A Christmas Message

Friends,When the Creator chose to become the Creation,who all were invited for the event?Just a few shepherds and the wise men.The sheep and the animals in the manger were blessed enough to bepresent there.But the Levites, the tribe of priests chosen by God were not called.The High Priest was not told about it.The teachers of the Law were ignored.The powerful, rich Saduccees were not invited.I sometimes wonder why an angel did not appear in a vision to theHigh Priest at that time to announce the Saviour's birth.That couldhave given Christ more acceptance in the Jewish society.But Christchose to come without informing His chosen people.Strange are theways of God, indeed!!In our world today,when God chooses to reveal His ways again, will we be told abt it?Will we be called?Will the Malankara Orthodox Church and all its clergy and laity,and all the people who sacrificed so much for the Sabha case, andall the rich ones who donated a lot for the Church,and all the poor sheep who follow the Faith blindly,and all the stonch "Orthodox" worshippersbe invited?Hope we all have a good case to plead for ourselves on that day.Merry Christmas to one and all!!Yours in Christ,MathewQueens,NY.

A discussion on Faith

Faith/Are You Saved?
Dear all,Mr.Oommen Kappil aptly referred to this question as the Notorious Question.Here's what Rev.Fr.Mathew Vaidyan has to say on this topic -reproduced here for the benefit of all -(Reference- "70 Questions Answered" - Rev.Fr.Mathew Vaidyan)[The same answer was given by him in a video cassette brought out by the Martha Mariya Samajam of the American Diocese a few years ago.]We can understand the Biblical answer from the following verses:Ephesians 2:8:For it is by grace you HAVE BEEN SAVED, through faith--and this notfrom yourselves, it is the gift of God--(here salvation is shown in the past tense)1Cor1:18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us WHO ARE BEING SAVED it is the power of God.(here salvation is shown in the present continuous tense)Hebrews 9:28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but TO BRING SALVATION to those who are waiting for him.(here salvation is shown as a thing to happen in the future)So salvation is not a matter of the past alone that can be achieved through any single act, but it includes the present and the future ,and u got to "grow into it".Rev.Fr.Mathew Vaidyan mentioned his intention to publish the book in Malayalam and give it off free to our Churches in Kerala."Iniyum Ithu Paranju aarum sabha vittu Pokaruthu" said Achen.Hope and pray that this noble mission is accomplished.In this age of various forms of assaults of false teachings both from inside and outside the Church, it will be advisable to learn from such books.Other such books that come to mind are"40 Questions Answered" By Osthathios Thirumeni."The Mirror Of Apostolic Faith"which is the translation to English of the book -"Annamayum Pastarum"(Translation to English by E.S. John) which depicts a lady of Orthodox faith, Annama , who in every chapter answers the questions posed by her friend pastors.Luv,Mathew(Queens/LI,NY)Moderators' Note: '40 Questions Answered' as mentioned by Mr. Samuel is one ofthe excellent reference books everyone should keep. This book's translation is available in Malayalam also (with 50 questions answered). 'The mirror of Apostolic Faith' (written by Rev. Fr. K. Geevarghese, Anchal) also is a good reference book well received especially because of its conversational style and wonderful expression of true faith.These two books and other books by renowned authors are available for purchase at the MGOCSM Student Centre near CMS College, Kottayam, and at the Church book Store at the MD Commercial Centre, Kottayam and other stores.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/1406

Faith, Long Dead and Buried?

Dear all,

The following is from a sermon I heard a few yrs ago.Once there was a famine in the land, the Achen urged the believers to fast and pray for the Lord to show mercy and send rain.In response to this call, the believers started fastings, prayer meetings and conventions. Soon stories were in the air abt the devout believers fasting and singing and praying and crying out to the Lord nights and days together. They seemed the greatest believers ever born. Yet, there was no rain. One day, after the Qurbana the old Achen said to the believers "Sonsa nd Daughters in Christ, you have prayed and fasted and cried out to the Lord,May God bless u for it. Tell me, how many of u have brought umbrellas for the rain??" The people started looking around. Nobody had thought of bringing an umbrella.(An umbrella for the rains in the famines - Crazy?!)

After a long time, a little girl came forward and showed Achen her little umbrella. She said"Here Achen, I have brought my umbrella, so that I do not get wet when my Jesus sends rain." The little girl had taught the 'devout believers' a great lesson in faith that day. None, except her, ACTUALLY believed in the power of their prayers. None, in spite of all their actions, had the conviction that Christ can answer their prayers and bring rain.

The Bible reminds us - Hebrews 11:1

...."faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen.

Matthew 7:20

"...For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you
will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' andit will move; and
nothing will be impossible to you."

Matthew 18:3

"...Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Pray, friends that we have the faith of the little girland not of the 'devout believers'.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/1116