FOCUS April 2022 - 10th Anniversary Issue

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| P a g e F O C U S , A p r i l 2 0 2 2 , V o l . 1 0 , P a r t 2

2 | P a g e F O C U S , A p r i l 2 0 2 2 , V o l . 1 0 , P a r t 2

FOCUS, April 2022, Vol. 10, Part 2
Cover Photo Source Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud Express: ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ – 10th Anniversary Special
Issue, Cover Design by Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas
Contents
1. Editorial: Dr. Zac Varghese….……. Page 4 13. Living in Christ, Leaping in Faith: Lal Varghese, Esq.
………… Page 21
2. Book Review: ‘Glimpses of the History of the Christian
Churches in India’: Mr. George Thomas…… Page 6 14. Trusting in the Faithfulness of God: Dr. Anna A.
Panackal……... Page 23
3. Felicitation Message: Most Revd Dr. Theodosius Mar
Thoma Metropolitan……….. Page 7 15. Reflections on the attitude of gratitude: Revd Dr.
Valson Thampu……... Page 24
4. Felicitation Message: Rt. Revd Dr. Dr. Isaac Mar
Philoxenos Episcopa……. Page 9 16. God’s Great Faithfulness Amidst Worst of
Times: Revd Dr. Martin Alphonse....….. Page 28
5: Ebenezer Moments: Mr. O. C. Abraham …… Page 10
17. Great is Thy faithfulness: Professor Elias Abraham
6. Living with the Pandemic: Lessons and possibilities: .............. Page 29
Theme for July 2022…..... Page 12
18. Book Review: ‘Beyond Religion’: Dr. Zac Varghese
7. How Faithful is God: Mr. Chhotebhai.......... Page 13 …..…… Page 30
8. Felicitation to Revd Dr. Sham P. Thomas: Dr. M. J. 19. Tributes to Dr. T. John Samuel: Dr. Cherian Samuel
Joseph........... Page 15 ......….. Page 33
9.The Faithfulness of God: Dr. George Varghese………. 20. Tribute - Bishop Desmond Tutu.: Lal Varghese, Esq.
Page 16 ............ Page 34
10. Poem, Diaspora Focus: Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph……. 21. FOCUS Movement and FOCUS Journal: God’s
Page 17 Abounding Faithfulness: Dr. Cherian Samuel ……..….
Page 35
11. Everlasting Faithfulness: Mr. P. T. Mathew……..
Page 18 22. The Origins of FOCUS Journal: (Cover Pages of
FOCUS Issues Since April 2013), Lal Varghese, Esq.
12. The Fig Tee: Dr. Varghese Mathai........... Page 20 ……..…… Pages 32, 39

EDITORIAL
Great is Thy Faithfullness!
faithfulness. We begin to think that God has forgotten us and
The Old Testament (OT) has various stories of the abundant really does not care for our wellbeing and safety. In the midst
faithfulness of God and limited responses of mankind. The of our wavering, fickle faith, we need to remember the firm
Psalmist says, “For the Lord is good; His love endures assurance from Christ Jesus, “in this world you will have
forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn
(Psalm 100:5). The ultimate expression of God’s faithfulness 16:33). We have nothing at all to worry about God’s
is expressed by St. John, “For God so loved the world that faithfulness, but we should take care of our own faith in
he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him Jesus and the need to grow with an abundance and fullness
shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Faithfulness is of ‘in Christ’ experience that St. Paul experienced
related to ‘the Word’, truth, firmness and stability. In throughout his mission to Gentiles and wrote about.
response to Apostle Thomas’ question about Jesus’ destiny
– “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can We selected ‘God’s faithfulness’ as theme for the 10 year th
we know the way?” – Jesus replied, “I am the way and the anniversary of the FOCUS journal because we have
truth and the life” (Jn 14:5, 6). Therefore, faithfulness, love continually experienced God’s faithfulness in its publication
and truth are the very essence of God. and in our lives. We thank God for all those who have helped
in publishing this journal and all our world-wide readers who
All these attributes of God operate in conjunction, never in journeyed with us over the last nine years. How can we take
isolation. However, God is beyond all our imagination and comfort in the faithfulness of God and enjoy calmness and
intellectual exploration; He is the ‘more’, more than anything contentment when hard times hit us and the wells of well-
we can think of, and he is indeed a mystery. Whatever we being become dry? The way forward is to follow Apostle
know about God is through the life and ministry of Jesus Peter’s suggestion: “So then, those who suffer according to
Christ and the martyrs of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. It is God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful creator
through Jesus that we experience the love and compassion and continue to do good” (1 Pet 4:19). God has the power to
of God. In the OT, we often meet an angry and punishing carry out His plans in our lives and to accomplish His perfect
God, but God was and is faithful to all His covenants (Gen purposes through all our life situations, including those in our
3:16-19; Gen 9:1-17; Gen 12:1-3; Gen 22: 15-18; Duet 30:1- difficult areas of work and daily routines. Therefore, we can
10; 2 Sam 7: 8-16; Jer 31:31-34; Mt 5:17; Eph 2: 8-9). Some sincerely entrust ourselves to His care with complete
of the early covenants were specific to Israel, but they were confidence, and hand the safekeeping of our lives over to
binding to make them a blessing to all nations and people Him, believing that He will do what is needed. That is what is
through them. Israelites mostly failed to fulfil God’s expected from our part, the rest is with our Lord, our saviour.
covenants and claimed God to be their own to do things
they wanted Him to do. However, Jessus Christ came to fulfil God has given us His Spirit to live in us and help us, and the
the law of Moses and to create a new covenant between Holy Spirit will empower us. He has created us with a free
God and the whole of mankind. Humanity is now given the will by which we may choose to flee from the enticement to
opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift through the sin (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 2:22). But when we
self-less and loved-filled sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the live in faith to obey Him, God meets us there with His love.
Cross. God is faithful in helping us even in our unbelief. At the
moment of healing of the boy with an evil spirit, the boy’s
We sometimes go back on our words because we are
father says to Jesus, “I do believe, help me overcome my
unable to do what we are expected to do and responsible
unbelief” (Mk 9:24). This is our condition too; we need God’s
for; we fail to be faithful because we lose interest in things
help to reciprocate God’s love and His faithfulness. He is
that we started out with so enthusiastically and we begin
faithful in forgiving our sins and not remembering them (Jer
shifting to other areas of interest and move on to a slippery
31: 34); He is faithful in sustaining us through our challenges
slope in the process. Since God’s faithfulness is His
and difficulties. It is up to us to listen to His call. Revelation
essence, it affects everything He says and everything He
3:20 says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If
does. Several specific examples of God’s faithfulness to
anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in
Israelites are recorded in the New Testament as well (Heb
and eat with him, and he with me.” It is a mutual relationship
11). So, what is meant when the Bible says God is faithful?
and enduring hospitality. The painting by Holman Hunt at St.
Faithfulness has to do with being reliable, with fidelity,
Paul’s Cathedral in London beautifully captures Jesus, the
firmness, stability, trustworthy, true to one’s word and
Light of the world, as He stands at the door, knocking and
dependability. The Bible teaches that God is faithful in all He
inviting us to let Him into our lives. The handle to open this
does in accordance with His divine character. God is always
door is inside and we need to turn it to invite Jesus in. There
faithful to Himself and to mankind. God is unchanging;
is a song in the Celtic tradition that is spoken or sung as a
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb
door is opened to welcome Christ in for accepting His
13:8).
blessings.
How do we respond to God’s faithfulness in our daily
living? “This day is a new day that has never been before.
This year is a new year, the opening door.
It is when Suffering strikes our lives, COVID-19 Pandemic The door is opened.
and such disasters, that we are tempted to question God’s Enter, Lord Christ - we have joy in Your coming.

You have given us life; and we welcome your coming.” the people in Europe for welcoming millions of children,
women and old people who are escaping from the war zone.
People are fed up with empty political or religious promises. Let us hope for wisdom to prevail to find a settlement for
They want to see realization of these promises. God’s establishing peace and harmony.
covenantal promises are everlasting. Two years ago, the
Conservative party in the UK won a huge majority in the I take this opportunity to thank four members of the editorial
parliament on a ‘levelling-up-agenda’ to bring prosperity to team who left us on 31 of December 2021. Professor Titus
st
deprived areas of northern part of England to remove the Mathew gave us the encouragement very early on to begin
‘north-south divide’ of economic deprivation, but they have this publication and has contributed much for its growth; we
failed, though they have a convenient excuse through the are so grateful for his foresight and leadership. May God
COVID-19 pandemic; promises and projections have not continue to bless him with very good health and happiness.
materialized. This is also true with some of the claims of
church leaders to remove various aberrations in the life of We also want to thank Revd Dr. Valson Thampu for his many
church and as a result the influence of churches are fading, articles over the last nine years. He was also involved with
and large numbers of people are leaving churches. However, the FOCUS seminars, the forerunner of this publication and a
in spite of all these, the saints of our time such as the Late joint publication with his ‘Christian Mind Series for few years,
Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Archbishop before we started the FOCUS journal in April 2013. Although
Oscar Romero were prime examples of their commitment he is leaving from the editorial board, he has assured us of
and faithful responses to God’s faithfulness. I shall never his continuous support for this publication. We want to
forget the confidence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu when he express our sincere thanks to him. May God bless him in his
expressed his faithfulness to Jesus in the following way: “I manifold activities to establish God’s kingdom values on
pray each day, I talk to Jesus, I live with Jesus, I want to earth.
learn from Jesus. Jesus and me are always together.” His
was a life well-lived-in faithfulness to God, which helped him
Dr. Jesudas Athyal also had a connection with the FOCUS
to create the ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ in South
seminars. We also express our gratitude to him for his advice
Africa to avoid bloodshed after the abolition of Apartheid.
and contributions. We wish him every success with his
Fortress Press activities and hope that he will continue to
This is the result of knowing a faithful God and believing in support this publication.
His promises with an ‘in Christ’ experience. When we are
assured that He cares because He is loving and good; when
Mr. Georgekutty V joined the editorial board three years ago
we are convinced that He is in control because He is
and helped us with few articles; he is also leaving the
omnipotent; when we believe that He is with us and knows
editorial board. We are very appreciative of his contributions
all about our problems because He is omnipresent and
and sincerely thank him and wish him very good health and
omniscient; when we believe that He is working everything
happiness.
together for good because He is sovereign and wise (Rom
8:28); then we will have peace to live with this pandemic or
any other impending dangers. God’s faithfulness is the It is very important to acknowledge and appreciate the most
assurance that we can go to bed in the evening and wake up significant work involved in searching for authors, editing,
in the morning to face a new day of immense possibilities. formatting, publishing and distributing this journal to over
Valson Thampu in one of his new year meditations wrote: 200,000 worldwide readers. For this, I express my gratitude
to Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Revd Dr. Abraham Philip and Mr.
“I derive a lot of comfort and encouragement in this regard Lal Varghese.
from the parable of the talents (Mt 25:1-30). Each of the
servants had to give account only of what was entrusted to It gives us great pleasure to welcome Dr. Cherian Samuel as
him. The servant who got two talents did not have to feel a member of the editorial board. Dr. Cherian Samuel is an
inferior to the one who gained five talents more. Both were, economist; he retired from the World Bank Group in
equally, ‘good and faithful servants.’ Both were ‘perfect’ in February 2021, following a distinguished career. He is a
the eyes of the master. Jesus’ definition of perfection is member of the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, McLean,
being ‘good and faithful’. Faithful to what? It is faithfulness to Virginia (USA).
what we are envisaged to be in God’s plan for the Creation
as a whole.” Growing towards perfection in everything that We thank all the contributors who have helped us over the
we do is our act of being faithful to God. May God continue last nine years. We fondly remember and thank all the
to bless the readers of FOCUS to seek this perfection. When authors of the very first issue in April, 2013: Mr. Jacob
we walk with God on our journey of faith, he will never leave Parappally, Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Dr. Titus Mathew, and
us stuck in the middle of nowhere, isolated from Him in Mr. Lal Varghese, Mrs. Ann Morisy, Dr. Sam Varghese, and
storms of life, in danger of going under, but will be with us Dr. Anthony Parel. We thank all our subsequent contributors
always as our creator, Father and saviour. This is our faithful over the last nine years and all our world-wide readers. We
Lord God, the Almighty, the ruler of all; let us respond to him are happy in thanking Dr. Anna A. Panackal for her article in
with our absolute faithfulness. the current issue because she and her husband, late
Abraham Panackal, attended the FOCUS seminar in 1999.
It is impossible to conclude this editorial without thinking of
Let us continue this journey together and make it a
the tragedies unfolding in Ukraine, as a result of the Russian meaningful, transformative journey of ‘social spirituality’ with
invasion. Let us carry the Ukrainian people and others an ongoing ‘in Christ’ experience for establishing God’s
caught up in this tragedy in our prayers and thank God for

kingdom values on the earth. “Some trust in chariots and in
horses, but we trust in the name of Lord our God” (Ps 20:7). Book Review
Finally, we want to thank most sincerely for the kind George Thomas, Copenhagen
message and blessings of the Most Revd Dr. Theodosius
Mar Thoma Metropolitan. We also express our heart-felt
gratitude to the Rt. Revd Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa,
the Diocesan bishop of North America and Europe, for
Thirumeni’s message, encouragements and blessings. Let
us continue to pray for these two humble and faithful
servants of God for their health and blessed ministry.
“Move on steadily,
and know that the waters that carry you
are the waters of My love and My kindness,
and I will keep you on the right course” (Frances. J. Roberts)
Dr. Zac Varghese, London (For the Editorial Board)
http://www.issuu.com/diasporafocus
http://www.scribd.com/diasporafocus Glimpses of the History of the Christian Churches in
Web Site: www.facebook.com/groups/mtfocus
India. By Professor V. Titus Varghese and P.P. Philip,
E-Mail: mtfousgroup@gmail.com
published by Christian Literature Society, 1983. Pp
Published by Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas for and on behalf of viii+174.
Diaspora FOCUS
Here is a history of the Churches in India presented by a
Disclaimer: Diaspora FOCUS is a non-profit organization
registered in United States, originally formed in late Nineties in historian and a layman. Neither of them had had formal
London for the Diaspora Marthomites. Now it is an independent Theological training, and so their vision of development of
lay-movement of the Diaspora laity of the Syrian Christians; and the Churches does contain insights that are natural to
as such FOCUS is not an official publication of any
laymen. Being keenly interested in Church history, Late
denominations. It is an ecumenical journal to focus attention
more sharply on issues to help churches and other faith Professor Titus Varghese (who was Professor of History
communities to examine their own commitment to loving their in the Madras Christian College for many years) has read
neighbors and God, justice, and peace. Opinions expressed in widely and written profusely on topics connected with
any article or statements are of the individuals and are not to be
deemed as an endorsement of the view expressed therein by
this subject. His co-author Late P.P. Philip was an
Diaspora FOCUS. Thanks. Accounts Officer in the Office of the Accountant-General,
Kerala. He had co-authored yet another book titled
Missionary Horizons with Professor Titus Varghese.
BEST WISHES FOR LENT AND EASTER
The book in 174 pages while covering a period of 19
"No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by
advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you centuries is not too long. The reader is not burdened with
spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard too many details. The authors have avoided making
floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no assertions where documentary evidence is not adequate,
good to others, you do nothing great.” but have given traditions as heritages worthy to be
treasured.
Arch Bishop John Chrysostom (CA 347-407)
The Christian Church, though one in essence as the Body

of Christ, came to develop as separate branches caused
by the vicissitudes of history. It takes a very strict sense
of fairness and rare skill to do justice to all the different
branches without particularly favoring any one. The
earnest effort of the authors to present a balanced and
fair picture in such a limited space looks abundantly
successful. The closing chapters narrate the impact of the
Churches on the social and political life of the country.
The book carries a forward scripted by the Lamented
Metropolitan Alexander Mar Thoma.


=


Ebenezer Moments
O. C. Abraham, Philadelphia*
"Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between A Dream Catcher
the towns of Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer It was on the morning of August 26, 1960, that I was
(which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this ecstatic as I saw the Statue of Liberty and the
point the LORD has helped us!" (1 Samuel 7:12). skyscrapers of New York City, after 35 days of travelling
from Cochin, India, on a Spanish cargo ship, crossing the
The “stone of help” was erected to commemorate Israel’s Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal and the
divine and decisive victory over the Philistines. It marked Atlantic Ocean. Somehow, I was able to forget all the
the spot where the enemy had been routed and God’s trials and tribulations of the
promise to bless His repentant people had been journey like packing, bidding goodbye to my family,
honored. a forty-mile taxi ride to Cochin from home, and
getting inside the ship by climbing a rope ladder as the
"EEbenezer moments" are times when we know without a gang way of the ship was already closed. All in seven
doubt that God has intervened in our lives. We realize that hours! Weeklong sea sickness while crossing
only God could have allowed the outcomes we have the turbulent Arabian sea during the monsoon season,
experienced. Only His help has brought us through. surviving over a month with Spanish-only speaking ship
crew, unfamiliar Spanish food, changing weather, and
loneliness as I was the only passenger, were all
challenges I faced during the voyage.
I was bewildered and lost, but the great dreams about

higher studies in theology at the Dubuque University
Seminary in Iowa, kept me going. Standing on the deck of
the ship, I reflected on what inspired me to this goal of
graduate education. I pondered about what my mother
used to remind me: that she has dedicated me for the
Lord's work while I was in her womb at the 1934
Maramon Convention as she prayed and longed for a boy
child after three girls. As I stood on the deck, I praised
and thanked God for all His extraordinary guidance, love,
On reflecting my life for the last 87 years, especially the
and blessings, “Up to this point the LORD has helped
last 62 years in the Americas, I have had the opportunity
us!" a true Ebenezer Moment.
to experience hundreds of "Ebenezer Moments", the
special blessings of Jehovah. Coming to the United The reality hit me only when I landed on the American soil
States with forty dollars for graduate studies in Theology with forty dollars in my pocket and a forty-pound steel
at the University of Dubuque (Iowa), McCormick trunk in my hand. There were no friends to receive me at
Theological Seminary (Chicago), Jane Addams School of the dock, I knew no one in New York to call for advice, I
Social work (University of Illinois, Chicago), The had no idea where to catch the bus for going to Chicago,
Ecumenical Institute Bossey (Geneva, Switzerland), and where I knew two Malayalees. I also found out that the
Temple University (Philadelphia) were all, “How great is funds I had, was not sufficient to get to Iowa, which was
Thy faithfulness” moments. The internship at the Federal almost a thousand miles west. All I remember is sitting on
prison in Leavenworth (Kansas), working at the Hull the steel trunk in great desperation,
House (Chicago) with inner city black youths, working at I earnestly prayed, with tears in my eyes, and fear and
the World Council of Churches (WCC) office with the anxiety in my heart. As I was praying and committing
Church World Service (Geneva), working for the myself to God's will, a person came to me and introduced
resettlement programs for Uganda immigrants with WCC himself as Dr. C.C. Thomas from Ranni, Kerala. He was
(London), participating as a Youth Delegate at the 1963 looking for his nephew coming from Bombay in another
WCC Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in cargo ship. We located Chacko and traveled in his 1953
Mexico, were other “Ebenezer moments” I experienced Studebaker to Kankakee, Illinois. Dr. C.C. Thomas, who
during the 1960s. Through this essay, I like to share was married to an American lady, was a lecturer at the
in depth few of my greatest Ebenezer moments, for Nazarene College. As we rode in the car, I experienced
illustrating how the "How Great is Thy Faithfulness" my "Ebenezer Moment ", with the meaning of the
hymn has become a reality in my life, the times that God songs, “How Great is Thy Faithfulness”, and “how
has shown me His love, wisdom, guidance, and mercy. great Thou art”, becoming a reality. His divine help had

brought me through so far. I thanked God for sending His people were going through. She offered me an apple, my
angel. only meal for that day. Later in the evening, she helped
me get some food at a bus stop and we broke bread
Black Life Matter together. She also helped me get a place to sleep that
night and taught me some skills for how to survive in the
When I came to America in the Fall of 1960, Dwight South. On the next day, she helped me see Martin Luther
Eisenhower was the President. The country was on the King from a distance while he was addressing a rally. We
brink of elections. The Vice President, Richard Nixon, and were together that day in the Civil Rights demonstration
John F Kennedy were the Presidential candidates. The group, which Rev. King was leading. Another close
major political issue of the day was Civil Rights. All over encounter with an Angel and experience another
the country, especially in the Southern States, African “Ebenezer Moment”!
Americans (called Negros at the time) faced issues of
voting rights, unwarranted arrests, and serious The First Americans
discrimination in social, economic and political life. They
were excluded from restaurants and public libraries. My first seminary Internship assignment was a dream
Many parks barred them with signs that read, " Negros come true program as a Fraternal Worker among the
and dogs not allowed". African Americans were expected Indigenous or Red Indians. It was a blessed three
to step aside to let a white person pass and they dared summer months in1961 with the Choctaw and Seminole
not look any white lady in the eye. They had to drink from tribes in Oklahoma and Arkansas, which was arranged
separate water fountains, sit in the back of buses, use through the National Missions of the Presbyterian Church,
separate rest rooms and waiting rooms, separate Louisville, Kentucky.
schools, separate cemeteries, and even swear on
separate Bibles. Interracial marriage was illegal, and Native Americans, the indigenous people of North
most Black people couldn’t vote because they were America, had lived in this continent for several thousand
unable to pass voter literacy tests. I also years before Europeans began exploring the "New World"
experienced all these prejudices. Getting food from the in the 15th century. Among the several Native American
restaurants, staying in motels, travelling in public buses, tribes, there existed and exists, many ways of life, world
getting haircuts, walking through main streets, shopping view, clothing styles, shelters, foods, language, spiritual
were all challenging experiences for me. and philosophical beliefs, social and political systems.
Native Americans excelled at using natural resources,
During the Spring break of 1962, I visited a few Southern climate, and terrains in which they lived. They have many
states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama of the same values we cherish in our community like,
to observe the Freedom Riders and Civil Right great respect for older people, love for children, close-knit
movements under the leadership of Martin Luther King families, and moral values.
(MLK), Jr. (1929-1968). During his lifetime, MLK was
arrested 30 times for participating in civil rights activities. I have been always interested in Native Americans, their
In 1963, he was one of the organizers for the March on unique culture, their rich tradition, and their value system.
Washington and the following year, received the Nobel I was very sympathetic to their plight for justice,
Peace Prize. In 1965, King helped organize the Selma to genocide, atrocities, coercions, unkept treaties, wars,
Montgomery marches. MLK worked tirelessly to assure forced resettlement and other horrible treatments, which
the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. they went through. They have serious economic
problems, lack of leadership, organizational skills,
I had to transfer a few buses and observe the protocol of collective voice in political life, and educational
the time by sitting at the back of the bus, using the opportunities. Many communities suffer from poverty,
designated washrooms, and waiting rooms. I felt that I alcoholism, health problems, unemployment, high school
was curiously observed by the people in the bus as I was dropouts, and suicides. Only 20 percent of the total
neither very dark nor white. Seldom anyone wanted to population was affiliated with any Christian church. Of
talk to me, though I had tried to initiate a conversation. these, only 25 percent of the churches were led by Native
On the second day of my travel, I was hungry and thirsty Indian leaders. Before 15th century, an estimated 40-90
as the little food, which I brought with me had finished. million indigenous people lived in the Western
However, I was very scared to go to any place where they hemisphere. Currently, there are only a little over two and
sold food. half million First Americans live in this country. In contrast,
the Asian American population in the United States is
An elderly black lady, who was sitting at the back of the estimated to be approximately 20 million, 5.6% of the
bus not far from me, asked me where I was from and total population according to the World Population
where I was going. She was a volunteer activist for the Review and American Community Survey.
Civil Rights moment and was going to Alabama. I learned
a lot from her during that long ride about the issues faced Very early on June 2nd, 1961, I left the secured and
by black people, their social conditions, and the comfortable university campus and drove alone 650 miles
leadership of Rev. Martin Luther King. I felt a sense of in my 1957 Studebaker automobile through Southern
oneness with her in the struggles and what the black states where active discrimination was prevalent.

Though anxious and scared, the encounter with Choctaw
and Seminole indigenous people was the most exciting Theme – FOCUS July 2022
and blessed experience in my life. Probably, I may be the
first Asian Indian Malayalee ever, who has worked as a
missionary among the indigenous people in this Living with the Pandemic: Lessons and Possibilities
hemisphere. Jokingly, I used to introduce myself as the
"real Indian" from the Mar Thoma tribe and addressed
them as the "real Americans".
During summer months, the Native Indians conduct Bible

camps in their family churches attended by fifteen or
twenty families. They set shelters around the church
compound for each family, cook and eat together.
Parents, children, and youth had their own separate
worship, singing, Bible study, witness, play time etc. My
role was to provide leadership for the summer gatherings.
I moved around during the three months in ten different
Bible camps in different small towns in Oklahoma and
Arkansas among the Seminoles and Choctaws. I slept in
the wooden benches in the church, enjoyed the natural
food and the great hospitality. The older people were
wise, as they live in harmony with nature and believe that
experience brings knowledge. The children and youth International violence, troubles and instability of the 22nd
were very loving and curious. For me it was century started with the bombing of the World Trade
an unforgettable three months, heaven on earth! Centre at New York by Al-Qaeda/Taliban terrorists on
11th September 2001; it is widely known as 9/11. This
I was in tears on my last day with the loving First attack injured over 25,000 people and killed nearly 3,000.
American hosts before bidding Halito-goodbye at Kvli
people. This was followed by large number of violent
Chito church near Broken Bow, Oklahoma, the place
where the "Trail of tears" ended (The Trail of Tears was events across the world such as Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Iraqi
part of the Indian removal Act of President war, Yemeni crisis, troubles in Syria, ISIS, refugee crisis,
Andrew Jackson, an ethnic cleansing measure and series Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and war in Ukraine.
of forced displacements of approximately 60,000 Native
Americans of the Five Civilized Tribes between 1830 and From the beginning of 2020, we saw the emergence of
1850 by the United States the COVID-19 pandemic; it caused over 6 million death
government). The outpouring gestures of love that each
world-wide, so far. Before this pandemic, we saw above
family gathered there expressed by presenting me
with various kinds of lovely gifts that I could use for my problems affecting only certain groups or countries or
life in America are still etched in my mind. Each one regions. But the pandemic made the whole world to
came, hugged me and bid farewell. At that moment, I realize that 'we are all in it together'. We learnt many
felt oneness with those great and proud children of God, lessons such as the voluntary restraints of some of our
another "Ebenezer Moment”. “Up to this point the LORD personal freedoms for protecting others around us by,
has helped us!" lock downs, social distancing, wearing face masks,
getting vaccinated, sharing vaccines and personal
Little did I know at that time, that God was preparing the
ground and sowing the seed in the American soil for the protective equipment (PPE) with less-developed nations
future Native American mission by the Diocese of North of the world.
America and Europe of the Mar Thoma Church.
From this background arose the idea of a 'new normal'.
*O.C. Abraham, MA, M.Div. and his Therefore, it is an opportune time to think about the
wife Nirmala Abraham live in Delaware.
They are blessed with two
lessons learnt, so far, for living with this pandemic and
daughters: Anisha Abraham, MD and the possibilities open to the world for more cooperation,
Ajita Abraham, JD and five sharing resources, reducing the wastage of resources,
grandchildren. During 1965-66, ecologically friendly developments, stability and peace.
O.C. worked with World Council of
Churches in Geneva. He also ministered We request the readers of the FOCUS to think about
as a Lay Chaplain of the Mar Thoma these and other aspects prayerfully and give a Christian
Church in Kerala. As an Administrator for Mental Health Services perspective for living with the pandemic and facing other
for Adolescents, he served 35 years in the State of
storms of life.
Delaware. Currently, both are very active with Native America
Mission of Mar Thoma Church. Dr. Zac Varghese, FOCUS Editorial Board

HOW FAITHFUL IS GOD?
Mr. Chhotebhai, Kanpur, UP, India*
The mandate given to me was to write about “How great wearing of the hijab (head scarf), anti-conversion laws,
is the faithfulness of God”, in the context of FOCUS demolition of religious structures etc.
completing 9 years. This sounded like a categorical
Now what should our faithful God do? Should he send ten
statement that brooked no argument. The best answer
plagues to avenge the attacks on his “chosen people”?
would be “Please read the Bible. You will discover how
Remember that the entire Egyptian people, not just the
faithful God is”.
Pharaoh, suffered for the perceived insecurity of their leader.
Unfortunately, this seemingly innocuous question from What was “faithfulness” for the Israelites would have been
“collateral damage” for the Egyptian people! I have often
FOCUS landed at the wrong desk! I am not a doubting
wondered how the Coptic Christians of Egypt view the
Thomas, but a seeking Thomas – one looking for proof.
events of the Exodus that occurred between 1290-1224 BC,
“Unless I can see …” (Jn 20:25). I shall try to see. My
during the reign of Rameses II, the 19 Pharaoh? th
supplementary question is, “What do we understand by

faithfulness? To what do we compare it – a faithful dog, a Nevertheless, the faithfulness of the God of the Israelites
faithful servant or a faithful spouse?” Notice that was not unconditional. He was angered at their lack of faith
faithfulness seems to be a relative term, as in a master- in his providence, saying “Your children will be nomads in
servant relationship. the desert for forty years, bearing the consequences of your
faithlessness, until the last one of you lies dead in the
So let us explore the Bible to understand God’s desert” (Num 14:33-34). So, faithfulness and faithlessness
faithfulness. The greatest testimony to this would be the are a two-way street that no “chosen people” can take for
exodus from Egypt, followed by the release from granted. I have a favourite expression: “Love without truth is
Babylonian captivity. Some exegesis would shed more an indulgence. Truth without love is an imposition”. We need
light on this. a balance of both love and truth to understand the
faithfulness of God.
Joseph, the abandoned son of Jacob, had found favour
with the Pharaoh. When famine struck the land of his After several years of slavery in Egypt and forty years of
father, Jacob, they migrated to Egypt under the nomadic wandering in the desert, the chosen people later
Pharaoh’s and Joseph’s patronage. They were just 70 in experienced 48 years of the Babylonian Captivity (587-539
number (cf. Gen 46: 27). They were accommodated in the BC), till the edict of the Persian (Parsee to us in India) King
Cyrus in the first year of his reign (cf. Ezra 1:1-4). Many
region of Goshen where they multiplied prolifically (cf.
chosen ones would have been born and even died in
Gen 47:5) to the extent that they became very powerful
captivity. “By the Rivers of Babylon” is a hep dance number.
and overran the country (cf. Ex 1:7). Subsequently, a new
It is actually a lamentation, the Song of the exiles, Psalm
Pharaoh, who was ignorant of Joseph’s contribution to
137. “By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept . . . How
the nation, felt threatened, hence enslaved the Israelites
could we sing a song of Yahweh on alien soil?” (Ps137:1,4).
(cf. Ex 1:8-14).
Far from being a romantic dance number it ends on a
vengeful note, “A blessing on any one who seizes your
This prompted the faithful God to say “I have indeed seen
babies and shatters them against a rock” (Ps137:9)!
the misery of my people in Egypt” (Ex 3:7). Most of us
would be familiar with the rest of the story – the ten In the post exile period (5th century BC) we have the
plagues, crossing the Reed (not Red) Sea. Can we lamentation of Job (known to Muslims as Ayub, the epitome
juxtapose this story on today’s scenario, especially in of forbearance). His famous utterance was “Naked I came
India? from my mother’s womb, naked I shall return again. Yahweh
gave, Yahweh has taken back, blessed be the name of
Yahweh” (Job 1:21). How many chosen people today
The majority Hindu community (80%) feels threatened by
(Christians) would have the faith to go through Job’s ordeals
the growing numbers of Muslims (14%) and Christians and still say “Blessed be the Lord”? How many of us, in an
(2.3%) as per the last Census in 2011. (The 2021 Census era of breaking news and 2-minute noodles, can wait for
could not be held because of the pandemic). A caveat: it 40/48 years to see the Lord’s deliverance?
is the political leaders (Pharaohs) of the majority
Can we see the Lord’s faithfulness in the slaughter of the
community that are raising the bogey of a danger from
innocents in Bethlehem (cf Mat 2:16)? Why should those
the Muslims and Christians, thereby justifying attacks on
innocents and their families have suffered? Would they
them – bans on animal slaughter, the leather industry,
proclaim “Hosanna, salvation has come”?

What about the persecution of nascent Christians for 300 in Israel have I found faith as great as this” (Mat 8:10). At the
years of the Roman Empire, till Emperor Constantine’s Edict Last Judgement will we hear the Lord say “Well done good
of Milan in 313 CE? Did they experience the faithfulness of and faithful servant, you have shown that you are faithful in
God in the catacombs and the Coliseum? How many of us in small things, I will trust you with greater things; come and
a similar situation would be able to say “Our God is great, join in your master’s happiness” (Mat 25:21).
alleluia”?
Here again there is a message for all of us who profess to be
Cut to today – sub-Saharan Africa, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Christian. Faith isn’t linked to heroic acts like martyrdom or
some Gulf States, Pakistan, China, Myanmar and some parts being thrown into a lion’s den / raging fire as Daniel was. Our
of the Far East. Are Christians safe? Several reports state faithful God expects us to begin with small things, even the
that today Christianity is the most persecuted of all religions. limited talents that he has given us. Only then can we expect
The cold war over pseudo-secularism has hit erstwhile to rise to greater heights. Let us not commit the fatal error of
Christendom (Europe) with a sledge hammer. It is no longer the man with one talent who blamed his misfortune on his
politically correct to say “Merry Christmas”. Ultimately Pope master saying, “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping
Francis had to raise his voice against this excessive where you had not sown, and gathering where you had not
secularism that was earlier confined to France; a scattered, so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent
consequence of the French Revolution centuries earlier. in the ground” (Mat 25:24-25). The master’s retort was swift
and lethal. “As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him
Have I painted a gloomy picture? Let us look at the other into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and
side of the coin. While the Israelites were grumbling in the grinding of teeth” (Mat 25:30).
desert God said to them “The clothes on your back did not
wear out and your feet were not swollen, all those forty Do I sound cynical or agnostic? Far from it. I do not presume
years” (Deut 8:4). God’s faithfulness. The sin of presumption is exactly how
Jesus was tempted in the desert with these provocative
How many of us can say what Paul said to the Romans? words: “If you are Son of God throw yourself down from here
“Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ – can for Scripture says: He has given his angels orders about you,
hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and to guard you; and again, they will carry you in their arms in
clothing, or threats or violence; as scripture says ‘For your case you trip over a stone” (Lk 4:9-10, cf. Ps 91: 11-12).
sake we are being massacred all day long, treated as sheep Jesus, the epitome of wisdom, didn’t fall into the trap and
to be slaughtered?’ No; we come through all these things retorted “Scripture says: Do not put the Lord your God to the
triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us” test” (Lk 4:12, cf. Deut 6:16). From the above interaction (one
(Rom 8: 35-37). Paul makes this exhortation after first of my favourites) we find that the Evil One is adept at quoting
explaining that “It was not for its own purposes that creation scripture out of context. It is for this reason that I am wary of
has frustration imposed on it, but for the purposes of him over zealous Bible thumpers, or miraculous claims.
who imposed it – with the intention that the whole creation
itself might be freed from its slavery to corruption and I may add that I believe in God’s providence but not in
brought into the same glorious freedom of the children of magical miracles. To allay any doubts, I shall share just two
God” (Rom 8:20-21). instances (there are umpteen) of God’s hand of protection
over me.
The coup-de-grace comes from the Letter to the Hebrews.
“God is treating us like his sons. Has there ever been any From 1975-82 I lived in Jyotiniketan Ashram, Bareilly,
son whose father did not train him? If you were not getting founded by Rev C. Murray Rogers, an Anglican priest, since
the training, as all of us are, then you would not be sons, but handed over to a Capuchin friar. Inspired by St Francis of
bastards” (Heb 12:7-8). This echoes what was said earlier, Assisi I often embarked on Gospel journeys with just a cloth
“Learn from this that Yahweh your God was training you as a shoulder bag, a spare kurta-pyjama, Bible, crucifix, cymbals
man trains his child” (Deut 8:5). Other, more poetic and a toothbrush (the last being something you cannot
translations use the word “chastise” for “train”. Do we feel borrow), but no money. My longest journey was 2000 kms
chastised by such a train of thought? over two months in blistering summer. My Christian identity
was never hidden as I always wore a wooden rosary (mala)
There is a thread running through the Bible that faith in Jesus with a crucifix. 47 years later, I still do.
is not meant for the faint hearted. To experience the
faithfulness of God one should have a deep faith of one’s During these journeys I drank brackish water from
own. It is a challenge to Christians in a secularised, wayside ponds, ate food fallen on the road, plucked
polarised, consumeristic society, where the pursuit of grains of wheat or wild figs, crossed the mighty Ganga
individual happiness scores over what Pope John XXIII and a crocodile infested tributary (in a boat)! When
described as the “common good”. Will Jesus say to us what exhausted I would hitch a ride on a truck or a farmer’s
he said to the Roman Centurion, “In truth I tell you, in no one tractor trolley. A herd of wild elephants once crossed the

road just ahead of me. When one is most vulnerable that Felicitation to Revd Dr. Sham P. Thomas - New
is when one experiences the fullness of God’s Director of the ECC, Bangalore
faithfulness.
We offer heart-felt
I give just one more testimony. Rev Rogers had relocated congratulations to
to Jerusalem. In 1980 he invited me to spend Holy Week Revd Dr. Sham P.
there. That year the Holy Week of the Western churches Thomas M. Sc, M. Th,
and the Eastern Orthodox coincided, as also the Jewish PhD, an ordained
Passover, so Jerusalem and flights were packed. Back minister of the Mar
then India did not have diplomatic relations with Israel, Thoma Church, who
nor were there any direct flights. has succeeded Fr. Dr.
Mathew
From Bareilly I came to Lucknow (240 kms) to collect my
Chandrankunnel as the
passport. As a mendicant I was sitting on the floor near
9th Director of the
the door of a general compartment in the train.
Ecumenical Christian
Somebody flicked my bag that contained the passport
Center (ECC),
just as the train was about to move. Providentially I
Bangalore. In a zoom
realized it and saw it lying on the railway track and was
Ceremony on 8th
able to retrieve it just in time.
January, 2022, Revd Dr. Sham P. Thomas was installed
I then proceeded to Delhi to get my visa for Israel, only to as the Director. A farewell to Dr. Mathew
be told that the Israeli Consulate was in Bombay, 1500 Chandrankunnel, the previous director, was also
kms away! The Anglican archbishop of Jerusalem had conducted at the same function. Most Revd Dr.
paid for the ticket. The travel agent thoughtfully booked Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the Chairperson of
me on a flight with a day’s break at Bombay. ECC, presided over the function.
When I reached the Consulate on the 7th floor of a Revd Dr. Sham P. Thomas took his Ph.D. in the field of
building all I saw was a closed door and a police guard. I Christian Communication from the Edinburgh University,
sat on the staircase and took out my prayer book. After of the UK and then, he taught at the United Theological
some time, I heard a voice over the intercom asking me College, Bangalore, as the Head and Professor of the
why I had come. I answered. The voice said that the Christian Communication department. He also served
Consulate was closed for three days for the Passover. I several Mar Thoma Parishes in and outside Kerala and
continued to pray quietly. has held several offices at the regional and national
levels. He is well known for his academic excellence and
The voice relented, opened the door and asked for my very engaging oratorical skills. He is an author of a
papers, including three photos that I didn’t have. Again, number of books and a persuasive preacher of the
providentially, I found a studio on the street that gave me Gospel. Achen hails from Punnakkadu, Kerala, and is
the photos in 30 minutes. I was on my way to Tel Aviv. married to Mrs. Achamma Thomas. Their daughter,
Indeed, I can proclaim “How great is the faithfulness of Shama Ann, is a medical doctor.
God”. With Mary I will also say, “My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, a member of the editorial board of
Saviour; because he has looked on the humiliation of his the FOCUS gratefully remembers Revd Sham P. Thomas
servant” (Lk 1:46). as one of his bright B. D. Students at the Mar Thoma
Theological Seminary, Kottayam, and delighted to see
The moral of the story is “God is faithful. He expects us to him as one of his successors as the director of the ECC.
respond to his call-in faith”, devoid of presumptuousness.
Then only will there be a fairy-tale ending “living happily The editorial board and the readers of FOCUS offer
ever after” congratulations to Revd Dr. Sham P. Thomas. We pray
for God’s blessings for a bright tenure as the Director of
*The writer is the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum, the ECC. May the change of guard at the ECC shed rays
former National President of the All-India Catholic Union of continued hope and progress in the ecumenical
(1990-94) former Director of the International Council of pilgrimage of the Center.
Catholic Men (1994-96), a regular columnist and author of
5 books. Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam
For the Editorial Board

The Faithfulness of God
Dr. George Varghese*
Scripture talks about a God who reveals to His chosen forgiveness and restoration. No condemnation. Again, the
people His essential nature, His Name. We do not impute promises of the Word became real.
these virtues to God but He talks about Himself for us to
know Who He is! One of these statements is that God is As we sought the Lord for our place of work as young
a God of Faithfulness . . . (Due 32: 3-4). doctors, He moved our hearts to look at Manali. A remote
tiny place. God’s promise to be with us in that place have
God is a God of Promise. He is a Covenant keeping God. proved real over the years and this has kept us here till
This is the essence of faithfulness. He enters into a now. “My Presence will go with you.”, “I’ll be your
covenantal relationship with His people and He is Reward”, and these became the anchors for my soul.
committed to keeping His side of the promise. 2 Tim 2:13.
He remains faithful because He cannot be otherwise. His God continued to enlarge our vision, to reach out to new
word is true. He cannot go against it. We have many places in the Himalayas. Some of these desires were our
songs that describe this truth. own. But deep down there was a seeking after God and
His Kingdom and to share the story of Jesus with others
“Faithful God, so unchanging…. who had never heard about this wonderful person. As we
ventured into the higher Himalayas the promise of “I am
Great is thy faithfulness . . . No shadow of turning with with you” became the anchor for our dreams.
thee.
I too went through periods of darkness, serious doubts,
This gives me Hope, confidence, security. He keeps us. crises, failures . . . in those situations, His gentle loving
He holds us.” eyes followed me. Nothing can separate me from God’s
Love . . . this too was experienced as a reality.
The story of Jesus is the fulfilment of the promises of
Sometimes, even now I forget that He is with me. Yet I
God. Centuries ago, Prophets of old held on to the
was aware of the watchful loving eyes of my God, no
faithfulness of God as they looked at the crises all around
matter what I did.
them. In spite of all the negative events, the sins of God’s
people and their failure to keep their promises to God, the There were times when we struggled financially for
Prophets held on to the truth that God would keep His various needs especially children’s education. Sometimes
word. He shows us that He is a faithful husband/lover. it was difficult to know between needs and wants. There
were times we were tempted to seek options B and C, if
How do I experience this truth about God’s faithfulness in
A did not work out. If God didn’t give (option A), we had
my life? Whatever I embrace and make it my own
other means. We could make it happen. Whatever we
becomes a living reality for me. I move from arbitrary
wanted or desired . . . so many of these projects left a
theoretical mediocre statements to practical flesh and
sour taste. In those moments, consciously to let go our
blood reality in my daily life.
schemes and hold on to God’s promises became a
I remember the time in 1972 when I knelt near my bed challenge. Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit
inviting Jesus Christ to take me as His child. I believed (Zech 4:6) continued to beckon us to trust Him When we
what God did on the cross to save me from my let go of our plans, God stepped in. He remained faithful.
predicament. I didn’t understand everything . . . but I
There were many instances where a dream or a whisper
took a leap in the dark and found myself in a different
or a letter from a friend reinforced God’s faithfulness.
dimension. I was surprised by Joy . . . my burden lifted
and I experienced a clean heart. I discovered a thirst for There were two instances of sickness where I could have
His love and a greater love for people. I became a child of died. Yet some strange peace came over me. And in my
God and looked up to Him and called him “My Daddy”. delirious state I was reassured that I would live . . . but
The promise in 1 John became real. had to go through the crisis. Even though I walked
through the valley of the shadow . . . thou are with me.
Whenever I failed to follow the path of truth and got
The Truth about this promise became real. Strangely, I
tempted and betrayed His love . . . I came back and
never prayed for myself, for the healing of my body. But
confessed my failures to Him and experienced
others prayed and God kept his promise.

Recently, I had the opportunity once again to experience The Diaspora laity of the Mar Thoma Church longs to
the faithfulness of God. In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus talked have a focus.
about not being anxious, don’t worry for your daily needs Focusing is meant to generate power.
Laity as frozen credit of the church.
. . . that worry and trust are incompatible. He said, “Seek
Must melt and become chanels of generosity.
my kingdom . . . and all these needs will be taken care How is it possible to get melted?
of.” The fire of the Holy Spirit alone will be able to awaken it.
When we came for the surgical treatment to Kerela, we Who can prevent the urge of the Spirit to have something
had decided that we will not ask for help from anyone as beautiful for God?
God has promised to take care of it. We had no big bank The scattered gems of the Church must have a strong
savings. Soon we started to receive deposits into our string to hold.
account from various friends and house groups. This was Holding together is meant for gathering,
Gathering is for scattering and scattering is for gathering.
enough to pay for all the bills (including the unexpected
It is the metaphor of life.
medical bills) It was so strange to be honoured like this. The vision of the Church in each generation takes its own
course.
This gives me a greater reason to seek Him and His ways
and not to worry about our needs. What a God we have! Sometimes, it gets deviated;
Faithful to the core. In spite of our faithlessness many Sometimes, it takes a new course of action.
times, He remains faithful. He kept his side of the The reality of Christ must be made known through word
promise. What to do with such a God? . . . Love, worship and deed.
and gratitude are all we have. The priesthood of the Church universal is meant to shine;
It must flutter its wings and soar high in each continent;
Will His faithfulness move us towards developing this In each nation, its power must generate the power of
love.
character in us? Will this fruit of God’s Spirit manifest in
my life? . . .Faithfulness in all my relationships with others. Love of power negates its focus.
Men of vision are always on the side of God,
Am I willing to keep my promises to God? This remains And God is on the side of them!
an eternal question. The digital network of the FOCUS Group is more than a
gadget;
*Dr. Dr. Geroge Varghese (Laji) and his wife Dr. Sheila It is the meeting of the hearts across the globe;
Varghese dedicated their whole life to the service of rural ‘The other’ is made near to our side
communities in the foothills of the Himalayas in the North
Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, please read their We are being transformed into a hymn of praise.
We make a name for the voiceless across the globe.
testimony in the October, 2021, issue of the FOCUS,
The clergy must be grateful to God for our being and
Vol.9 (3), p8-12.
becoming.
The period of slumbering is over.
Diaspora FOCUS The cracked walls of the Church must be rebuilt for
common wellness.
The global must be made local
Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam
The local must be transformed into universal.
[This poem was first published in the inaugural issue of The bricks once used for walls must be used for making
the FOCUS in April 2013. It was dedicated in honour of all bridges.
those who participated in the FOCUS (For Christian The periphery must be brought to the center.
Understanding and Solidarity) seminars held at Santhigiri The awakening must happen from below.
from 1999-2003.] The power must come from above.
The Amazing grace will be our strength.
If there is no focus, there will be only a blurred vision.
The light rays passing through the clouds must get May the Diaspora FOCUS flutter its wings in all the
focused as a rainbow. continents.
It is a symbol of plurality, May its waves refresh the clergy and the laity in their
Plurality is integral to reality. spiritual journey.
Plurality is held together by a string of love; May God’s name be glorified through its acts of love for
It is the love of God in Christ that makes its appeal the posterity.
universal. This is our prayer to Thee, Lord:
Let our rising out of ashes be an offering to you
Enable us to spread our rosy wings high.

Everlasting Faithfulness of God
Mr. P. T. Mathew, Dallas*
“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, (The Hymn ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ was published
because his compassions fail not. They are new every in 1923. For several years, the hymn got very little
morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lam 3: 22-23, KJV). recognition, until it was discovered by a Moody Bible
Institute professor who loved it so much and requested it
A new year brings lots of questions: will our health hold?
Will our children get admission in the right school for the sung so often at chapel services, that the song became
right course? Will the economy improve? Will I live to see the unofficial theme song of the college.)
the end of the year? Will this Covid19 get under control?
Will the life be getting on back to normal or need to Jeremiah is the author of the Book of Lamentations.
continue with this new normal? Our God, the creator of Jeremiah is also referred to as the weeping prophet. The
the universe says to us, “don’t be afraid, and don’t be Book of Lamentations tells of his sorrows over the
discouraged”. What happens in this coming year is not tragedy that befell the city, the country and, the people of
left to chance, but with the knowledge and control of the Israel. In response to what happened, he urged
good Lord. Lord our God will be with us all, wherever, we repentance. He knew that God was a God of mercy and
go. That is the reason we can wish each other a” Happy compassion. He stood in the gap for his people and
New Year ”We have entered into a new year, the year of urged them to return to God. Through the pages of
2022. Let us begin this year by trusting in the promise of Lamentations, we are given a glimpse into the awful
God that His presence will be with us from the beginning sufferings endured by the people of Jerusalem at the
till the end of the year. So we can cast all our worries and hands of the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar.
anxieties unto Him, He will strengthen us to cross the However, Jeremiah knew what God would do for his
hills, the valleys. He provides us the resources for life, the people and for himself. Jeremiah knew that God was
water, which indicates the physical and spiritual food for faithful. Jeremiah knew that God would do what He said
our day to day life. He is faithful and His faithfulness is He would do. The prophet Jeremiah witnessed
everlasting; He is the same yesterday, today and unimaginable horrors when the Babylon invaded
tomorrow. Jerusalem in B.C 586. What is it that could bring
Jeremiah out of his depression? As he is reflecting on
Because He is faithful, He keeps up His side of the how awful the situation is, he is reminded of
relationship even when I don't. 2 Tim. 2:13: If we are the goodness and faithfulness of God. Let’s look at what
faithless, He remains faithful - for He cannot deny he remembered and be reminded of God’s goodness to
Himself. God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his us:
merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new
every morning. How great is your faithfulness! God’s Mercy is a covenantal Love
A Reason for Hope is stated in Lamentations 3: 22-23, “. . God’s mercy is His loving kindnesses—which we can
. His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; relate to better than mercy, but the word used for mercy
great is thy faithfulness. Jeremiah wrote these words at a is the reflection of His loving kindness. It means a love or
time when Israel was suffering much affliction. He affection that is steadfast based on a loyalty or devotion,
described their sin and suffering in chapters 1 & 2. He especially in relationship to the covenant and God as it’s
described the destruction of Jerusalem, which was to author. Out of the faithfulness to His covenant God grants
come soon, in all its horror in chapter 4. In chapter 3 he mercy. His mercy is limitless and can never fail.
shares his own personal pain in verses 1-18. But with a
What was it that kept hope alive in Jeremiah in spite of
prayer to God to remember his bitter condition, the
the terrible situation he was in? It was his knowledge of
prophet gets his eyes off himself and unto the
the mercies of the Lord. Jeremiah’s hope came from his
Lord. Hope is revived when he remembers that the
personal experience of the Lord’s faithfulness and from
Lord’s mercies and compassions . . . are new every
the knowledge of God’s promise in the past. God’s mercy
morning, and that His faithfulness is great. It is one of the
involved in His undying love and loyalty toward His
saddest stories of the Bible, yet it inspired one of the
people through the covenant that He had made with
most hopeful hymns of the twentieth century.
Israel. It was because of that covenant that Jeremiah
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father, could expect that the Lord would love them in spite of
Morning by morning new mercies I see; their sin. He might discipline His disobedient people,
All I have needed thy hand hath provided, allowing them to be ravaged by their enemies, and even
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. letting their temple and the Law be destroyed, but He
would never ultimately forsake His people.

Being a Diaspora community we also might have gone He smiles upon on us each day with more blessings than
through the times of absorption and abandonment. But in we can possibly think of or imagine.
our deepest sorrow, we are often surprised by the light of We must learn to see each day as a gift from our loving
God’s never-failing love and mercy. Then by His grace compassionate heavenly Father. Like a mother or father
and mercy, we can echo the words of Jeremiah. His tenderly loving their child, God gives His children His
mercy and grace have been extended to those who are in bountiful blessings every morning. He smiles upon us
with such love and compassion that no earthly parent
Christ Jesus (Rom 8: 1), and nothing can separate us
could ever give to their children. And He doesn’t do this
from His love (Rom 8: 31–39). As a result, we can have one time, but He does it every day of our lives!
hope even in the midst of the gloomiest circumstances (2
The proof of God’s love and compassion can be seen
Cor 1: 8–11). But not only did Jeremiah remember the
every time you look up at the sky and see the sun. Even
mercies of God, he also remembered the compassion of on a cloudy day, you still know that the sun came up in
God. the morning and therefore, you are reminded that God
has fresh, new mercies & compassions for you for this
Compassion of God—God’s tender care day. Every morning when the sun comes up, we
have new, fresh, mercies and compassions from our
Hudson Taylor, the humble servant of God who went to loving heavenly Father.
China, demonstrated the extraordinary trust in God’s
Our Father loves us so much He doesn’t want us to have
love, care and faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: “our
old stale mercies and compassion to live from during the
heavenly Father is very experienced one. He knows very
day. What will you face today? Not the same things you
well that His children wake up with a good appetite every
faced yesterday or what you will face tomorrow. Each
morning----He sustained three million Israelites in the
day has its own trials and difficulties that are unique to
wilderness for forty years. We do not expect He will send
that day. Our Father knows that, so He gives us new and
three million missionaries to China, but He did, He would
fresh mercies and compassions that are just what we
have ample means to sustain them all----- Depend on it,
need for each day.
God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s
supply.” Faithfulness of God—God’s steadfastness, firmness,
commitment
We may be faint and weary, but our heavenly Father is all
The word faithfulness comes from a root meaning “be
Powerful. Our feelings may fluctuate, but He is
permanent, secure, reliable.” The word here is often
unchangeable. His love and care is unfailing and
translated “faith” but literally means “firmness” or
unchanging. The words “unfailing love” (Lam 3: 22 NLT)
faithfulness. Thus, it is used for the faithfulness of God
or “compassions” are translated from a Hebrew term
Himself (Ps 36: 5; 40: 10; Lam. 3: 23).
related to the Hebrew word for “stork “or “womb,”
suggesting a mother’s love and faithfulness. Compassion
is a word that requires action. It is more than pity or The steadfastness of God is great—meaning that it is not
sympathy, because it causes us to do something. The just a little firmness, but it provides us a whole lot of
Bible says Jesus was “moved with compassion” and as a stability. When the storms of life are blowing around us,
result He healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out we can know that God will be there in all of His power as
demons, and taught them the truth continually. solid as a rock. He is the anchor that we can hold on to,
no matter high the waves crash or how hard the winds
Jeremiah in Lamentations said two things concerning blow. When your heart becomes overwhelmed by the
the compassions of God circumstances of life and you feel that even God has
deserted you. Remember, His mercies, His compassions,
Firstly, “. . . fail not." God never fails to be and His faithfulness and you will be able to have hope in
compassionate. The judgment of God never comes until the midst of any storm.
every means of grace has been exhausted. Secondly,
"They are new every morning." It seems that God is Conclusion
looking for some way to demonstrate His love for us each
new day. Not only did we have the mercies and I could go on mentioning the rich benefits that flow from
compassions of God when we got saved, but we have being related to God. Because He is faithful, I can
them now — new every morning. Every morning we conquer every temptation, 1 Cor 10: 13: "No temptation
have fresh instances of God’s compassion towards us! has overtaken you except what is common to humanity.
He gives us the life and breath we need to live; He God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted
provides the sunshine and the rain we need to grow our beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will
crops; He gives us jobs so we can pay our bills and feed also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear
our family; He gives us the birds to sing to wake us up it.” Because He is faithful, He keeps up His side of the
and bring a smile to our faces; He paints beautiful relationship even when we don't. “If we are faithless, He
sunrises and sunsets across the sky for our enjoyment; will remain faithful - for he cannot disown himself” (2 Tim.
2:13).

God is faithful, and we are called to walk by faith and not Matthew 21. It had bothered me that Jesus would be upset with
by sight (2 Cor 5: 7). Despite the evolving and unstable a barren tree. “Do you know what that means?” he asked,
seasons that life brings, we are called to trust God. sensing that I didn’t. “No,” I said, hoping that he might say more
about it. He seemed, however, to show no eagerness to
Through times of joy and tribulation, God’s faithfulness
enlighten me any further, though he appeared confident of the
remains consistent and steadfast. Life can be hard,
meaning. “Would you mind telling me what that could be?” I
challenging, and seem unfair. When things do not go asked, rather imploringly. His face showed a steely look.
according to our plans, we become frantic, but God “Nope!” came his slapping reply, and then he turned around and
remains faithful. walked away. “Goodness, what a jerk!” I said to myself in
disbelief. I have never seen him since.
Within our own strength, it is easy to want to become
cynical and dismiss how God has kept us in the past. I
I could think of none on my campus that could interpret this
invite you not lose hope, but instead to use God’s track curious gospel story. About six months later—and I had been
record of faithfulness as our strength. God has specific thinking about this withered tree all along—I had a surprise call
attributes that He will continually show us those that from the Lions governor, a wealthy plantation man, inviting me
represent His faithfulness. God is a consistent provider, as a student speaker at their state conference. A few weeks
encourager, comforter, source of strength, and supporter. later I arrived at his mansion, as appointed. I had to wait a little
I will focus on these five traits and ways that God remains for my turn, so his steward offered to give me a tour of the
faithful, through the peaks and valleys of life. estate garden, all filled with exotic plants and fruit trees. I
noticed a midsize tree, lush in its cascading leaves, each the
size of an ancient war shield, gleaming in lively green. It seemed
We may be going through a season of rejection, loss,
to sit on the ground, shaped overall like a large Moghul dome. I
grief, or uncertainty. Do not be discouraged; there is good asked the steward what tree this was. “The fig tree,” he said.
news for us: God’s faithfulness will never waver. “The fig tree?” I echoed back in surprise. “Yes,” came his low-
Prayer: O Lord our everlasting God, we are so grateful for key reply. “The fig tree, did you say?” I asked again. “Yes,” the
your everlasting love and compassion. Thank you man assured me, obviously wondering about my excitement. I
asked to be excused; he moved on.
because your great love we are not consumed, for your
compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
I walked around that tree a few times like a tickled squirrel, and
great is your faithfulness. Amen. then paused; then I parted its cloaking foliage, which to my
* Mr. P. T. Mathew. M.A., M.S, was a college teacher in Kerala, sheer marvel, gave way and led me to the clear view of its trunk.
from 1970-1975. He is living in Dallas Texas since 1976. He is And what did I see within? Scores of ripe fruits, the size of
retired as an Engineer from Raytheon, USA. He is a member of tennis balls on long stems from the trunk and the branches. I
the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch, Texas. plucked one of them, bit into it and got nothing but a watery
taste. I threw the fruit away.
The Fig Tree* In an instant, I recognized something: this tree would look the
Dr. Varghese Mathai same, with or without fruit, to a passer-by. If it had fruit, it would
make no boastful show of it, which might be a good quality; but
I recall a casual meeting with a fellow if it held no fruit, then too, the rich leaves would cover its
student out on a walk during my earlier barrenness, thus fooling one into thinking that it might have
college days. He told me that he was great yield inside. That very instant I thought that Jesus could
from the distant countryside, the only have been giving a figurative lesson on the nation of Israel: The
son of disabled parents confined to fig tree was Israel; he was its great gardener, looking for fruit
their home. He would therefore, go and finding no fruit in the tree of his own planting. A fruitless
home every other week or so to make tree signals its own doom by the axe and fire. Prophet Micah
sure that they had all the supplies gives the idyllic picture of the elderly sitting under the fig tree,
needed, including drinking water. I was watching their little one’s play. Consider such a national symbol
very impressed with the account of his being so barren, yet hiding that curse with its gleaming cover. I
filial care. He quickly added that he was did not have to go to Israel for the rest of the story. It is my own
also a lay preacher. At this, my esteem hypocrisy that I tend to hide with the beguiling blanket of green.
for him rose even higher. Soon we had a schedule of regular
walks together, and good discussions along the way. Often, he *“The Fig Tree” is a story by Dr. Varghese Mathai, #11 from The Village
Maestro & 100 Other Stories, and is used with his permission. Published
would comment upon the Bible of which I knew very little, and
by Pippa Rann Books & Media, U.K. The book can be ordered via
about the little I knew, I had unending questions.
https://pipparannbooks.com/product/the-village-maestro-100-other-
stories/ or directly from the author, Dr. Varghese Mathai
One of those evenings he quizzed me: “Do you know this story vmathai50@gmail.com US $14.95 for the paperback, $24.95 for the
of Jesus cursing a fig tree because he found no fruit in it?” My hardback, plus packing and postage.
ears perked up. I had read that portion in Mark 11 and in

Living in Christ, Leaping in Faith*
Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas
John 15: 4 says: “Live in me, and I will live in you. A Corinthians 5:21). According to the Scriptures, anyone
branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. A branch has to can be “saved”—forgiven by God and guaranteed
stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot heaven—through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13).
produce fruit unless you live in me.” Living in Christ This isn’t a call for blind, ignorant belief (Acts 17:11; 1
means, being attached to Christ and live a life in faith. The John 4:1). It’s an invitation from the Holy Spirit to
entire Bible centers on a single and simple theme: God submission and trust (James 4:7). It’s a choice to let go of
loves us so much that He has made a way to save everything else in order to rely entirely on God. The only
mankind and His creation through forgiveness, way for a person to live in Christ is by accepting Jesus
reconciliation and redemption through his death on the Christ as their savior and walking in faith. Paul had that
cross and the resurrection. Jesus told Thomas, “I am the experience on the Damascus Road and he lived that ‘in
way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). That’s the Christ’ experience all his life and expressed the phrase ‘in
essence of the gospel, and the central subject of the Christ, over 200 times in his letters. Paul in his Areopagus
Scriptures. The written Word of God is intended to help exhortation told the Athenians: “For in him we live and
us understand this “good news.” By studying the Bible, move and have our being “Acts 17: 28). Apostle Paul is
we learn that each person needs to be saved (Romans one who lived in Christ by leaping in His faith.
3:23), each person can be saved (Romans 1:16), and God
wants each person to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), in order to The term “living in the gospel” has become a popular one
live in Christ as a branch attached to the vine and in the past few years, being used by people such as Tim
produces the fruit. Keller, J.D. Greear, David Platt, and many others. Many
variations on the term exist: “living out the gospel,” “living
in light of the gospel,” “being the gospel,” “living in
Christ’” and so on. While most people probably hear the
terms and skip right past them without a second thought,
there are others who have repeatedly and loudly declared
opposition to all such uses of these terms. Some even
question the truth of the Bible and the existence of God.
Gospel is the Word of God (Logos) and it should be

practiced and preached, which is only possible through
faith. The faithful should tread the unknown roads and
visit less frequented Samaritan wells spreading the
gospel. The process of living in Christ in faith is the work
of all three persons of the Trinity—the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. The book of Hebrews is an excellent
place to find answers to our questions about faith and
leaping in faith. Chapter 11 begins with this short
definition of faith: “Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews
11:1). Chapter 11 is termed as the ‘Hall of Faith’ of the
Bible.
What separates us from God is sin like a branch when it is What, then, is a leap of faith? The term leap of faith is not
cut from the tree. No matter how good we think we are, found in the Bible, but it is a common usage. Usually, to
every person is guilty of sin (1 John 1:10). Since God is take a leap of faith means “to believe in something with
absolutely perfect, no one deserves to spend eternity in no evidence for it” or “to attempt an endeavor that has
heaven. Instead, we deserve to be separated from Him little chance of success.” We find a list of men and
forever (Romans 5:16). No amount of effort, no good
women in the Bible who took a “leap of faith,” as it were.
deeds, no money, no talent, no achievements are enough
to take away this guilt (Isaiah 64:6). Fortunately, God These are just a few of the people mentioned who took
doesn’t want us to be separated from Him, so He made a God at His Word and trusted Him to do what He had
way to fix what’s broken (John 3:16-17) and to live in promised: By faith, Noah obeyed God and built an ark to
Christ. save his family from the flood (Genesis 6:9 – 7:24). By
faith, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, believing
That one and only way is through faith in Jesus Christ God would provide a lamb (Genesis 22:1–19). By faith,
(John 14:6). God Himself came to earth, as a human,
Moses chose to side with the Hebrews rather than stay in
living a perfect and sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He
willingly died as a sacrifice to pay the debt for our sins (2 the Egyptian palace (Exodus 2 – 4). By faith, Rahab risked

her life and sheltered enemy spies in her home (Joshua workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me.”
2:1–24). By faith Enoch walked with God and was taken They leaped in their faith in Christ Jesus, thus risking their
from this life, so that he did not experience death, it is life in the 1st century, when Christians were persecuted
everywhere in the 1st century. Apostles also leaped in faith
written: “He could not be found, because God had taken
and traveled to the ends of the earth with the gospel.
him away.” (Hebrews 11: 5)
St. James wrote, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man
Throughout the rest of the Scripture, the stories of the clams to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith
faithful continue. By faith, David confronted a giant with save him?” (James 2:14). God wants our lives to overflow
only a sling and a stone (1 Samuel 17). By faith, Peter with mercy, love, and compassion — the marks of His
stepped out of the boat when Jesus invited him to come kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we have a choice:
(Matthew 14:22–33). God miraculously delivered Joseph respond to unsettling realities in fear and withdraw, or
from slavery and placed him in charge over all of Egypt. follow Him in responding to the greatest needs of our day
with love and hope. We also know that caring for those in
God transformed Gideon from a coward to a courageous
need is the evidence of a faith that changes lives. We
warrior. These biblical characters took leaps of faith should be doers of what God has instructed us. Pope
because they trusted in the God who was powerful Francis said: “Gospel calls us to feed all the hungry,
enough to rescue them, hold them up, and not let them clothe all the naked and visit all the sick and oppressed.”
fall (see Jude 1:24). These accounts go on and on, each In fact, living in Christ and leaping in faith is actually living
story helping us to understand the biblical meaning of the Gospel.
a leap of faith. Leaping in faith involves the risk even to
In a materialistic world, the chances of neglecting the
the loss of one’s own life. Hebrews 11: 6 says: “Without
above words of Lord are very frequent in our lives.
faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who Simple, apostolic mission to do justice to others by
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he leaping in faith does not require large sanctuaries or halls
rewards those who earnestly seek him.” and lengthy pulpit preaching. It is much simpler than that
just open your heart to do justice to others who are being
A leap of faith might mean leaving the safety of your ignored by the world around them. It means finding the
comfort zone. Peter abandoned his safety and comfort living thread from one person to another, from house to
when he jumped out of the boat to walk on water to reach house, from one town to the next. It means discovering
Jesus. He could take that leap of faith because he knew the footsteps of Jesus Christ to see which way He went,
his Lord and trusted that He was good. When we so that we can go to the very place where He has been.
demonstrate authentic trust in God, we know that our
“leap of faith” is actually a leap into His all-powerful and Jesus didn’t make the Pharisees or other people in
loving arms. He delights in our trust and rewards those authority or position as His disciples, but He went and
who earnestly pursue Him: “Without faith it is impossible gathered those who were in the lowest strata of the
to please God, because anyone who comes to him must society to be with Him and to do His justice in the world.
believe that he exists and that he rewards those who He entrusted the twelve disciples to continue the spread
earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). of the Good News, the gospel, and they lived in Christ
and leaped in faith to spread the gospel to the end of the
Scripture calls us to "be doers of the word and not earth. He made ordinary people to do extra ordinary
hearers only . . . [for] faith by itself, if it has no works, is things by leaping into faith. All of the disciples except
dead" (James 1:22, 2:17). Jesus Himself directs us to John, who died of natural causes, were martyred for
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . leaping in faith of Jesus.
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you
. . ." (Mt 28:19-20). Life in Christ is a life of active witness. David Platt in his book, “Taking Back Your Faith from
It demands moral leadership and commitment to take the American Dream Radical” wrote: “We were settling for a
risk. Each and every person baptized in the truth of the Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves
Christian faith is a member of the "people of life/God" when the central message of Christianity is actually about
sent by God to evangelize the world. abandoning ourselves.” When we do not live in Christ or
for the gospel and not leaping in our faith, we are settling
So, let us be a people with a difference by living in Christ around and catering ourselves, while the central message
and for the gospel; let us be like Paul who transformed of Christianity is actually about leaping in faith and
himself as a different man ‘in Christ’. “For in him we live, abandoning ourselves. May the Lord, enable each one of
move and have our being” (Act 17:28). Yes, we are a us to live in Christ and for the gospel by being the letters
letter from Christ to the world and the letter should be of transmission of the good news to the whole world.
read by others and not to be thrown in the trash. Let us
be the aroma of Christ and enable us to heal the fractured [*This article was prviously published in the Souvenir of
world and to overcome the uncertainties surrounding the the 33rd Diocesan Family Conference of North America
world in a post COVID-19 landscape. Paul in Romans and Europe, 2021, P83-85.]
6:3-4 testifies that: “. . . Priscilla and Aquila, my co-

Trusting in the Faithfulness of God
Dr. Anna A. Panackal, Philadelphia*
out of control especially because I was alone and my
Almost every one of us has wondered at some point in children where not near me. Finding fault is a common
our lives, where is God? We tend to think we are most reaction and sometimes God becomes an object of our
blessed when life is running smoothly, everyone is getting blame. When your plans fall apart and feel there is a
along, we are healthy and our jobs and relationships are chasm between you and God what do you do? Either
thriving. These are indeed blessings, but what we often you trust Him and move forward or think God is not
forget is that God can bless us even in the midst of genuinely faithful. Divine logic is beyond the grasp of my
suffering. But what happens when your faith is tested mind. Can I wait in faith and patience without fretting and
and your prayers are unanswered and things don’t go without questioning God’s wisdom? We prone to judge
according to your expectations. God according to our environment or circumstances we
are facing. When we are faced with spiritual battle, we
There were situations in my life when I felt God is not tend to think God is not faithful (1st Thessalonians 5:24).
faithful or He doesn’t care. I must confess that this What is the meaning of faithfulness to God? It means God
feeling of abandonment by God happened to me when I does the right thing. There are so many verses in the
needed Him most. First when I came to this country in Bible talking about God’s faithfulness. We must believe
1966 and second when I lost my husband in 2010. God knows everything about our frailty and our
weakness. I started realizing God’s presence in my life
I came to US in 1966 as a student to pursue my graduate despite my doubts and fears. I must say God’s
studies. From a country that molded me into a Christian faithfulness has sustained me thus far. He gave me a
woman with rigid cultural, social and religious customs, I loving husband, good children and grandchildren. He
moved to a flexible society emphasizing in materialistic provided me with a nurturing sister and family as well as a
achievement and symbolic recognition. I had a new sister- in- law and family, caring friends at church and
problem of being placed into a new culture with a helpful neighbors. I believe that He sees your affliction
different set of norms and values. Back home I had and He knows the troubles of your soul. He is not
emotional support of parents, relatives and friends. Here necessarily plucking you out of darkness, but while you
I had no one to give me that kind of support. I had a hard are there, He is with you.
time adapting to the surroundings and adjusting to the
university life and understanding the new system of As I am getting old, I realize that I don’t have the energy
education where you are expected to think independently and adequacy I used to have. My body tends to be
to solve problems rather than memorizing from notes and weaker and the sharp memory I once had is waning. And
books. It was not an easy task for me to grasp the yet as I looked back, no matter what has happened in my
extensive syllabus and I had to work very hard to keep up life, God was there to pick me up, dust me off and
with the never-ending homework and tests. I long to encourage me to go on.
have a good roommate or friend with whom I could
confide my sorrows and frustrations. I used to cry and When we worship and follow God, we may have more
say to myself if God is real why He is not helping me or questions than answers. That is why surveying the
answering my prayers. Even though I had doubts and strange ways of God, Paul says in 1Cor 1:25: “What
fears, I must say my dependency on God has increased seems to be the foolishness of God is wiser than human
but my faith continued to be on a roller coaster ride. wisdom and what seems to be God’s weakness is
Although I felt guilty being that way, I used to console stronger than human strength.”
myself saying even John the Baptist, while he was in
prison sent his disciples to Jesus to ask Him “Are you the “Great is Thy Faithfulness,
one who is to come or should we wait for someone else?” Great is Thy Faithfulness,
How do you wrestle with a God who doesn’t meet your Morning by morning Thy mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand has provided;
expectations?
Great is Thy Faithfulness Lord unto me.”
When I lost my husband in 2010, I was not ready for this *Note: Dr. Anna A. Panackal, received PhD in Chemistry from Temple
tragedy and scarcely new how to go on. I was anxious, University, Philadelphia in 1972. Worked as Research Investigator in the
nervous, panic-stricken, confused and uncertain. When Department of Physics at the University of Pennsylvania developing
high-performance rare-earth polymers for optical amplification relating to
this happens, our thoughts may be jumbled and our life
fiber optics, till retiring in 2004.

RELFECTIONS ON THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Revd Dr. Valson Thampu
There is something worse than ingratitude. And that is denotes inner un-freedom. Hence the Commandment,
insincere gratitude, which adds untruth to ingratitude. ‘You shall not covet’. Covetousness constrains freedom.
Yet, our religious life abounds in this spiritual aberration. Covetousness is ineradicable from a ‘self’ un-liberated by
God is Spirit. Those who worship him must worship him God. God confronts us, in practical terms, as the
‘in spirit and truth’. But, from the dawn of the human mandate to grow towards perfection. We need to love
religious consciousness, untruth has had a substantial God with the whole of our being –body, mind, and spirit-
presence in religiosity. Else, the emphasis with which because that is the way we grow holistically. In biblical
Jesus prescribes that God must be worshipped in truth thought, growth is the essence of freedom.
would have been superfluous.
Jesus came to ‘set the captives free’. Spiritual captivity
To Jesus, untruth lurks in the public domain, which is a inheres in human littleness, or under-development. Jesus
sphere of appearances, not of truth. He insisted that the presents ‘the grain of wheat that is not sown’ as a
craving for publicity should be excluded from the religious metaphor of self-centredness. The tragedy of this state is
discipline we practice, which is the main concern in the that the grain remains alone. This ‘alone-ness’ is a state
6th chapter of St. Matthew in relation to alms-giving, that precludes the need and opportunities for growth,
praying and fasting. Far too often, the craving ‘to be seen preferred by the ‘third servant’ in the parable of the
by men’ gets the better of us. We showcase a religiosity, talents, who went and buried his talent. Love for the
in tune with the prevailing pietistic stereotypes, we simply Master is authenticated by growth. Enthusiasm, or infinite
do not feel or value in life. passion, is a catalyst for growth, provided it is aligned to
wholesome purposes. The talent entrusted to me will
The irony of this must be recognized. We believe that grow only if I have a positive, growth-oriented nature.
God is all-knowing. He knows, as King David says, ‘the Selfishness excludes this. Selfishness, which minds the
truth of our inward parts’. So, it is futile to pretend to be advantage of the self alone, cripples us with insecurity. It
otherwise than we really are. Yet, we do pretend, in order disables us in relation to the risk-taking necessary for
to be seen in a favourable light by others. The funny thing ensuring our growth and fulfilment. To play safe is to live
is that they too, like us, do not care for what we show off sterile.
to them as our merit. If they had, they would have seen
through our play-acting and condemned us outright! Our The seed of freedom is within us. No one can be truly
religious life is riddled with this tension between the eye free, as Jesus said, unless one is inwardly free. Jesus is
of God and the eye of man. the giver and guarantor of that inner freedom. Hence the
teaching, ‘If the Son of Man makes you free, you shall be
How does this come into being? free indeed.’ Sadly, this has been understood in a cultic
sense for long. How does the Son of Man set us free? By
We know it is right, proper and necessary to give thanks eradicating the external constrains of freedom? No, those
to God. Life brims with the logic and need for gratitude. external constraints will remain; for they are common to
What we are, everything we have is God’s gift. To us and others. Instead, we are given the inner strength
acknowledge anything as God’s gift is to recognize and resources to relate to our contexts riddled with un-
oneself to be under the obligation to cherish it. To freedom, freely and fruitfully. This enables us to expand
cherish, in spirit and truth, is to put what is received to the the niche of our personal freedom in the given context.
proper use. By doing so, we cherish the giver of the gift We are free not because of, but in spite of, our
through the gift. The proof that we do so in relation to circumstances. That is to say, God is the condition of our
God is that we grow towards perfection, which is God’s freedom.
will concerning us (Mt 5: 48). There is no margin for
gratitude to God, in regard to anything in our life, if we This principle is at work in the miracles Jesus performed.
stay indifferent to the worth of who we are, the amazing Miracles become necessary because external limitations
potential this implies, and the unique relevance of all of are real and powerful. Miracles become possible only
this to the plan of God for the world at large. The spiritual when the power to break the shackles of these conditions
truth is that gratitude is a sign of perfection. This too has is brought to bear on the given situation. This is what it
a logic of its own. means to have faith. The Good News is that this power is
real. But it can be acquired and exercised only via
To be able to give thanks to God, one should have the personal growth in tune with God’s will and purpose for
giving-orientation. Giving denotes a state of inner us. The God-alienated ‘self’ remains a nucleus of
freedom; whereas covetousness, or the craving to impossibilities for the reason that it is hamstrung by the
receive, indeed receive out of proportion to one’s merit, asymmetry of power. The little, un-evolved self, is
powerless in relation to the constraints that abound in the
circumstances. When the same ‘self’ abides in God – like

the sown grain of wheat abiding in the earth – it grows hidden till then of your under-development, became an
and expands; and, like the mustard seed of the Kingdom objective reality staring at you as though it is an external
of God, it sends its branches ‘to the end of the earth’. force. In the first instance you feel the joy of experiencing
a harmonious correlation between what you are inwardly
Not surprisingly, therefore, ‘harvest’ is a metaphor for the and what you expressed yourself in the public domain as
context and logic of thanks-giving. What is common to yourself. It is this incarnated truth that holds the secret of
thanks-giving and harvest is the ‘giving-quotient’. Harvest your happiness. In the case of an amateur speaker, there
is what nature gives to us. The irreducible element in is a yawning gulf between the two. The more one
thanks-giving, likewise, is giving. How can anyone give develops and perfects one’s skills as a public speaker,
thanks to God, or to anyone, if he or she doesn’t have the the narrower does this gap become, till a stage is reached
spirit of gratitude, the spirit of giving? If the capacity for in which the inner state and its external articulation
gratitude is real, it will work in our relationship to fellow become one. This is the state of ‘perfection’ that Jesus
human beings, not less than in our attitude to God. envisaged when he said, ‘Be perfect, even as your Father
in heaven is perfect’.
There are two modes of giving. The first is giving as an
act of freedom and generosity of the spirit. It has a Paul lays bare for us the misery in the state of spiritual
celebratory air about it. One gives, because it is under-development in his Letter to the Romans. He
expressive of one’s inner state; and does so, without any struggles in his spiritual life, like an amateur artist in
expectations of returns. In the second category, one relation to public speaking. He fails to express in deeds,
gives as an investment. This mode of giving is driven by the good that he experiences within. There is a chasm
covetousness. We give, not because it is natural to us to between the inner and the outer life, which is the bane of
give, or we express ourselves in truth through the giving, under-development. Thanksgiving of the truthful and
but because we believe that by giving, we receive back sincere kind is alien to such a state. One can, then, only
what we give, multiplied several folds. It is a sort of safe play-act gratitude.
and profitable investment. It is a sobering fact that the
thanks we give to God is mostly of this kind. It is Yet, we make the tear the air with our ‘prayer and praise’
covetous giving. Yet we are commanded to not covet! exertions. We make praise a routine and a habit. We
remain indifferent to the possibility that the way we live
This illustrates the un-spirituality that lurks in our religious does not have a ghost of a chance for true thanks-giving,
life. Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of priests, not except the thanks-giving of covetousness. This makes
because he had anything in particular against them. He our thanks-giving indistinguishable from insincere flattery.
was concerned about the ascendancy of untruth in We praise God, not because such praise stems naturally
worship. Priests lead worship. So, they become, willy- from how we live the invaluable life God has given us, but
nilly, the proponents and practitioners of untruth. All who because we believe that, by praising God, we can bribe
aid and abet them in perpetuating this desecration of the God into granting us unmerited favours.
sacred –abomination in the holy place, in the words of the
book Revelation- are equally condemnable. It should be We need to understand this aright. It can be hugely
unacceptable to those who love God that, He who is helpful and liberative, if we do so. This we can do, to
truth, is worshipped via un-truth. It merits condemnation. begin with, by considering another significant religious
phenomenon: the drying up of the wellsprings of
Lord Buddha sensed this contradiction in relation to revelation. There was a time when God revealed himself
animal sacrifice. God is compassionate. How can He be, to the people either directly or through his chosen
then, worshipped through animal sacrifice, which is servants. He doesn’t seem to do so anymore; at least to
ritualistic cruelty? How can cruelty be a legitimate the same extent and in the same fashion. Why?
medium for worshipping God who is compassionate?
Jesus addressed the same contradiction, but in relation The false way to understand this is by instituting a conflict
to truth. God is truth. But people worship God through between revelation and reason. That is, by insisting that
untruth. How can this be? what is made available to humankind via revelation is
inaccessible to human reason. Reason is irrelevant to
This illustrates the otherwise shocking statement with God’s self-revelation. Yet, we also believe –though this is
which I began. It is far better to be ungrateful to God than rather assumed than stated explicitly- that God is
to insult him by mouthing insincere gratitude. Supreme Reason. At least we do not assume that
irrationality is an attribute of God. An irrational God is also
The core element in gratitude is joy. Thanks-giving is the an arbitrary God, who cannot be related to in a purposive
outward expression of the inner joy. But joy, unlike and meaningful way.
pleasure, pertains to human growth and the fruitfulness in
life it facilitates. You make, say, an excellent speech in Historically speaking, revelation and reason are mutually
which your capacities are fully exercised in developing a complementary. Revelation was necessary at a time when
theme of wider significance. You experience pure human beings were not developed adequately in their
joyfulness. Suppose you make a clumsy effort. It makes rational, or thinking, capacity. In all likelihood, they would
you miserable. In this case, the inner reality that remained have arrived at the substance of the revealed truth about

God in due course, if God had not, by means of miraculously. Maintaining oneself in health through a
revelation, shortened the human quest for understanding healthy way of life is at least as spiritual as being healed
God. Revelation quickened human rationality by bringing miraculously; especially if the need for the latter arose
humankind under the obligation to understand what was because of living indifferently. Surely, it is improper for us
revealed with the help of reason. Human reason is a to expect God to do for us, what we would not do for
particulate residue of Divine Reason. If God were ourselves?
irrational, we would have been utterly incapable of
reason; for we are, after all, ‘created in the image and This too needs to be understood spirituality, and not
likeness of God’. We are a mirror, held up to the person superstitiously and covetously, as we are wont to. What
of God. That points to the awesome responsibility does it mean to seek the will of God? In relation to what?
inherent in being human. We know how far we have vulgarised this spiritual
discipline. Should I buy this car or that, choose this job or
The second spiritual truth we need to consider in this that, marry this person or that, buy this lottery ticket or
regard is the economy of God. That is to say, God does that? So, go the avenues of our seeking God’s will?
not dabble in superfluities. At any rate God does not
belittle what he has invested in the unique creation of We think - and say so unthinkingly - that we seek the will
human beings. God responds miraculously to the human of God concerning us; whereas that happens rarely in
condition, especially the pressing needs that exist or Christendom. We do not seek the will of God concerning
emerge in specific contexts, only if the natural means for us, but only concerning what we covet. That is why I have
meeting them are non-existent. It is superfluous to feed emphasised, in this piece, that our relationship to God is
the five thousand miraculously, if all of them are armed coloured by covetousness. Contrary to what we assume,
with their tiffin! the merchants of the prosperity gospel are less
hypocritical than their non-prosperity-gospel Christian
brethren, in this regard. They have no inhibitions in
showcasing Christianity as a religion of covetousness. We
are subtler and indirect in this respect, as compared to
them. But we are equally covetous; except that not
equally willing to admit that we are so. Our covetousness
is camouflaged in hypocrisy. If the desire to get, and to
get in excess of what we merit, is excluded from the
Christianity we practise, it is anybody’s guess as to what
will be left of it.
What we need to seek is God’s will concerning us, not

what we crave for ourselves. This we will do only if we
recognize that God has a plan for each one of us, and
that the light that we are mandated to be pertains to that
purpose.
An important implication in the biblical account of the

Creation is that everything, the whole of the created
order, exists together in the Mind of God. Every particle of
Creation exists in a state of organic and holistic inter-
relationship. There is nothing superfluous in Creation.
This means that every individual life is significant and has
its appointed place in the total scheme of things. Jesus’
hyperbolic statement that ‘even the hairs on your head
are numbered’ in God’s scheme of things makes sense in
this light. The economy of God’s creation implies that
what we are to do, no one else can do. So, if we do not
fulfil God’s plan for us, we create, thereby, a gap in the
chain of being. The fact that we do so unwittingly, does
not make it any less inexcusable.
Now consider this historical-cultural phenomenon, so

familiar to all of us. A sense of absurdity and aimlessness
plagues the human condition in the modern age. The
God provides the means and circumstances relevant to advent of Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ has only made our
our growth and development. Those who use them, like species more vulnerable to depression and suicide. What
the ‘good and faithful servants’, develop the means to could be the reason for it?
meet their needs. They have no need to be helped

We can formulate a spiritual understanding of this What is invested in us at birth is the potentiality for
disturbing reality. Depression is a symptom, not the fulfilling our person-specific roles in the total plan of God.
disease per se. It symptomizes human under- We have to grow progressively into the fullness of that
development in relation to the plan of God for each role. This affords an important insight into Christian
individual as well as humankind as a whole in relation to nurture and upbringing, for which ‘equipping the saints’ is
the rest of the Creation. Individuals consign themselves to Peter’s memorable idiom. Personal growth, understood
existential irrelevance through their all-consuming spiritually, is growth in relation to the larger plan of God.
eagerness to secure worldly significance and security via No one grows spiritually, just by being hyperactive in self-
material means. So, people have ‘everything to live with, service. As a matter of fact, the more one does so, the
but nothing to live for’. They exist ‘by nature’ unnaturally; more one shrinks into irrelevance and existential
whereas human beings are to exist relevantly by the Will barrenness, which breeds misery and self-revulsion.
of God. In the latter case, they succeed in fulfilling God’s
plan for them and for the world at large. Gratitude denotes a quality of life, a state of mind and
soul, contrary to this. We can feel gratitude to God only if
Our relevance has to be in relation to something beyond we are in communion with him and are not being
us, just as the relevance of a chair or a table lies in its alienated from him. To be ‘in communion with God’ is to
being used by human beings. As a rule, purpose be co-workers with God in relation to the big-picture of
transcends the person or object concerned. The life. In Jesus’ view, we are the salt of the earth and the
absurdity in the modern worldview and the myth of the light of the world. That is the big-picture. To be godly is to
autonomous, self-contained individual’ it fosters, lies in be actively and dynamically mindful of it. This is a
the insistence that the meaning of our life must be fulfilled blessing, as it offers to individuals an unlimited canvas for
strictly in relation to ourselves. Jesus’ parable of the rich personal growth and fulfilment. It also protects them
fool is especially illuminating in this regard. He illustrates against complacency, arrogance and shallowness.
the self-destructive absurdity of living entirely to oneself,
which drains one’s life of all significance. Such a life In conclusion, we have to grow continually in our capacity
condemns individuals to living deaths. for gratitude. It’s a contradiction to strain after the attitude
of gratitude; for gratitude is nothing if not spontaneous.
At this point we return, more pointedly, to the theme of Forced or contrived gratitude is no gratitude. It is a tacit
sincere, truthful gratitude. The preceding discussion was confession of the incapacity for gratitude. King David,
meant to reveal the fallacy in the naïve and baseless whatever his other failures be, was not wanting in this
notion that gratitude is natural and native to human capacity. That’s why he ‘danced for joy’ in the presence
beings. It is not! Jesus did not find gratitude in the many of God. To dance gratitude is to become gratitude to the
he helped. Those who benefited from his mighty deeds of last cell of one’s being.
compassion deserted him. His foremost disciple denied Such an ecstatic state of gratitude cannot be acted out.
him. Judas betrayed him. We should not take our Attempts to choreograph it into something spiritually
capacity for gratitude for granted. Instead, we have to livewire aggravates hypocrisy. The repugnant reliance, in
earn the merit to be spiritually grateful in a sincere and the medium of offensive untruth, on ‘speaking in
truthful way; and earn it the hard way. tongues’, for example, as a proof of being intimate with
God –as is implied in speaking to God in a language
As a rule, attaining what is simple and effortless hardly exclusive to God and the free – wagging tongue of
awakens gratitude. Earning the merit to be grateful is not glossolalia – marks the zenith of this cult of hypocrisy. It
unlike climbing the Everest. It is a long and hazardous merely blurts ingratitude in the garb of gratitude. It is
trek to the summit. Each step taken in that direction, each perversely untrue and hypocritical that anyone, who
level of difficulty surmounted, activates gratitude. It erupts stagnates and languishes in shallow and escapist
into ecstasy when the summit is reached. There one goes religiosity, can experience even a wisp of sincere
mad with joy! gratitude to God. This is as impossible as a person who
feels sincere gratitude to God keeping it as a suppressed
The ‘summit’ of human achievement is fulfilling the plan secret. No one, said Jesus, lights a lamp and puts it
God has for an individual in relation to the Whole. God is under a bushel. A person of true gratitude is comparable
not ‘partial’ to anyone for the reason that His concerns to a lamp lit and placed on the lampstand, ‘so that it gives
embrace the whole of the Creation. The individual light to all in the house’
specificity we are given, the talents entrusted to us, the
locales of time and space in which we are placed, and Gratitude is light.
much else besides, point to a specific and irreducible
It is kindled by growth. Growth is truth. Truth
purpose God has each person. This purpose will not be
fulfilled automatically; that is, just by our being around as liberates.
individuals. God respects our freedom of choice. So, it is Gratitude is the national anthem of the
up to us to fulfil or to neglect God’s plan for us. But it is liberated.
not up to us to forestall or resist the consequences of that
neglect.

GOD’S GREAT FAITHFULNESS AMIDST WORST OF TIMES
Revd Dr. Martin Alphonse, Portland
Introduction popular word ‘Amen’ which is the Greek translation of the

Hebrew word Emunah which in English literally means ‘so
God’s faithfulness manifests itself, not only in celebratory be it’ or ‘truly or verily’. Amen was used for the first time
moments like this 10th Anniversary for FOCUS, but also in in Numbers 5:11-22 in the context of a wife alleged with
moments of deep hurts, wounds and devastation of life. committing adultery making a ‘jealousy offering’. In this
As I write this article, the world’s attention is on the text, the priest makes her to drink a mixed liquid the
Russian war on Ukraine and its devastating effects on result of which will determine if she is innocent or guilty
millions of civilians in a nation, which has the largest as charged. After he clearly explains the severe
Christian population in all East Europe. The Russian consequences of lying, the woman is to say, v22 ‘Amen,
invasion has also created global level fear and panic in so be it’ and drink it the liquid. When the accused woman
people everywhere of its potential to turn into an says Amen, it means she acknowledges that God has
immanent World War III. The possibility cannot be said something, and so it will happen accordingly,
altogether denied as tensions continue to increase in the accurately because God’s word is unchangeable, non-
leadership circles of UNO, USA, NATO and EU. Even in negotiable, absolute. Period.
such severely testing times like these which immediately
follows the two-year global effects of the COVID 19 Later on, the word Emunah or Amen found a double
pandemic, the Christian Faith calls on us to trust in and emphasis in the context of congregational worship in
celebrate God’s Great Faithfulness! Nehemiah 8:6 when Ezra the priest stood up to read The
Book. He “praised the LORD, the great God; and all the
Prophet Jeremiah himself wrote the famous line ‘great is people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen Amen’.
your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22-23) at the worst time Then they bowed own and worshipped the LORD with
in the history of Israel namely, the fall of the city of their faces to the ground”. Emunah describes much more
Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple to ground than just believing a statement about God. Both the
zero, and Israel’s mass exile for 70 years to Babylon, all Hebrew word Emunah and the Greek Amen appear
of which happened as a divine act of God’s judgement on hundreds of times in the Bible in several contexts and
the people! Based on Jeremiah’s famous declaration, a forms, but every time they invariably affirm and imply the
most celebrated Christian hymn, “Great is Thy great Faithfulness of God. Hence, it is often translated as
Faithfulness” was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisolm “faithfulness”.
(1866-1960) amidst his difficult early adult life., with a
fragile health, frequent confinement to bed and his Implications of the Word Faithfulness
inability to work. After coming to Christ at age 27, he
found great comfort in the Scriptures, and in the fact that The word Amen meaning ‘so be it’ has at least three
God was faithful to be his strength in time of illness and immediate implications for us. One, it affirms God’s
weakness, and to provide his needs. Lamentations 3:22- Absolute Power. It stands for God’s truth which is firmly
23 was one of his favorite scriptures: “It is of the Lord’s established and it can never be changed under any
mercies that we are not consumed, because His circumstance what so ever. God has said it, and so it will
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great happen. Hence, it is commonly used in Jewish, Christian
is Thy faithfulness”. While away from home on a mission and Muslim worship as a concluding word or response to
trip, Thomas wrote the hymn, which was published in prayers. That’s why, Jesus Christ often placed a double
1923”. (https://www.independentbaptist.com/great-is- emphasis of His claims when he said, “Amen Amen I say
thy-faithfulness1/) to you’ (King James Version), or “Verily verily I say to you’
or ‘truly truly I say to you’, (other versions) to establish
The Etymology of the Word Faithfulness that what He said cannot and will not change under any
circumstance. So, He emphasized, “Heaven and earth will
What exactly does the word faithfulness mean? For pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew
readers unfamiliar with the term etymology, it is the study 24:35; also 5:18).
of the origin and development of words. The Oxford
Dictionary defines faithfulness as, “…loyal, trustworthy; It was precisely because Prophet Jeremiah realized and
accurate; true to fact; through in performing one’s duty; was convinced of God’s absolute sovereignty, that
conscientious”. An extended definition in the Oxford amidst a heavy devastation to the Holy Temple, and the
Advanced Learners Dictionary puts it as, “the quality of city of Jerusalem and the mass exile of Israelites to
staying with or supporting a particular person, Babylon, he was fully confident that God will one day
organization or belief’. Both of these descriptions bring order out of the present chaos. In that absolute
perfectly fit the two servants the Master commended in confidence he declared in Lamentations 3:22-24,
the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25: 21, 23 “well “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
done good and faithful servant”. However, the word for His compassion never fail. They are new every
faithfulness in the Old Testament originated from the

morning; great is thy faithfulness. I say to myself, “The
LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him”. " Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
Prof. Elias Abraham, Baltimore*
Two, it affirms the God’s Absolute Person. Faithfulness is
an essential characteristics of God's ethical nature. It
denotes not only His firmness, consistency and The light moving through the sparkle,
constancy of His relations with humans, especially with scattering and fracturing the dreamy sky,
His covenant people, but it represents His very integrity. It softly sings in me,
is an aspect of God's absolute truth and His “Great is His faithfulness.”
unchangeableness. It means, since God is faithful, Words, like butterflies,
reliable and firm in what He has spoken, He will take care
flap, and spread the gospel of love.
of everything accordingly.
The universe, the silent witness
Doubting God’s faithfulness in a given circumstance is an to hope's satiation, unfolds its wings.
affront to Him. Wasn’t that the very first sin of humans, of The thousand rainbows of peace and faith
Adam and Eve? Satan very craftily and successfully bloom with joy and mirth.
sowed seeds of doubt and persuaded them to believe in The age old stories that cross the threshold
the potential dishonesty of God. Genesis 3:4-5 “You will
of rhythms and beats,
not surely die … For God knows that …” Their disbelief in
God’s integrity preceded their disobedience to His make my heart, soft and supple.
instructions. Hence, doubting God’s Great faithfulness is The lunar brightness eventually eclipses;
a most dangerous premise to step into. So, by saying the sylvan clothes of Nature rustle in cooling breeze.
Amen we affirm that we believe in Him absolutely, The desert opens before me,
resonating with Paul as he emphatically declares in 1 it's not for the mirage that I'm there;
Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful and I see a bleeding man in ragged robes,
He will do it.”
withstanding the harsh winds upon the sandy bed,
Three, it affirms God’s Absolute Promises. Apostle Paul and the echoing rays of an angry sun,
used the word Amen frequently in his writings. One of his loudly praying; his eyes are fires,
strongest usages is found in 2 Corinthians 2:18-20, “But his sound resembled the thunders of the East.
as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not Angels hovered around him-
"Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who
he was praying in complete faith,
was preached among you by us-by me and Silas and
He is not an exile, not a man of evil,
Timothy was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always
been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has he is God's person, bringing joy to the Lord,
made, they are "Yes" in Christ”. The essential meaning of with flamboyant faith, he overcomes.
the word Amen being ‘so be it’, fully relying on that root I fall on my knees, tears welling up in my eyes.
meaning Paul further affirmed ‘so it will be’!
Many slogans we listen to, such as,
Moffatt’s translation of 2 Corinthians 1: 19-20 puts it as,
“The divine Yes has at last sounded in Him, for in Him 'One World - One Dream', 'Together for a shared Future',
(Christ) is the Yes that affirms all of the promised of God.” and the hollowness we experience,
The global evangelist missionary Dr. E. Stanley Jones’ goes beyond the times.
final book entitled “The Divine Yes” is an expansive Let's embrace our faith, and let's proclaim,
commentary of Moffatt’s translation of 2 Corinthians 1: 'Great is His Faithfulness', the assurance
19-20 focusing on the words “The divine Yes has at last from above, showering rains of honey
sounded in him”. Jones voice recorded the contents of
and dew drops of comfort in our souls.
the book while in the hospital recovering from a stroke’.
(https://www.estanleyjonesfoundation.com/2021/06/the-
divine-yes/). Here's the voice of truth,
here are the songs of hope, for those suffering
Conclusion Yes, there is the continuing impact of the in the agony of indifference;
pandemic. Yes, there is a war going on and we keep on when the mother of the destitute to the slums
hearing rumors of immanent wars. Yes, there are
traveled, we knew, what her intentions were!
devastations all around us. Amidst of it all, we are called
upon to declare as did Prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations Does God's love inspire us?
3:22-24, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not Bells do ring, echoes make echoes,
consumed, for His compassion never fail. They are new scattering equations within the computations.
every morning; great is thy faithfulness”, and we march on
singing in gusto Thomas Obadiah Chisolm’s immortal In these days of gloom and doom,
hymn “Great is Thy faithfulness”!
and doomsayers do abound us,

when artificial viruses kill the world, as a lover of true religion; but in a way that can be
and selfishness honks in myriad ways, mistaken as hostility to religions. This truth comes to the
a soft and comforting voice dwells, fore, however, only when the argument of the book is
the voice of the voiceless, understood in its totality.
the sweet song of the paradise;
“Great is His Faithfulness.” The book has, I understand, an uncommon genesis. The
author had a long association with the late Swami
In the boiling cauldron of sins Agnivesh, perhaps the most outstanding religious and
man falls like moths and reenters social reformer India has had in the last half century. The
as agents of destiny, and disciples of greed. author had several discussions with Swamiji on the nature
Post truths colorfully attired, of religion and the dynamics of religious decay in our
govern the world and the milky way. times. In the terminal stage of his life, Swami Agnivesh
Kindness and culture like the midnight breeze requested the author to write a book ‘so as to initiate the
pass on, without offering the comfort one wants. long-overdue debate on religion’. ‘Communal religiosity
The crown of glory waits for no one, will prove,’ he said, ‘the undoing of India’. Sadly, Swami
for none has the power to challenge, Agnivesh did not live to see the book published, but he
where myths and fables control the truths. survived long enough, though in the hospital, to read and
approve the first draft of the book. Not surprisingly, the
God watches, and to the bewildering world, book is dedicated to Swami Agnivesh.
He says, 'Faith is not fickle.'
In the preface to the book, the author states: “Struggle
And the wings of faith are now spread and visible.
and soul-searching through a quarter of century of inter-
Far away beyond the cross, among the clouds,
religious involvements locally and nationally, especially
the Master appears and reassures.
those affecting the poor and the oppressed, underlie the
substance of this work. Encountering realities has
Prof. Elias Abraham, formerly of
schooled me in the need to transcend religiosity which,
Chengannur Christian College, Faculty
by its very nature, tends to be divisive and exclusive.”
of English, currently serves as a
Parochial religiosity leads to spiritual alienation, resulting
member of the Editorial Board of The
in the perversion and frustration of all spiritual values.
Messenger, a publication of the
Diocese of North America and Europe The author challenges readers to feel the dehumanising
of the Mar Thoma Church. He writes poetry and is a trends prevalent globally in religiosity today. He writes not
recipient of Editor's Choice Award by the National Library to comfort the readers by raising a smoke-screen against
of Poetry, USA. reality, but to stimulate them into thinking relevantly. His
concern is that religious fervour today is not informed by
Book Review religious understanding, which he deems the source of
the aberrations that abound today. Drawing a distinction
‘Beyond Religion: Imaging a New Reality’. By Valson between ‘faith’ and ‘the faith’ he argues that worship,
Thampu, published by Pippa Ram book & Media, UK, rituals and traditions, while they have their place, are no
2021.Pp. 384. ISBN: 978,1-913738-08-02. substitute for critical thinking and continuous growth in
the Spirit towards maturity and wholeness. Spiritual
In Beyond Religion, the author, poverty, symptomatized by subjugation and slavery to
well-known as a prolific writer, human authority as an alternative to seeking ‘the
visionary educationalist, social Kingdom of God and His justice’ (Mt 6: 33), underlies the
reformer, political commentator ascendancy of the priestly class in authoritarian and
and theologian, deals with an institutionalized religions. As a member of the
existential issue of growing establishment for long, he has the ring-side knowledge
significance for humankind in and experience to speak authoritatively about these
respect of religion. Not issues confidently and objectively. And he has the
surprisingly, the insights in the courage to articulate his convictions and concerns,
book into what religions have unmindful of consequences. This imparts a prophetic
come to be, as against what they ought to be, challenge tone to the book.
the reader. In doing so, the author incurs – deliberately,
as it seems – the risk of being misunderstood. He writes

Here’s the assumption that underlies the theme of this mediated through the finitude of human beings, is
book: “To be spiritually sane and sound one has to vulnerable to distortions not only to human finitude, but
outgrow religions.” Spiritual growth is a movement also to the immaturity that stalks that finitude.” He goes
towards fullness of life, which is an antidote to on to argue that the urgent spiritual agenda should be the
covetousness. Covetousness is identified as the ‘dividing liberation of God from His communal, religious and racial
line between religion and spirituality’. The author argues captivity; for example, in limiting God as the ‘God of
for a shift in foundation from religion to spirituality, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,’ and similar other religious
which social spirituality is of strategic significance in the formulae by which God is turned into exclusive racial-
Indian context. He explains spirituality as the outworking regional-religious assets as per the infantile formula,
of the nature of God in the form of the four universal ‘There is only one God; and that God is only mine. And
values: love, truth, justice and compassion for humanity my God is universal.’
as a whole. An integration of faith and action, belief and
behaviour, is the hallmark of true spirituality and it is In the 11th Chapter, titled ‘Corona-days and Beyond’, the
incarnated best as social spirituality as ‘the good news to author focuses on the realities unveiled by the pandemic.
the poor’. COVID-19 has significantly altered our patterns of
worship. We have already moved from the in-person
This book is not an easy read. For one thing, its thematic worshiping routine to a virtual mode. We are beginning to
canvas is vast, and it takes time to appreciate its realize the dictum of the writer of ‘The Cloud of
contours, lights and shades. Like any great painting, we Unknowing’: “Nowhere physically is everywhere
begin to attain new insights, and we grow in our spiritually.” The author states that “post-COVID-19
admiration, when we keep looking at it for a while. religiosity needs to be free from divisive, exclusive
Secondly, the book surprises the reader, ever and anon, presumptions of superiority and inferiority. . . The prime
with the unfamiliar in the familiar. Thirdly, the author purpose of religion must be to seek perfection in the art
states his case in generalities, which means that of living. Relevance is the litmus test of perfection. In the
specificity is compromised in favour of universality. He crucible of human suffering in the wake of the pandemic,
leaves the hermeneutic task – the application of general the irrelevance of religious obsessions to the human
principles to specific contexts – to the readers. His style, condition has been exposed. Disputing the colour and
besides, makes the substance seem more exotic than it contour of afterlife, even as we remain clumsy charlatans
is. To those who do not feel intimidated by these, and are in the art of living here and now with meaning and dignity,
not offended by the unorthodox, the reading of the book is banal. “It distracts us from present and pressing tasks.
could prove a refreshing and rewarding experience. The religion for tomorrow needs to be discerningly and
proactively this-worldly. It has to equip and challenge
The book comprises fourteen chapters, beginning with human beings to lead a meaningful, effective and
the deliberately provoking question in chapter one, ‘Why dignified life.” The author identifies a number of factors
shed religion?’ In chapter two, he makes a case for social for post-COVID-19 religious life such as: a shift from faith
spirituality. In the succeeding chapters he deals with a to reason, believers becoming thinkers as well, loving
wide array of significant topics and religious phenomena God and humanity, importance of the value of life,
such as ‘religion and reason’ (chapter 3) ‘setting God free’ marginalising religious middle men and resisting the
(chapter 4), the need to shift from religion to spirituality political misuse of religion.
(chapter 5), a critique of priest-craft (chapter 6), in ‘the
new earth’ (chapter 7), he argues for the enunciation of a In the 12th chapter, the author raises the all-important
new spiritual vision relevant to life at the present time. A question, ‘What shall we do?’ The author’s suggestions
shift from having to being is stressed in this chapter. The are stated best in his own words: “The very first thing that
vision for the post-COVID global community is we need to do is to wish passionately to be free and at
blueprinted in the succeeding chapters. peace with one oneself. The second is to be willing to do
whatever we can to achieve that end. The third is to
A key task the author sets for himself is to re-examine the acknowledge that means for our liberation and inner
idea of God in religions. He states his basic article of faith coherence is at our disposal. The fourth is to realize that it
in this regard boldly. “No human idea of God, at any given is futile to wait to be liberated by some agency external to
point in time . . . can be complete or final. The idea of us, when everything required for us to liberate ourselves
God is not static in any religion . . . Religions . . . tend to is ready to hand. We must resolve to be liberated, no
freeze one’s idea of God and how God is related to . . . It matter what the cost; get up from where we are, and
is not the essence of God that changes, but our walk!” This is the essence of the book, which urges us to
understanding of that essence. The infinitude of God, take ourselves and our responsibilities seriously and to do

it now; because it is in the here and now, we live and
The Origins of FOCUS Journal
move. What Goethe said rings true in this context: “If only

each man would sweep the area in front of his own door
step, the whole city will be clean.” Self-awareness and The idea of starting an online magazine came to our mind
self-cleansing are the necessary prelude to our spiritual by Lord’s divine intervention, when Dr. Zac Varghese
journey. suggested about organizing an international conference
in a city in the U. S. A., like those held at Santhigiri,
To deepen as well as to put in perspective reflections on Alwaye, from 1999 to 2003. We thought about this idea
these and other important themes, the author relies on or prayerfully, and realized that most people who attended
quotes thinkers, writers and philosophers. Their the previous conferences are now retired, aged, some are
contributions are acknowledged through extensive confined to homes, and few entered eternal rest. We
footnotes (pages 287 to 384 of the book). A careful study thought about the struggle and effort to bring these
of this section is equally important to digest the dense people together, just for a seminar for one or two days
and provocative thoughts of the author. When I read the and staying in hotels. Therefore, we thought about
book, I realised the truth of the sentiments and alternative strategies to reaching out to them by starting
appreciations expressed by Dr. Sunil Chandy (former an online publication and send it to all people by e-mail
Director, CMC, Vellore), Dr. Ram Puniyani (prolific author and also at the same time upload to public web sites
and political commentator) and Prof. Prabhu Guptara without expenses to be incurred. We registered FOCUS as
(academic, poet and publisher) at the release of this a non-profit corporation in Texas and thus thus FOCUS
book. It is not a book just to be read, but to be chewed
online journal came into existence in April 2013. Initially,
we struggled hard to find authors to write good quality,
and digested. In some chapters the ideas and arguments
engaging, articles based on important contextual themes.
are repetitive; perhaps because strategic repetitions are
Now, after 10 years, we are here, with about 200,000
deemed a mnemonic aid by the author. The book is a
online readers/subscribers of social media groups and
timely and significant contribution for promoting good
about 6,000 plus e-mail subscribers. When Dr. Cherian
sense about religiosity. It is a must-study material for
Samuel, suggested the theme ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness”,
quickening our spiritual awareness and sharpening our
there was no second thought, since it is the most apt
thought processes, ridding it of the baggage of unspiritual
theme to celebrate the 10th anniversary of FOCUS. The
notions and prejudices. It is a call to ‘religious
cover pages of all previous FOCUS issues are given on
repentance’ in the sense that a need exists today for us
page 39 of this issue and you may witness the growth of
to repent of our religiosity.
FOCUS as an international journal, just by glancing
Human beings are placed on the earth by ‘God, our loving through these pages.
Father’ on purpose. Every human being is a mystery,

deserving of love and reverence. Within the ‘I-Thou’
Faith without deeds is in vain. Our mission and FOCUS is
to enlighten this truth equip the Diaspora Christian
attitude the ‘I’ is incomplete without the ‘Thou’. The
communities from India living around the world instead
‘other’ is not a stranger, but a neighbour, God’s gift, to be
by being a mere worshipping community. To conclude let
cherished and cared for. We are created and blessed by
me quote what David Platt wrote in his book, “Taking
the God of love who is our home even on the earth.
Back Your Faith from American Dream Radical”: “We
Spirituality is the outworking of this indwelling in the God
were settling for a Christianity that revolves around
of love. No religiosity or religio-political advocacy that
catering to ourselves when the central message of
militates against this foundational truth should be
Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.”
acceptable, irrespective of the religion practised. To be
When we do not live in Christ or for the gospel and not
human is to belong together as children of God. Beyond
leaping in our faith, we are settling around catering
Religion is an agonised plea to share with all others the
ourselves, while the central message of Christianity is
light of the divine love that transcends labels and limits. actually about leaping in faith and abandoning ourselves.
May the Lord, enable each one of us to live in Christ and
I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this
for the gospel by becoming a letter from Christ to the
book to readers of diverse interests. I am sure that those
Diaspora and community and to the world.
who read it seekingly will invite others to this book. This

book can be ordered using the link:
Geat is thy faithfulness to FOCUS all these years, enabling
https://pipparannbooks.com/product/beyond-religion- us to continue the faith journey for the glory of the Lord.
imaging-a-new-humanity/
Dr. Zac Varghese, London Lal Varghese, Esq. Dallas, For the FOCUS Editorial Board

Dr. T. John Samuel at 90: Celebrating a Canadian Mar Thoma Pioneer
Dr. Cherian Samuel, McLean, U. S. A.
mission fields in Tharayilkadavu—near Kayamkulam—and
Dr. Thenganamannil John Mukkola, in Ponnani Taluk in Malabar. Varkey Upadeshi
Samuel turned 90 on March 18, was a giant of an evangelist in the Mar Thoma Church—
2022, marking a lifetime of on par with Sadhu Kochukunju Upadeshi and Mammen
significant accomplishments as Upadeshi—leading revival meetings and conventions
a pioneering Mar Thoma across Kerala. Varkey Upadeshi was an inspiration and
immigrant to Canada in the early role model for his family—with the motto, “God will lead
1960s. This profile is a tribute to us”—through his unshakeable faith in God, his courage,
his achievements and determination, and above all, his ability to dream big and
contributions, part of a broader work hard to achieve the dream. John Samuel was a
FOCUS initiative to recognize brilliant student—who understood the importance of hard
and celebrate the Indian work from a young age—earning a first class, first rank,
Christian Diaspora. As FOCUS and three gold medals as a M.A. student in Economics at
celebrates its first decade of publication, God’s the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1957.
faithfulness remains central to its vision and mission, For the next four years or so, John Samuel taught in
manifested as well in the abundant lives of Mar Thoma various colleges in India: Union Christian College, Aluva,
pioneers. Dr. Samuel’s 2013 Autobiography, “Many Kerala; Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra; Mar Thoma
Avatars; One Life: Challenges, Achievements and the College, Thiruvalla, Kerala; Government Victoria College,
Future”, and his 2021 book, “Canada to Mint Palakkad, Kerala. In 1961, John Samuel was awarded the
Multimillionaires in Real Estate: More Immigrants Commonwealth Scholarship for Canada—along with 15
Needed”, provide important insights and useful life others, from a pool of 3000 applicants—a generous
lessons. Particularly for the Diaspora. scholarship which paid for tuition, clothing, medical care
and a marriage allowance, which helped his wife join him
Dr. Samuel arrived in Canada as a Commonwealth as a graduate student, following their marriage in
scholar in September 1961, earning a PhD in Economics December 1960.
in 1965 from the University of Toronto. Between 1969 and
1996, Dr. Samuel worked for the Canadian Government in John Samuel’s 1965 doctoral dissertation at the
various capacities, retiring as a high-ranking official. University of Toronto was on India’s Population Control,
Subsequently, Dr. Samuel founded a successful real —a key development challenge for India after its
estate business and became a trusted consultant to independence in 1947—an issue he had pondered for
Canadian Government agencies on race relations and the long. He returned to India for a year after completing his
United Nations organizations on population control. Dr. PhD—teaching at the same Victoria college in Palakkad,
Samuel also served as an Adjunct Research Professor at Kerala—but went to Canada in January 1967 on an
Carleton University, Ottawa, for 26 years, and as a immigrant visa, with his wife and his Canadian-born son.
Visiting Professor in Mexico and India. Dr. Samuel has Upon returning to Toronto, Dr. Samuel got his first job in
published extensively on immigration, demography, race Canada—as a Senior Economist for the Government of
relations and employment equity. In particular, Dr. Ontario’s Finance Department, preparing population
Samuel’s 1994 publication, “Separatism in Quebec is projections—while his wife found a job at the library.
Dead: Demography is Destiny”, received extensive
national publicity on the eve of the second Quebec Beginning in 1969, Dr. Samuel progressed steadily in his
referendum in 1995. Dr. Samuel currently lives in Ottawa, career with the Canadian Government, attaining
with his wife, Aleyamma Samuel—married for over 60 leadership positions, dealing with matters of immigration
years—three sons and their families. policy, race relations and multiculturalism, and
employment equity. After leaving the Government, Dr.
John Samuel grew up in Kerala, as the third of the nine Samuel’s consulting firm was involved in a landmark
children born to Kaanam Varkey Upadeshi and Mariamma study for the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Varkey. Kaanam Varkey (1900-1974) was a pioneering (CHRC) regarding the mismatch issue for visible minority
Mar Thoma missionary evangelist, who worked closely groups—non-white people in color/race: Black, Chinese,
with Abraham Mar Thoma (1880-1947), for establishing Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian-East Indian,

Southeast Asian, non-white West Asian, North African or Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931-2021)
Arab, non-white Latin American, person of mixed origin,
others—between representation in public service and Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a South African Anglican
overall population. The study found that racism is alive Archbishop bishop and theologian, known for his work as an
anti-apartheid and human rights activist.
and well in public services in Canada, with the barriers for He was Bishop of Johannesburg from
visible minorities not stemming from policy per se, but 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of
rooted in practice on account of negative attitudes. Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both
cases being the first black African to hold
Dr. Samuel and family have also been deeply engaged in
the position. Theologically, he sought to
community affairs at different levels: Indo-Canadians, fuse ideas from black theology with
Keralites/Malayalees, and Marthomites. In 1967, Dr. African theology.
Samuel led the efforts to launch the India Times, the very
In 1960, he was ordained as an Anglican
first national paper for Indo-Canadians from Toronto, priest and in 1962 moved to the United
which moved to Ottawa in 1969 with Dr. Samuel and Kingdom to study theology at King's College London. In 1966
family, with his wife becoming the publisher. Dr. Samuel he returned to southern Africa, teaching at the Federal
Theological Seminary and then the University of Botswana,
served as the Editor and ran the paper for 13 years, when Lesotho and Swaziland. In 1972, he became the Theological
the interests were sold to the India Abroad publication Education Fund's director for Africa, a position based in London
from New York. Dr. Samuel also led efforts to establish an but necessitating regular tours of the African continent. Back in
Indian Immigrants Aid Society to assist recent southern Africa in 1975, he served first as dean of St Mary's
Cathedral in Johannesburg and then as Bishop of Lesotho; from
immigrants. During 1972-73, Dr. Samuel served as the 1978 to 1985 he was general-secretary of the South African
President of the India-Canada Association. In the early Council of Churches. He emerged as one of the most prominent
sixties, Dr. Samuel and family were the only Malayalees in opponents of South Africa's apartheid system of racial
segregation and white minority rule. Although warning the
Toronto, before they formed the Malayalee Association of
National Party government that anger at apartheid would lead to
Toronto in 1962. Likewise, there were only a handful of racial violence, as an activist he stressed non-violent protest
Marthomites in North America in 1961, when Dr. Samuel and foreign economic pressure to bring about universal
and family arrived in Toronto. In 1963, Rt. Revd Thomas suffrage.
Mar Athanasius, a Mar Thoma bishop at the time, visited In 1985, Tutu became Bishop of Johannesburg and in 1986 the
them in Toronto and stayed with them. In 1972, Juhanon Archbishop of Cape Town, the most senior position in southern
Mar Thoma sent Revd Abraham Lincoln as a theological Africa's Anglican hierarchy. In this position, he emphasized a
consensus-building model of leadership and oversaw the
student to Wycliffe College, Toronto—with the local
introduction of female priests. Also in 1986, he became
Marthomites providing financial support for the education, president of the All Africa Conference of Churches, resulting in
which was essential for the visa—who also served as a further tours of the continent. After President F. W. de Klerk
priest for the very first Mar Thoma Church in Canada. Dr. released the anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela from prison
in 1990 and the pair led negotiations to end apartheid and
Samuel and family were also involved in organizing introduce multi-racial democracy, Tutu assisted as a mediator
worships whenever Bishops or priests visited, when they between rival black factions. After the 1994 general election
moved to Ottawa. In 2000, Dr. Samuel and family made a resulted in a coalition government headed by Mandela, the latter
selected Tutu to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
donation of Rs. 100,000 to the Mar Thoma Church to
to investigate past human rights abuses committed by both pro
establish an endowment fund for providing educational and anti-apartheid groups. Following apartheid's fall, Tutu
assistance to the children of evangelists like their parents. campaigned for gay rights and spoke out on a wide range of
subjects, among them criticizing Israel’s treatment of
Palestinians which he described as apartheid, his opposition to
We conclude by joining the 90th birthday felicitations for the Iraq War, and his criticism of South African presidents
Dr. John Samuel with family and friends, thanking God for Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
His faithfulness through the generations (Psalm 119: 80).
As Tutu rose to prominence in the 1970s, different socio-
The manifold blessings enjoyed by Dr. Samuel and their
economic groups and political classes held a wide range of
extended families of seven brothers and two sisters are views about him, from critical to admiring. He was popular
surely the reward for Kaanam Varkey Upadeshi’s selfless among South Africa's black majority and was internationally
and zealous toils for the LORD (1 Corinthians 15: 58). praised for his work involving anti-apartheid activism, for which
he won the Nobel Peace Prize and other international awards.
He also compiled several books of his speeches and sermons
May the Lord Almighty grant many more blessed years for
Dr. John Samuel and make him a blessing to others. May The following statement from the Archbishop describes the
supreme nature of his spiritual life: “I pray each day, I live with
Dr. John Samuel’s life and ministry as a Mar Thoma
Jesus, I walk with Jesus, I want to be like Jesus, I want to learn
pioneer to Canada inspire current and future generations. from Jesus. Jesus and me are always together.” What an
amazing life! May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
For FOCUS Editorial Board
Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas For FOCUS Editorial Board

FOCUS Movement and FOCUS Journal: God’s
Abounding Faithfulness
Dr. Cherian Samuel, McLean, U. S. A.
Introduction. This essayi offers an ex-post assessmentii Movement, along with planned activities at inception, is
of the FOCUS (“For Our Christian Understanding and shown in the Appendix below.
Solidarity”) Movement—the independent lay initiative that
emerged in the Mar Thoma Churchiii in the late 1990s and Seminars. The FOCUS movement began in 1998 at the
the early 2000s—and its evolution into the FOCUS Mar Thoma Sinai Diocesan Centre at Merrick, New York,
Journal in the 2010s. With the FOCUS Journal entering its under the auspices of Alexander Mar Thoma and other
10th volume of publication this year, the essay is also a Bishops. Between 1999 and 2003, three FOCUS
celebration of God’s abiding and abounding faithfulness seminars were organized at the Santhigiri Ashram, Kerala,
to FOCUS and its founders, who chose to walk by faith in featuring Mar Thoma Bishops, clergy and other leaders.
their efforts. The assessment offered in this essay is an The first FOCUS seminar was held in 1999, on the theme,
Objective-Based Assessmentiv from a methodological “Preserving the Timeless While Adapting to the Times.”
The second FOCUS seminar was held in 2001, on the
standpoint, an approach that assesses actual outcomes
theme, “From corridors of power to expanses of divine
in relation to original objectives. The essay is divided into
grace”. The third FOCUS seminar was held in 2003, on
two sections. The first section outlines the genesis and
the theme, "Will the Diaspora community ever become a
progress of the FOCUS Movement and its evolution into
local community?". All the Seminars featured the global
the FOCUS Journal. The second section offers an
Mar Thoma Diaspora from different countries, as well as
assessment of the FOCUS Movement and the Journal
Mar Thoma Bishops, clergy and Christian leaders.
and concludes the essay.
I
The third FOCUS seminar attracted 35 registered
FOCUS Movement
delegates, 30 local guests, and 20 other leaders including
Mar Thoma Church Bishops and clergyv, and explored
Origins. During the last one hundred years or so, the Mar
Thoma Church has experienced tremendous growth and the territorial and spiritual dimensions of the Diasporic
progress, with a significant and emerging global existence. The discussions deliberated issues related to
Diaspora, albeit rooted in evangelistic teachings, identity, mission, and integration with the local
missionary fervor, and lay-centered democratic community, with a focus on developing a unified concept
structures. The motto of “every Marthomite as a of the Diaspora and formulating processes for becoming
missionary and an ambassador of the Church of Christ” a local community.
has led Marthomites to establish Christian fellowships,
congregations, parishes, and Dioceses in their local In this context, the discussion underscored the fact of the
communities. In Diaspora settings, the Church became a Mar Thoma Diaspora as a voluntary movement, unlike
key link for connecting with their homelands and other exiled communities with difficult experiences from
communities. The Mar Thoma Church has also become a ethnic, political, religious and other conflicts. The key
bridge Church, preserving the best features of the challenge is making diasporic adjustments for
Eastern traditional forms of worship and the reformation transformation, based on open communities and robust
principles of Western Churches, with strong ecumenical dialogues, with powerful possibilities for finding creative
relationships with other Churches. solutions in alien settings. In particular, the predicament
of the second-generation Diaspora was identified as the
Over the years, there has been a marked decline in the central missional concern of the FOCUS movement itself,
involvement of the laity in the ministry and life of the Mar which therefore must partner with the Mar Thoma Church
Thoma Church. As the Church became global, to provide spiritual and emotional resources to second
recognizing the impacts of cultural and socio-economic generation. The Mar Thoma Diaspora should also be
situations faced by Diaspora Marthomites became critical trusted to provide objectivity and vision—based on cross-
also for the pastoral care and mission activities of the cultural experiences—regarding the spiritual matters of
Church. The formation of the FOCUS lay movement is the Church, over and above the financial resources
best understood in this context, as a mechanism for provided.
navigating the complexities of Diaspora communities
from a faith perspective, albeit avoiding the insularity and The discussion also highlighted the diminishing roles of
ghetto mentality while attempting to preserve religious the laity in diaspora parishes, which had moved from a
and cultural heritage. Therefore, the FOCUS movement “Church of the people” to “'Church for the people”, with
was an effort by the Mar Thoma Diaspora for building the Mar Thoma Church itself becoming a clergy-centered
solidarity as a faith community within the Church, guided Church. Therefore, alternative forms of worship and
by the motto, “for the generosity to give and the humility greater lay participation in spiritual disciplines are
to receive.”. The Purpose and Mission of the FOCUS essential for diaspora parishes. Overall, the independent

nature of the FOCUS movement was deemed useful for Unfortunately, the TRACI partnership did not succeed,
generating ideas for the Church and supporting pastoral and the “Christian Mind” Series publication ceased.
duties. The consensus was that FOCUS remained
valuable as an independent lay Movement in the Church, However, the ecumenical publication initiative was
with a broader perspective and participation. The next revived and restored through the founding of the FOCUS
FOCUS seminar was scheduled for August 2005, on the Journal in April 2013—a quarterly digital publicationvii—
theme, “Renewal of the Church"; regional FOCUS aspiring to promote solidarity among the Indian Christian
seminars were planned as wellvi. Diaspora and meet their spiritual needs. Thanks to the
abounding and abiding faithfulness of the Lord Almighty,
Going forward, the FOCUS movement was expected to and the dedication and grit of many Mar Thoma pioneers;
concentrate on the following topics: (i) A wider and more the FOCUS Journal has progressed well, completing the
active participation of people, to make FOCUS as first decade of publication this year, with more than
inclusive as possible; (ii) A clear definition of the vision 200,000 online subscribers and nearly 6,000 e-mail
and mission of the FOCUS movement, with a regular subscribers. This April 2022 FOCUS Journal issue—with
newsletter for members; (iii) Enable members to the theme, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”—provides a good
internalize and incarnate FOCUS in own contexts, for illustration of its ecumenical scope, featuring contributors
fostering missional unity among members; (iv) Reinforce from different Christian denominations and geographies.
the research and communication aspects of the FOCUS Over the years, the FOCUS Journal has provided relevant
movement, underpinned by a commitment to meet the and meaningful meditations and reflections on important
unique needs of the Diaspora; (v) A book chronicling and themes like: Worship, Mystery and Symbols (April 2015);
celebrating the sagas of current Diaspora pioneers; (vi) Religion-less Christianity (October 2017); Faith, History
Objective feedback from the Diaspora experience to the and Religiosity (October 2019); A Post-COVID-19
Mother Church in Kerala. Landscape of Faith (October 2020); Be the Gospel of
Christ (April 2021); Sustainability of nature and the
FOCUS Journal Mission of the Church (January 2022).
(FOCUS FIRST ISSUE COVER PHOTO– APRIL 2013) II
Assessment. If the FOCUS Movement were to be
Origins. Notwithstanding assessed according to the Objective-based Evaluation
the momentum garnered by approach, based on a strict comparison of ex-ante
the FOCUS movement expectations and ex-post realizations, it would seem that
through the three Seminars, many of the objectives were not achieved. In this regard,
it came to an unexpected an important caveat to note is that, the ex-post
halt, with no follow-up assessment has been based primarily on documented
seminars in 2005 and evidence and limited discussions with the leaders of the
beyond, as originally FOCUS movement, with many already enjoying eternal
planned. The FOCUS rest. Therefore, this assessment may be regarded as the
movement was unable to fit beginning of a broader and deeper analysis, that could be
into the organizational and based on more detailed discussions with FOCUS leaders
administrative structures of and the Indian Christian Diaspora.
the Mar Thoma Church.
There were also negative voices and influences that Given the unexpected and untimely ceasing of the
thwarted the FOCUS movement, which came about FOCUS movement after 2003, an ex-post assessment of
solely due to the sacrificial toils of certain Diaspora its Purpose and Mission as well as its planned activities—
Marthomites.
outlined in the Appendix below—is challengingviii. This is
However, there remained an enduring interest in particularly true for the following objectives, which were
broadening the scope of the FOCUS movement beyond predicated on FOCUS movement’s continuity, and
the Mar Thoma Church. Therefore, a partnership was therefore could not be achieved: (D) Establishing and
formed with an ecumenical organization—Theological supporting structural and logistical facilities in Kerala for
Research and Communication Institute (TRACI), Delhi— visits, research, cultural and spiritual exchanges; (E)
led by Revd Valson Thampu, for supporting the “Christian
Sponsoring and supporting long-term co-operative
Mind” Series publication, intended for the entire Indian
Christian Diaspora. There was also a serious effort made programs such as sister communities and mission fields,
to nurture the ideas of solidarity and understanding for benefiting the younger generations of the Diaspora
through networking relationships, analytical work and and the homeland; (F) Developing appropriate forums for
theological research, which was disseminated through a regular discussions with the policy-making bodies of the
newsletter and other ecumenical publications. mother church for shaping Church policies related to the

Diaspora; (G) Developing appropriate training facilities for While many of the objectives of the FOCUS Movement
lay ministry and developing adult and youth lay could not be achieved, given its unexpected and untimely
leadership. On the other hand, the following objectives cessation, evidence suggests that the ideas and
may be assessed as partially achieved, though not concepts that emerged from the intimate and intense
attributable to the FOCUS movement as such, but to deliberations of the three FOCUS seminars have led to
other initiatives by the Church and the laity: (A) Spreading unexpected and indirect outcomes, though they cannot
the word of God and living out the Mar Thoma faith in be attributed to FOCUS per se. As the FOCUS Journal
host communities, pursuing integration; (B) Appreciating celebrates its first decade of publication, God’s
and respecting the Mar Thoma identity, cultural heritage abounding and abiding faithfulness—renewed and
and values; transferring values to future generations in resolved constantly—has been amazing, truly beyond
their evolving contexts; contributing to host communities; expectations and comprehension. May the Lord Almighty
(C) Maintaining strong bonds with the homeland; strengthen and sustain FOCUS as an instrument of His
promoting seminars, educational and cultural tours to the choice, as a true and tested Voice for the Indian Christian
homeland for creating awareness of the Mar Thoma Diaspora, during this post-truth phase of human history.
identity among the younger Diaspora; (H) Developing For His glory. And our good.
networking opportunities across the global Mar Thoma
Diaspora, through family conferences and other forums; Appendix: Purpose and Mission of the FOCUS
(I) Helping in building a lay-centered Church, Movement:
complementing the pastoral ministry of the clergy.
A. To spread the word of God and live up to the notion
Likewise, the assessment of the projected activities of the that “each Marthomite is an evangelist and an
FOCUS Movement, treating them as the Key ambassador of the Church of Christ” by living out our
faith through active participation in the total life of the
Performance Indicators (KPIs)ix for its Purpose and
communities around us. To explore the providential
Mission, is challenging. Given the post-200e cessation of plan in the pattern of migration and to develop
the FOCUS movement, the following KPIs could not be opportunities for integrating with host communities.
achieved: (A) Organization of seminars in different regions B. To appreciate and respect Mar Thoma identity,
of the world; (C) Diaspora Centre at Santhigiri in Kerala; cultural heritage and values; to explain these to future
(D) Establishing a Diaspora Foundation; (G) Facilitating generations in the midst of evolving cultural, social
liturgical renewal. However, the following KPIs may be and economic circumstances of the local
communities in which we live and work. Every effort
assessed as partially achieved, though not attributable to
should be made to provide distinct and specific
the FOCUS movement as such, but to other initiatives by contributions to host communities in developing a
the Church and the laity: (F) Developing youth and lay society that is peaceful, that is orderly and just. Most
leadership; (H) Facilitating pastoral ministry; (I) Organizing importantly, to answer the question Chrysostom
outreach programs. On the other hand, the following two Thirumeni posed, “Will the Diaspora community ever
KPIs may be assessed as Achieved: (B) Diaspora Sunday become the local community?”.
C. To maintain a strong bond with homeland, to promote
Celebration; (E) Publication initiatives.
and facilitate grass-root efforts such as seminars,
educational and cultural tours to homeland to raise an
Conclusions. The ex-post assessment undertaken in this awareness and the significance of Mar Thoma identity
essay suggests that the FOCUS Movement was relevant among younger Diaspora generations.
and useful at the time, in the late 1990s and early 2000s D. To establish and support structural and logistical
as the Global Mar Thoma Diaspora sought solutions for facilities in Kerala for visits, research and to initiate
navigating the complexities and challenges of host opportunities for cultural and spiritual exposure and
exchanges.
society integration, while yearning and aspiring to stay
E. To sponsor and support long-term co-operative
true to the Mar Thoma identity, with the predicament programs such as ‘sister communities, mission fields,
becoming more existential for the younger generation to establish these programs for the benefits of the
Diaspora. While the FOCUS movement ceased younger generation of both Diaspora communities
unexpectedly and timely after 2003, the embers and that of the mother church.
continued to flicker in various shades, with the dry bones F. To develop appropriate forums for continuous
coming to life (Ezekiel 37:1-10) again, with the launching dialogue with the policy-making bodies of the mother
church to help and shape church’s policies to
of the FOCUS Journal in 2013, a full decade later.
address the needs Diaspora communities.

G. To develop appropriate training facilities for lay publication of the North America and Europe Mar Thoma
ministry and the development of adult and youth lay Diocese. Information was also provided by the Mar Thoma
leadership. pioneer focus leaders.
ii
H. To develop communication facilities for networking Ex-post assessment is an evaluation of a
with various Diaspora communities across the world; project/program/activity after it has been completed. See
to develop opportunities for exchanging ideas and Independent Evaluation Group (2020) for more details.
iii
visits for members between various communities Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church or the Mar Thoma
including Diaspora family conferences. Church is part of the Kerala Syrian Christian Churches, which
I. To help in building a lay-centered Church and currently use the East Syriac and West Syriac liturgical rites of
facilitate in every way the pastoral ministry of the Syriac Christianity. The Kerala Syrian Christian Churches trace
clergy. We need an effective lay ministry and lay their origins to Apostle Thomas, traditionally believed to have
arrived on the Malabar Coast in 52 CE to preach the “Gospel”
leadership side by side with our ordained ministry for
message—the good news regarding the reconciliation between
developing long-term plans for the benefit of our
Holy God and sinful humanity through the shed blood of Jesus
communities. Laity is the intimate part of the
on the cross—following Jesus’s Great Commission to His
community representing the Church: they are the
disciples. More details may be found at the Mar Thoma Church
points where the Christian message is incarnated in website.
today’s societies; their ministry is the mission of the iv
Objective-based evaluation (OBE) is a class of evaluation
Church. The Church is a community of communities, methods that considers the extent to which objectives are
a family of families. The Church is to be a sign of achieved—with a focus on measuring outcomes against original
God’s kingdom in the world. The authenticity of that objectives—guided by a theory of change that maps inputs and
sign depends on all people, laity, priests and bishops. activities to outcomes. See Chapter 4 (“Objectives-Based
Unless we truly live as the people of God, we will not Evaluation for Accountability and Learning”) of the 2019 book
be much of a sign to ourselves or to the world. In our (“Economic Evaluation of Sustainable Development”) by Vinod
world, shattered by hatred and disunity, it is vitally Thomas and Namrata Chindarkar for a more detailed discussion.
v
important to present the Church as the sacrament of The Bishops and Clergy at the 2003 FOCUS seminar included:
unity for the world. Our communication should lead Most Revd Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Metropolitan, Rt.
us into communion, which should be made visible in Revd Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan, Rt. Revd
the community. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Rt. Revd Dr. Euyakim Mar
Coorilos and Rt. Revd Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos, Revd Valson
Mission Statement of FOCUS Movement Thampu, Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Revd Dr. M. V. Abraham,
Revd K.G. Joseph. Lay leaders included: Professor Sukumar
Azhikode, Dr. T. M. Thomas, Dr. George Zachariah, Dr. Zac
The mission of the FOCUS movement of the Mar Thoma Varghese, Mrs. Elzi Zac-Varghese, Mr. Mathew Kallumpram,
Church is to enlighten the Diaspora communities of the Dr. Roy Joseph, Dr. Sam Chacko, Dr. Abraham Thomas, Mr.
Mar Thoma Church to remain faithful to the heritage, George John and Mr. Abraham Mattackal.
identity and mission of the Church along with its vi
The international committee—comprising of Dr. Sam Chacko
traditions through effective lay leadership and by (USA), Dr. Roy Joseph (Singapore), Dr. Zac Varghese (UK)—
establishing a strong relationship with the mother Church, was tasked to continue its work and co-opt four young people
and at the same time developing a meaningful dialogue into the committee.
vii
and integration with host communities. The founding Editors of FOCUS were: Mr. Lal Varghese, Esq
(Dallas, USA); Revd Dr. M.J. Joseph (Kottayam, India); Dr.
Projected Activities of the FOCUS Movement Titus Mathew (Calgary, Canada); Dr. Jesudas Athyal
(Thiruvalla, India); Revd Dr. Valson Thampu
A. Organisation of seminars in different regions of the (Thiruvananthapuram, India); and Dr. Zac Varghese (London,
world UK). The current FOCUS Editors are: Lal Varghese, Esq.
B. Diaspora Sunday Celebration (Dallas, USA); Revd Dr. M.J. Joseph (Kottayam, India); Revd
C. Diaspora Centre at Santhigiri in Kerala Dr. Abraham Philip (Kottayam, India); Dr. Zac Varghese
D. Establishing a Diaspora Foundation (London, UK); and Dr. Cherian Samuel (McLean, USA).
viii
E. Publication initiatives In principle, the ex-post assessment could be based on a four-
F. Developing youth and lay leadership point rating scale: (i) Fully Achieved/Excellent—Performance
exceeded expectations; (ii) Achieved/Satisfactory—
G. Facilitating liturgical renewal
Performance met expectations; (iii) Partially Achieved/Partly
H. Facilitating pastoral ministry
Unsatisfactory—Performance met expectations partially; (iv)
I. Organising outreach programmes
Not Achieved/Unsatisfactory—Performance did not meet
___________________________________
expectations.
ix
KPIs are the key indicators of progress toward an intended
i The essay draws on information related to the FOCUS
result, providing a focus for operational improvement and a
Movement and the FOCUS Journal that has been published in basis for decision making.
the various issues of the Mar Thoma Messenger, the quarterly



FOCUS April 2022 - 10th Anniversary Issue

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1

Dr. Zac Varghese, London (For the Editorial Board)

The Christian Church, though one in essence as the Body

I was bewildered and lost, but the great dreams about

During summer months, the Native Indians conduct Bible

supplementary question is, “What do we understand by

Gospel is the Word of God (Logos) and it should be

What we need to seek is God’s will concerning us, not

An important implication in the biblical account of the

Now consider this historical-cultural phenomenon, so

Introduction popular word ‘Amen’ which is the Greek translation of the

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