This Lent, I had made a promise to keep the issue of faction fight
in prayers.
Prayers have great power, prayers can move mountains. We can find a
solution to the problems we have only through prayers. The reason
why we have not yet been able to overcome the challenges are perhaps
because of our lack of sufficient prayers and tears.
As we near the end of the Lent, I thought of keying this down.
The leaders and spiritual fathers on both sides should understand
that this is an issue that challenges our very Christian existence.
We have become objects of ridicule in our society.
Whatever be the long term solution to the issues - we cannot ignore
the other side as just outcasts or rebels or a bunch of trouble
makers. There are valid points in the assertions of both groups,
making the issues very complex.
Both sides must recognize that there is a need for a short term
solution while the long term solution is being worked on. (I hope
some good people from both sides having a strong will to end the
dispute is working on the long term solution). The short term
solution is needed because the Indian Church today has grown beyond
the shores of Kerala. We need to have a global vision and a global
outlook to problem solving today. The nitty gritties of family feuds
in Kottayam are of no interest to the growing generation in the
diaspora. The people at Devalokam and Puthenkurish no longer affect
the day to day activities of the church in a growing section of the
faithful. The leaders must wake up to this realization or face the
danger of becoming irrelevant.
A short term solution can be - encourage the faithful to interact
and have communion. Remove the stigma of mutual 'excommunication'
that has been done in the past by both factions. Whether in the long
run we are united as a single Church of Malankara or decide to
remain as separate Churches, the fact remains that we are of the
same Oriental Orthodox family which has traditionally had communion
with each other.
In the interest of the growing generation, pass a joint resolution
to have joint Holy Qurbanas and encourage unity and interaction in
the spiritual activities wherever this is relevant and possible.
While the leaders work their way for the solutions, have the vision
to keep the youth and the children focussed on the spiritual unity
we have in Christ. We have much better relationship with the
Protestants - what a paradox!
Just some thoughts as we come to end of the Lenten season.
Regards,
Mathew Samuel, New York.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/15829
in prayers.
Prayers have great power, prayers can move mountains. We can find a
solution to the problems we have only through prayers. The reason
why we have not yet been able to overcome the challenges are perhaps
because of our lack of sufficient prayers and tears.
As we near the end of the Lent, I thought of keying this down.
The leaders and spiritual fathers on both sides should understand
that this is an issue that challenges our very Christian existence.
We have become objects of ridicule in our society.
Whatever be the long term solution to the issues - we cannot ignore
the other side as just outcasts or rebels or a bunch of trouble
makers. There are valid points in the assertions of both groups,
making the issues very complex.
Both sides must recognize that there is a need for a short term
solution while the long term solution is being worked on. (I hope
some good people from both sides having a strong will to end the
dispute is working on the long term solution). The short term
solution is needed because the Indian Church today has grown beyond
the shores of Kerala. We need to have a global vision and a global
outlook to problem solving today. The nitty gritties of family feuds
in Kottayam are of no interest to the growing generation in the
diaspora. The people at Devalokam and Puthenkurish no longer affect
the day to day activities of the church in a growing section of the
faithful. The leaders must wake up to this realization or face the
danger of becoming irrelevant.
A short term solution can be - encourage the faithful to interact
and have communion. Remove the stigma of mutual 'excommunication'
that has been done in the past by both factions. Whether in the long
run we are united as a single Church of Malankara or decide to
remain as separate Churches, the fact remains that we are of the
same Oriental Orthodox family which has traditionally had communion
with each other.
In the interest of the growing generation, pass a joint resolution
to have joint Holy Qurbanas and encourage unity and interaction in
the spiritual activities wherever this is relevant and possible.
While the leaders work their way for the solutions, have the vision
to keep the youth and the children focussed on the spiritual unity
we have in Christ. We have much better relationship with the
Protestants - what a paradox!
Just some thoughts as we come to end of the Lenten season.
Regards,
Mathew Samuel, New York.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/15829
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