We all are aware of the mega event in our parishes called "general
Body". I am a novice in this having just made my second appearance
in the famous event, but I am sure most of you are well aware about
the happenings there - the charged emotions, the dramatic outbursts,
the words used that should never be used by a Christian, much less -
within the Holy Church, the petty issues blown out of proportions,
all in the name of God! Irrespective of the parish, such scenes are
somethings that are common throughout our church - this
commonness "unites" us in an innately evil way!.
I have seen the Indian Parliament Sessions on TV - and was appalled
by the commotion and chaos - but I see a real parallel to that in
our general body sessions.
But I also know that it is a necessary evil (well, the meeting itself is a
neccessity - but the approach leaves a lot to be desired) - so what do we do?
My suggestion is - change the time when we should have the general
body. It makes no sense to street fight over however important
issues right after Holy Qurbana. The Managing Committee in the
parish is a smaller version of the same street fight, but thankfully
I have not had to experience it - so I don't really care when you
have it - but I need to voice my opinion about the general body -
because I have to sit through it (or maybe soon I will get wiser and
bunk it!)! So - how about holding the general body on a
Saturday? "No" comes the popular opinion loud and clear - "Who has
time to come on a Saturday for this? Sunday is the only right time!"
Hey then I have a better idea - Hold the General Body on Sunday -
but lets not have Qurbana on that day - lets hold the Qurbana on
Saturday or on a weekday - when the General Body is on Sunday! Hey
come-on, its not that bad! - Dont think of it as though a Devil's
plan has succeeded by upstaging the Qurbana from its slot - we need
to worry about only 2 days at most in a year - Think about it - in
any case, we do have Qurbanas on some days during the weekdays too
on special occasions - where there is only Achen and one or two
people - these two days can also be like those special occasions -
after all - it is too naive to think that a "general body" is not
special. And sincerely - do we really care about the Qurbana?
So we can have Qurbana on Saturday - and on Sunday, we can come
after breakfast - that way we can be all charged up for the big
event - have a small prayer followed by the usual
charismatic "general body". All can participate wholeheartedly, then
go back with the satisfaction of having made your point, and stood
up for your rights in the much awaited "General Body"!
Mathew Samuel
Austin,TX
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/5979
Body". I am a novice in this having just made my second appearance
in the famous event, but I am sure most of you are well aware about
the happenings there - the charged emotions, the dramatic outbursts,
the words used that should never be used by a Christian, much less -
within the Holy Church, the petty issues blown out of proportions,
all in the name of God! Irrespective of the parish, such scenes are
somethings that are common throughout our church - this
commonness "unites" us in an innately evil way!.
I have seen the Indian Parliament Sessions on TV - and was appalled
by the commotion and chaos - but I see a real parallel to that in
our general body sessions.
But I also know that it is a necessary evil (well, the meeting itself is a
neccessity - but the approach leaves a lot to be desired) - so what do we do?
My suggestion is - change the time when we should have the general
body. It makes no sense to street fight over however important
issues right after Holy Qurbana. The Managing Committee in the
parish is a smaller version of the same street fight, but thankfully
I have not had to experience it - so I don't really care when you
have it - but I need to voice my opinion about the general body -
because I have to sit through it (or maybe soon I will get wiser and
bunk it!)! So - how about holding the general body on a
Saturday? "No" comes the popular opinion loud and clear - "Who has
time to come on a Saturday for this? Sunday is the only right time!"
Hey then I have a better idea - Hold the General Body on Sunday -
but lets not have Qurbana on that day - lets hold the Qurbana on
Saturday or on a weekday - when the General Body is on Sunday! Hey
come-on, its not that bad! - Dont think of it as though a Devil's
plan has succeeded by upstaging the Qurbana from its slot - we need
to worry about only 2 days at most in a year - Think about it - in
any case, we do have Qurbanas on some days during the weekdays too
on special occasions - where there is only Achen and one or two
people - these two days can also be like those special occasions -
after all - it is too naive to think that a "general body" is not
special. And sincerely - do we really care about the Qurbana?
So we can have Qurbana on Saturday - and on Sunday, we can come
after breakfast - that way we can be all charged up for the big
event - have a small prayer followed by the usual
charismatic "general body". All can participate wholeheartedly, then
go back with the satisfaction of having made your point, and stood
up for your rights in the much awaited "General Body"!
Mathew Samuel
Austin,TX
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/5979
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