David besought God for the child; and David fasted and lay all night upon the earth. Ester before going to King, asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for her, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: She and her maidens fasted in like manner. Nehemiah sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and prayed before the God of heaven “we have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.” After ten days of fasting Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's dainties.

Some took Lent to examine heart and confess sins. Some others observed it as time of spiritual cleansing and renewal. What ever reasons they observed the Lent, and in whatever ways they observed, God showered his blessings unto them finding their Lent was divine and holy.

Let us observe this Lent keeping 3 major points in mind.

1. Fasting - Give up something for God. Fasting is not a means to “earn” something from God, but rather a way to learn to curb your appetites and focus more completely on God.

2. Prayer and Meditation - Read over the Gospel accounts of our Christ, his suffering. Reflect on His suffering, and the tremendous love that it represents. Reflect on your own sin and what it cost Him. Take out some time for prayers of confession and repentance. Do some spiritual “house cleaning.”

3. Giving to the poor - Use the money that you save by not eating to help the poor.

Morning Prayer of Great Lent says "Those who are away from sins, those who observe lent wholeheartedly are blessed. They always stay near to our God. " Again it says "There are people who fast from food, but have a cruel heart. There are people who don't drink, but kill s his own brother."

Rise up from where you are now! Take this lent as the most rigorous one. Let he forgive us and bless us.

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro - February 19

Mor Yulios Elias Qoro (1881-1962) was the Patriarchal delegate to Malankara. Elias Malke Qoro was born in Mardin on August 1, 1881, and studied at the school of the Church of the Forty Martyrs there. He joined Deir al-Za`faran in 1902, and became a monk on 16 June 1905. Elias was appointed secretary to Patriarch `Abded Aloho II in 1906, and was ordained priest in 1908. He accompanied the Patriarch on a trip to Jerusalem, Istanbul, London, Paris, Egypt, and India, from 1908 till 1911. In London, he met King Edward VI twice and dined at his table. He became abbot of Deir al-Za`faran in 1911, and was appointed director of its printing press. Elias was consecrated bishop on 23 Sept. 1923 in the Church of the Forty Martyrs by Patriarch Elias III, with the honorific title Yulios, and was appointed to serve in Malankara. He became a Patriarchal Delegate to Malankara in 1927. In 1932, he established Mor Ignatius Dayro on the burial site of Patriarch Elias III in Manjinikkara. He also oversaw the establishment of a few monasteries and churches in Malankara. He died in 1962 while serving in India and was buried at Manjinikkara Dayro.

Mor Yulios was one of the foremost masters of the Beth Gazo melodies. Patriarch Ya`qub III, who studied under Mor Yulios in Malankara, later produced audio recordings of the Beth Gazo that remain an important learning resource for the clergy.

Ref: http://manjinikkaradayara.org

I am the light of the world!

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

The earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (Gen 1:3). The first place we read about Light in Holy Bible. In the days of Creation God found that it was good. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; named him Adam. But serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. Serpent convinced the woman. Adam and Eve committed the first sin. Their eyes opened. They fled from light, hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden.

Mankind started running away from God that day. We all suffer from different sort of tensions and stress. We have darkness in our hearts and mind. The light which was passed is taken away completely.

Baptism is the first sacrament for every Syrian christian. Through Baptisim, we are welcomed to our church. In the prayers of Baptism there is a portion where the priest delivers the oath. It says to Satan/ Devil “Don’t come near my son of Christ, Go to darkness the place where no one lives”. Even though we hear / listen that we don’t understand darkness is place were Satan should live, not us. We run to darkness along with him.

Job: 24:13. “These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof.” We do the same.

In our Holy Fifty lent prayers we pray “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Still we think we can run from him!

Light from Sun is same. But same light that makes plants grow, hardens clay. The response is completely different. Like wise blessings are.

Jesus tells “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.” John 12:46. We are called Christians. Meaning we follow Christ. If we belive food is good to take away our hunger, our hunger wont go. You should have food, then only your hunger will go away. Like wise you should follow him in all ways. Try to see good things with the eyes which he has give. Hear good things. And do good things for his glory.

World is becoming dirty and filthy each day by day. We live in the same world. We are going to celebrate HH Ignatius Elias Third, The Patriarch Birthday tomom (Oct 13th). I remember one story told by HH. HH was coming down to India in ship. Along with other crew members HH was sitting in deck watching the ocean. He called his nephew who was the captain of the boat. Asked him how ship is moving? He answered because of water. HH asked him to put a hole in the ship so that the water come inside.

Everyone was puzzled, but later came to know it was a great lesson. HH was telling them about the filthy world. We are living in this dirty world, but we should not allow all dirty things come inside to make us impure.

When we are getting tempted, let St. Ephrem’s word give us strength. “I was hunger, but then I remembered about the glory and happiness which you give for the people who starve, praise you without fail and stayed away from my food”. Let us also keep this in mind. May the prayers of St. George and HH Elias give you more strength.

God bless!

August 6 - Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

Church Celebrates August 6 as "Koodara Perunal" or "Marurupa Perunala" or Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. A short note compiled about the Feast!

August 6 - Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event in which Jesus is transfigured upon a mountain (Mount Tabor). (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). Jesus became radiant, spoke with Moses and Elijah, and was called "Son" by God. It is one of the miracles of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels. This miracle is unique among others that appear in the Gospels, in that the miracle happens to Jesus himself. Thomas Aquinas considered the Transfiguration "the greatest miracle" in that it complemented baptism and showed the perfection of life in Heaven. According to the Gospels, Peter, James, son of Zebedee and John the Apostle were with Jesus upon the mountain. The transfiguration put Jesus above Moses and Elijah, the two preeminent figures of Judaism. It also supports his identity as the Son of God. In keeping with the Messianic Secret, Jesus tells the witnesses not to tell others what they saw until he has risen on the third day after his death on the cross.