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10, Part 3
2 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

Cover Photo: Design by Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas

Contents:
1. Editorial Dr. Cherian Samuel……………… Page 4

2. Biblio-centric Management in a Pandemic Revd Dr. Johnson Thomaskutty………….. Page 7

3. The Pandemic, which should lead us to firm faith Mrs. Mary Samuel……………. Page 10

4. On Dr. P. J. Alexander IPS (Retd.) Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph………….. Page 11

5. Glimpses of Books FOCUS Editorial Board Page 13

6. Living with the Pandemic: Lessons and Possibilities Dr. John K. Thomas…………….. Page 14

7. Book Information: Unmasking the Syriacs, The Hidden Origin of Indian Christianity......... Page 16

8. Faith of Jesus and Faith in Jesus Prof. Dr. John Parapally…… Page 17

9. Poem: Corona Pandemic and God of all Grace Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph…………. Page 19

10. Great is His Faithfulness Prof. Dr. John Daniel………. Page 20

11. A Viral Apocalypse in our Houses of Mercy Revd Dr. John T. Mathew…………. Page 23

12. Recollections from my Diaspora Journey Dr. Eapen Daniel…………. Page 25

13. Book Information, A Hindu Church and An Indian Christ FOCUS Editorial Board…………… Page 26

14. Shalabhangal: A Legacy Takes Wings Dr. Cherian Samuel…………… Page 27

15. My Five Existential Questions and Answers Mr. David Brand………….. Page 28

16. Revd Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay Elected as WCC General Secretary……………… Page 29

17. Redefining Ministry to be the Agent of Change Prof. Dr. Kanayathu C. Koshy……….. Page 30

18. Long COVID – A Portal to Reconciliation and Unity Fr. Thomas Punnapadam, SDB………… Page 34

19. Pearls of Wisdom Series 16 Dr. Zac Varghese…………… Page 35

20. Lesson and Possibilities of Living with the Pandemic Dr. Zac Varghese………… Page 36

21. Theme for October issue of the FOCUS, ‘We are all in it Together’ Page 38

3 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

EDITORIAL
Blessed summer greetings to all! As we enter the third
summer following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in early
2020, we thank the Lord Almighty for His goodness and
mercies in our lives, especially the recovery and restoration
from the pandemic. Life has steadily returned to normal,
with the re-opening of schools and offices, bolstered by
vaccines for all ages. Let’s join the Psalmist and proclaim
that the Lord is indeed good, and His mercy everlasting
(Psalm 100:5).
Let me begin by thanking God and the FOCUS Editorial
Board for the opportunity granted for serving on the Editori-
al Board since the beginning of the year (2022). It’s indeed a
privilege and honor to serve along with the current group of
Editors who have toiled hard to sustain FOCUS with previ-
ous Editors and contributors. God’s faithfulness has been
abounding and abiding—beyond expectations and compre-
hension—in using FOCUS as a Voice for the Indian Christian
Diaspora, as it celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary. As we
th
look towards the future, let us pray and hope that God’s
favor will remain with FOCUS, and expand its reach through
new contributors and readers.
The theme for the 2022 third Quarter (July-August-
September) FOCUS, “Living with the Pandemic: Lessons
and Possibilities”, is timely and appropriate, as it deals with
lessons from the past and strategies for the future. By all
accounts, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprece-
dented global catastrophe with wide-ranging, far-reaching
effects. As of June 10, 2022, there have been 534,439,577
confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, including 6,307,218
deaths, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The
pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of
color, the poor, and the Less Developed Countries (LDCs).
The economic costs have been significant, with global eco-
nomic growth negative in 2020 (-3.2%), but recovering in
2021 (5.9%), with an estimated 4.4% growth rate in 2022,
as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There has
been tremendous economic dislocation, with millions of
people falling into poverty, with continued supply chain bot-
tlenecks, energy price volatility, and rising inflation, com-
pounded by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
An overarching broad lesson from the pandemic has been
the recognition that “We are all in this together”. However,
in the United States for instance, COVID-19 has dispropor-
tionately impacted people of color, rural communities, tribal
lands, and other underserved groups—who are more likely
to be hospitalized and die of COVID-19—exacerbating ex-
isting health disparities (e.g., diabetes). The pandemic has
shown that while people can live in a bubble, no one can be
completely protected. Therefore, tackling the pandemic as a
united body remains vital for the vitality and welfare of soci-
ety, underpinned by the logic of collective action, driven by
4 | Page
self-interest rather than altruism, given the otherwise ad-
verse consequences for all. Given that COVID-19 is unlikely
to be the last pandemic, biosecurity threat, or public health
emergency globally, experts suggest building the infrastruc-
ture for reducing both the risk of another pandemic and the
impacts if one indeed occurs. Solutions and strategies must
also prioritize health equity and the reduction of health dis-
parities, with the goal of building a public health system for
reaching the vulnerable, poor, and neglected populations.
In this regard, there has been growing recognition over the
years that the field of public health has moved away from its
original advocacy roots from the late 19th century. The pro-
fessionalization of higher education in public health has
separated it from social work, sociology, and other disci-
plines, making it a narrow scientific endeavor—compared to
the earlier societal scope—leading to a biomedical view of
health rather than social. The pandemic has provided further
evidence that social conditions matter for health outcomes:
people with low-income jobs with no paid sick leave cannot
isolate themselves, similar to those living in crowded hous-
ing or prisons. People also cannot get vaccines without
pharmacies near them, or public transportation, or relation-
ships with primary-care providers.
From a biblical perspective, there are at least three reasons
for living with the pandemic with hope and confidence, em-
anating from the attributes of God: (i) God is Sovereign, and
no one can thwart His purposes (Psalm 93:1); (ii) God is
Faithful—remaining true to His promises (2 Timothy 2:13)—
through the generations (Psalm 119:90); and (iii) God is Im-
manuel, always with us, going before (Deuteronomy 31:8),
and going with (Isaiah 41:10), albeit never leaving or forsak-
ing (Hebrews 13:5).
We find great role models in the Bible—e.g., Joseph, David,
Paul—who have demonstrated the power of relying on and
trusting in the LORD God for living with pandemic situa-
tions—marked by persistent affliction without agency and
resolution—with hope and confidence. In particular, the life
of David offers valuable and powerful principles for living the
abundant life that Jesus has promised for His followers
(John 10:10). David was anointed by Prophet Samuel as the
King of Israel at a young age (1 Samuel 16:13)—while Saul
was still on the throne—as commanded by the LORD. When
Saul realized that David will be the future King, he became
jealous (1 Samuel 18:9) and tried to kill David several times
(1 Samuel 19:1). David escaped into Philistine territory until
Saul was killed in battle, albeit refusing to harm the King
even when he had the opportunity. It was during his exile
from Israel—on the run from King Saul—that David com-
posed seven of the 75 Psalms attributed to him: Psalm 59,
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Psalm 34, Psalm 57, Psalm 142, Psalm 52, Psalm 54, and
Psalm 56.
These seven Psalms provide important insights into David’s
approach for dealing with pandemic-like situations in his
life, utterly trusting God to protect him from Saul, anchored
in God’s Sovereignty and Faithfulness. LORD God was truly
Immanuel to David during the fourteen years he was relent-
lessly pursued by Saul, as he waited patiently for God’s tim-
ing, without taking the matter into own hands. The good
news is that the God of David is living and active, able to
help us as well, as we live with the pandemic, with all its
uncertainties and unknowns.
The July 2022 FOCUS issue features contributions that at-
test as well to the authenticity of God’s attributes—
Sovereignty and Faithfulness—and His Immanuel nature.
Most of the contributions are focused on the theme of “Liv-
ing with the Pandemic: Lessons and Possibilities”. There are
others that are personal testimonies of Kerala Diaspora
Christians, echoing the 10 Year FOCUS anniversary cele-
th
bration theme “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. In addition, the
July FOCUS issue includes a tribute to a leader among the
Mar Thoma laity, with a record of public service, as part of
the FOCUS initiative to recognize and celebrate the contri-
butions of Kerala Christian leaders and Christian Diaspora
during their lifetime. The July FOCUS issue also features a
story of the generous donation by a Mar Thoma Diaspora
family in the United States (US) of their ancestral property to
the Mar Thoma Church for establishing a holistic develop-
ment center for differently-abled children. This is a new FO-
CUS initiative for recognizing and celebrating the charitable
contributions of Kerala Christian families—including the Di-
aspora—to the broader society, as an inspiration and a role
model for others. The July FOCUS issue also includes a
devotional, based on the personal testimony of a health
care professional from New York City, at the height of the
pandemic. In addition, the July FOCUS issue includes re-
views of the following two books: (i) Unmasking the Syriacs:
The Hidden Origin of Indian Christianity, an Archaeo-
Linguistic Approach; (ii) A Hindu Church and An Indian
Christ: The Rejection of ‘Syrian’ Christian Identity & The
Quest for a Judeo-Dravidian Bhartiya Malankara Nasrani
Identity’.
In his contribution, “Biblio-centric Management in a Pan-
demic/Post-Pandemic VUCA World”, Revd Dr. Johnson
Thomaskutty discusses the application of management
principles to crisis situations in the Bible, and in turn, to the
pandemic/post-pandemic VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Com-
plex, and Ambiguous) world. The essay suggests that in the
pandemic/post-pandemic VUCA world, we have a respon-
sibility to manage the world, and engage in a transformative
mission as stewards of the universe, with hope and confi-
dence. We welcome Revd Dr. Johnson Thomaskutty as a
5 | Page
new contributor to the FOCUS family, and look forward to
future contributions.
In his contribution, “Living with the Pandemic: Lessons and
Possibilities”, Dr. John K. Thomas notes that the COVID-19
pandemic has shown that humans are not infallible and
communities need to be prepared. The essay found that the
pandemic and the associated isolation has been a wake-up
call, requiring people to look back, introspect, stop and re-
flect on life and the value of relationships. People have also
initiated ways to connect with the Creator, nurturing spiritual
growth, and looking to God for help, since as no one else
could help in their dire pandemic situations. We welcome
Dr. John Thomas as a new contributor to the FOCUS family,
and look forward to future contributions.
Prof. Dr. John Parapally explores various aspects of the
‘Faith of Jesus’ and the ‘Faith in Jesus’, in his contribution,
“Faith of Jesus and Faith in Jesus”. Faith of Jesus is his
exclusive confidence in his Father and total obedience to his
mission, the model for our commitment to the values of the
Kingdom. Faith in Jesus means that in him we discover the
way to God and encounter him, where we all are united. We
thank Dr. John Parapally as a returning FOCUS contributor.
In his contribution, “A Viral Apocalypse in our Houses of
mercy”, Revd Dr. John T. Mathew analyzes Jesus’s healing
of the paralytic man, who was at the pool of Bethesda for 38
years, drawing useful parallels for the ongoing COVD-19
pandemic. The essay suggests that the raison d'être of a
faith tradition is to create a house of mercy, and a caring
community for the faithful. We thank Revd Dr. John Mathew
as a returning FOCUS contributor.
Prof. Dr. Kanayathu C. Koshy applies well-known research
techniques from disaster risk analysis to the COVID-19
pandemic, in his contribution “Redefining Ministry to be the
Agent of Change”. The essay concludes that the COVID-19
pandemic lessons and possibilities have created the poten-
tial for us to become living sacrifices for the glory of God.
We thank Prof. Dr. Kanayathu C. Koshy as a returning FO-
CUS contributor.
In his contribution, “Lesson and Possibilities of Living with
the Pandemic”, Dr. Zac Varghese finds that the COVID-19
pandemic, like the ecological crisis, is characterized by the
fact that ‘we are all in it together’. The essay concludes that
the Christian response to the pandemic is in terms of active-
ly helping the needy under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
through self-giving efforts. We thank Dr. Zac Varghese for
his continued FOCUS contributions as a founding member
of the Editorial Board.
Fr. Thomas Punnapadam reflects on the implications of
Long Covid for Reconciliation and Unity of Humankind—
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
recovering gradually from severe Covid symptoms himself—in
his contribution “Long Covid: A Portal to Reconciliation and
Unity”. The essay notes that Reconciliation and Unity are in-
separable realities, particularly for Christians since reconcilia-
tion is the fundamental lifelong response to the Salvation of-
fered by Jesus. The essay concludes that Covid has been a
great leveler for setting aside differences and providing oppor-
tunities for being reconciled and united with one another.
Prof. Dr. John Daniel recounts his 50+ years of personal jour-
ney in the medical filed, marked by God’s faithfulness, in the
essay titled, “Great is His Faithfulness”. The essay concludes
that, but for the Lord Almighty’s upholding in the midst of nu-
merous challenges, life would have been overwhelming. We
welcome Prof. Dr. John Daniel as a new contributor to the FO-
CUS family, and look forward to future contributions.
In his essay, “Recollections from my Diaspora Journey”, Dr.
Eapen Daniel recalls the key role of the Church in sustaining the
Kerala Christian Diaspora as a tight-knit community. The essay
urges the younger generation to create good memories for the
whole family, and witness to the community through their faith
and practices. We welcome Dr. Eapen Daniel as a new contrib-
utor to the FOCUS family, and look forward to future contribu-
tions.
In his essay titled, “Existential Questions and Answers”, Mr.
David Brand poses and answers five existential questions: (i)
What am I?; (ii) Where have I come from?; (iii) Where am I?; (iv)
Why am I here?; and (v) Where will I go from here?. The essay
explores the five questions, rooted in a solid biblical framework.
We thank Mr. David Brand as a returning FOCUS contributor.
Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph outlines the numerous contributions of
Dr. P. J. Alexander to the Mar Thoma Church and the broader
Kerala society, in his tribute, “A Bridge Between the Church
and the Society”. The tribute offers appreciation for Dr. P. J.
Alexander’s efforts for establishing God’s Kingdom Values and
a community of ‘atonement’. We thank Rev Dr. M. J. Joseph for
his continued FOCUS contributions—including the poem in this
issue, “Corona Pandemic and God of all Grace”—as a founding
member of the Editorial Board.
In her devotional, “The Pandemic, which should lead us to firm
faith”, Mrs. Mary Samuel, provides a personal testimony of the
Lord’s goodness working through her, as she cared for COVID
patients as a medical professional in New York City. The devo-
tional reminds believers to be obedient to our purpose in life
and boldly trust that God is working for our good, even in the
midst of pandemic situations. We welcome Mrs. Mary Samuel
as a new contributor to the FOCUS family, and look forward to
future contributions.
In the Note titled, “Shalabhangal: A Legacy takes Wings”, I
have written about a new Mar Thoma Church institution, Shala-
bhangal, for the holistic development of differently-abled chil-
dren. We thank God for the Mar Thoma Diaspora family of
Thekkekara Kuzhiyil (Kottarakara) for their generous donation of
their ancestral property to the Mar Thoma Church, in honor and
6 | Page
memory of their parents, Mr. T. G. Thomas and Mrs. Aleyamma
Thomas. Let us pray and hope that Shalabhangal will serve as
an inspiration and role model for the Kerala Christian Diaspora.
In his book, “Unmasking the Syriacs: The Hidden Origin of Indi-
an Christianity, an Archaeo-Linguistic Approach”, Jeevan Philip
(2022) has analyzed the origins of Indian Christianity, based on
archaeological findings from ancient sites of the Afro-Eurasian
Socio-commercial network. In light of the archaeological data
and artistic imagery represented in Central Asian religious Syn-
cretism and historical narrative, the author questions the Mar-
tyrdom of St. Thomas at Mylapore, Chennai, and its prime evi-
dence, the Pahlavi-inscribed crosses.
In their book, “A Hindu Church and An Indian Christ: The Rejec-
tion of ‘Syrian’ Christian Identity & The Quest for a Judeo-
Dravidian Bhartiya Malankara Nasrani Identity’”, George Alex-
ander, Greeshma Reddy, Skaria Roy, and Joseph Noun (2022),
present reflections on the indigenous Malankara Church and its
faithful. The book discusses the cultural, religious and social
relations between Nasranis and Hindus and explains how they
are different from the rest of the Christians.
Let me conclude by sharing the theme for the October 2022
FOCUS issue, “We are all in it together”, a broad continuation
of the July 2022 FOCUS theme. Since the life and mission of
Jesus was to create a community of 'atonement' for establish-
ing Kingdom values on earth through the Church, it is important
to understand why the Church has fallen short. We must re-
pent, reconcile and transform to become agents of God’s mis-
sion and a community where ‘God’s will be done’. We invite
FOCUS readers to ponder these issues and contribute to the
October 2022 issue. May the Lord Almighty sustain us all as we
live with the pandemic. May we experience the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:15).
Dr. Cherian Samuel
For the Editorial Board
http://www.issuu.com/diasporafocus
http://www.scribd.com/diasporafocus
Web Site: www.facebook.com/groups/mtfocus
E-Mail: mtfousgroup@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Diaspora FOCUS is a non-profit organization
registered in United States, originally formed in late Nine-
ties in London for the Diaspora Marthomites. Now it is an
independent lay-movement of the Diaspora laity of the
Syrian Christians; and as such FOCUS is not an official
publication of any denominations. It is an ecumenical
journal to focus attention more sharply on issues to help
churches and other faith communities to examine their
own commitment to loving their neighbors and God, jus-
tice, and peace. Opinions expressed in any article or
statements are of the individuals and are not to be
deemed as an endorsement of the view expressed there-
in by Diaspora FOCUS. Thanks.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Biblio-centric Management in a Pandemic/Post-
Pandemic VUCA World
Revd Dr. Johnson Thomaskutty, Bangaluru
Introduction
The Bible provides us a lot of insights concerning how
God, Jesus Christ, the prophets, the leaders, the apos-
tles, and the people as a whole were involved and ex-
pected to be involved as managers both in their vertical
and horizontal relationships. As the people of God un-
derwent various crisis periods, God’s intervention to
manage and resolve the conflicts and crises is evident in
the Scripture. A careful reading of the Scripture with a
focus on the management principles shall illuminate our
thought-patterns into new directions. The pandemic/post-
pandemic VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Am-
biguous) world is addressed to manage in a Biblio-centric
way (W. Bennis, and B. Nanus, Leaders: Strategies for
Taking Charge [New York: Harper & Row, 1985]).
Pentateuch from a Management Perspective
The first five books of the Old Testament (OT) are called
the Torah, which in Hebrew means “instruction, authorita-
tive direction, teaching or law.” Management is impossi-
ble without having certain instructions, authoritative direc-
tions, teachings or laws. The Book of Genesis tells the
story of creation, the fall of human beings, and its conse-
quences. It also contains the start of the redemptive plan
of God as he calls Abraham and gives promises to him
and to his descendants, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. At a
macro-level, the Book of Genesis tells us how God him-
self is the manager par-excellence. Here, management is
placed at the universal level with the eternal time span in
mind. God created the entire universe and managed to
order it aesthetically. The narrator describes how God
managed the time (i.e., seven days) and the space (i.e.,
the universe). God created the human beings to manage
the universe, “to till the earth and keep it” (Gen 2:15; cf. J.
B. Jayaraj, Genesis, SABC [Udaipur: ODP, 2015], 9-16).
The Book of Exodus tells us of the Israelites’ slavery in
the land of Egypt and how God delivered them through
Moses. As a manager, God does the following things:
delivering the people from slavery to freedom; making a
covenantal relationship with the people; giving them the
Ten Commandments; leading them through the wilder-
ness; and bringing them to the Land of Canaan (P. G.
George and P. Swarup, Exodus, SABC [Udaipur: ODP,
2015], 75-134). In that process, God appoints managers
like Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, and enables the people to
manage themselves at the individual, familial, clan, tribal,
and holistic areas of their lives.
7 | Page
The Book of Leviticus focuses the following areas of life:
Israelite worship, particularly the different sacrifices and
offerings; the selection, ordination and ministry of the
priests; clean and unclean foods; and the laws and regu-
lations regarding purity and sexual relations. The laws
were given to them so that they might conduct them-
selves upright before God and in community: the civil
laws guided them to function as a society; the moral laws
(especially the Ten Commandments) enabled them to
keep up themselves in the personal and interpersonal
relationships; and the ceremonial laws governed them to
offer sacrifices and various rituals at the sanctuary. Leviti-
cus contains statements about justice and the laws gov-
erning the Sabbath, feasts, festivals, and the Jubilee
Year.
The Book of Numbers begins with organising the Israel-
ites through a census of the tribes, clans and families who
were moving towards Canaan. The Book describes the
selection of tribal leaders (1:4-16), organising the army
(1:17-46) and the camp (2:1-34), and God’s choice of the
leaders (3:1-4:49) to manage the community with disci-
pline.
The Book of Deuteronomy contains Moses’ Farewell
Speech to the people. Moses reminds the people of Israel
of their history of slavery, deliverance, and the covenant
that was made at Sinai. He encourages them to obey the
Lord and observe all his laws if they wish to enjoy the
Promised Land. Management, in that sense, takes up the
past into serious consideration (past failures and suc-
cesses), considers the present that is built upon or over
against the past (here, the covenant they have with Yah-
weh makes them to do everything in a unique manner),
and the future is visualised to enjoy the Promised Land.
The following are some of the significant hermeneutical
principles we need to adopt when we interpret the Penta-
teuch from a management perspective: first, place God
as the leader as he has the “big picture” or “broad over-
view” of the universe; second, human leaders are placed
as “short term” managers with “fine detail” over a geo-
graphical area to execute God’s plan in a human-friendly
manner; third, all the human beings are expected to get
involved in managing the day-to-day affairs in their own
specific life situations; fourth, the laws, regulations, cove-
nants, and commandments are God’s way to manage the
community/ies; fifth, all the human beings are created
and placed in this world to remain as “short term” man-
agers in multifarious levels of life (M. Webber, “Managers
and Leaders: Your Differences are your Strengths,”
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
[2021]); sixth, people should maintain both the vertical
and the horizontal relationships in the process of man-
agement; and seventh, pedagogical instructions, homilet-
ical messages, oracles, legal codes, anger and consola-
tion rhetoric, and others are used to manage the created
world. During the pandemic/post-pandemic VUCA world,
we have a responsibility to manage the world, co-create
and re-create with God, and engage in the transformative
mission as stewards of the universe.
Prophetical Writings from a Management Perspective
The prophets demonstrate their management skills
through their involvements among the people as appoint-
ed representatives of God. They were devoted to God
and ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the mes-
sage God had given them to proclaim. Their deep aware-
ness that God had called and commissioned them kept
them going despite intense suffering and serious opposi-
tion. The prophets were primarily messengers who spoke
for and on behalf of the Lord. The prophets did not give
their personal messages but delivered the messages that
God had given to them. This quality of the prophets is
exemplified through their missional and ministerial in-
volvements. Their goal-orientedness in the mission, plan-
ning the events and the speech, communication of the
divine oracles, and leadership skills enabled them to exe-
cute the task of management for community transfor-
mation.
The following things are noteworthy in the process of in-
terpreting the prophetic writings: first, the prophets were
key figures in attuning the people of Israel toward the love
of God; second, they communicated the message of God
in times of difficulties; third, they conveyed the message
of God with integrity and faithfulness; fourth, the people
of Israel were instructed by them to function as managers
to save their own local situations; fifth, the prophets were
a corrective force in the socio-religious and politico-
cultural situations; sixth, they bound the past, the pre-
sent, and the future to provide a “big picture”; and sev-
enth, they functioned as mediators between God of Israel
and the people of God (J. Blenkinsopp, Prophetism and
Prophets: The International Bible Commentary [Banga-
lore: TPI, 1998], 1015-1020). A reading of the prophetical
writings based on these aspects shall help us to under-
stand the management principles of these ancient texts.
During the pandemic/post-pandemic context, the church
at large should engage in the prophetical mission to heal
the wounded, comfort the bereaved, and transform the
society as a whole.
Poetical Books from a Management Perspective
Poetry dominates the OT; it comforts, cautions and pro-
nounces judgment. The poems of the OT stand out as
vehicles to manage the human situations. They are the
vehicles of expression in the Book of Job, the Psalms, the
8 | Page
Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and the Ecclesiastes (H.
Dharamraj, Hebrew Poetry, SABC [Udaipur: ODP, 2015],
613). The Hebrew poems remind, instruct, and guide the
people of Israel through the means of allusions, image-
ries, metaphors, riddles, and rhymes. One of the primary
goals of the poets was managing the human situations
both in connection to their vertical and horizontal relation-
ships.
A reader of the poems should identify the human emo-
tions, life situations, agonies, happiness moments, and
despairs embedded within them in order to know the life
situations of the Israelite community. Poems reflect the
heart language of the people. Readers and interpreters of
the Hebrew poetry can understand the core realities of
the people. Then a reader can think about her/his own life
situation for interlocking the contextual dynamics and the
thematic convergence. Thus, management aspects are
undercurrent in the poetical writings of the OT. During the
VUCA context of ours, the church should function as a
musical, rhythmic, and comforting community in order to
lead the society forward.
Gospels and the Book of Acts from a Management
Perspective
The four Gospels and the Book of Acts reveal significant
truths concerning the early Christian aspects of manage-
ment. In the Gospel of Matthew, speeches and acts are
placed at the core of its management outlook. As a
speaker and as an emissary of God, Jesus communicates
the heavenly message, conveys the message of the
Kingdom of God, and applies the message in the com-
munity level. As the Mosaic Pentateuch was instrumental
in managing and building the people of God in the OT,
the five discourses of Jesus or the New Pentateuch (Matt
chaps. 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25) was useful for the commu-
nity to build their ethos and pathos as New Israel. As Mat-
thew blends together the five discourses and the miracu-
lous activities within the framework of the gospel, a read-
er can understand how the evangelist creates a blueprint
to manage the Matthean Community situation by intro-
ducing the New Moses and the New Israel motives side-
by-side.
In Mark’s Gospel, the quickly moving drama of Jesus by
placing the cross at the climax is deciphered through the
means of the conjunction kai (means, and) and the adver-
bial expression euthys (immediately; M. Healy, The Gos-
pel of Mark [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008], 23).
The story of the Markan Jesus was merged to the de-
mands of the Markan community. Mark’s community was
in a continuous struggle both in the contextual and the
theological ends of their lives. As the Markan community
was facing persecution under the Roman imperial power,
the narrator presents Jesus as an all-powerful personality
(chapters 1-8) who turns to be a suffering servant (chap-
ters 9-16). The narrator presents a persuasive discourse
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
through this narrative irony in order to manage the crisis
situation.
Luke reads the story of Jesus from a liberation perspec-
tive by keeping a focus on the poor and the marginalised
of his context. The Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus proposes
good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, sight
for the blind, release for the oppressed, and an accepta-
ble year of the Lord for the marginalised (4:18-19). While
the Old Jubilee (Isa 61:1-2; Lev 25:1-55; Exo 23:10-11;
Deut 15:1-11) was a Jewish nationalistic movement, the
New Jubilee inaugurated by Jesus in Luke is universal in
scope and eternal in duration. Luke’s focus on the indi-
viduals, the social outcastes, women and children, his
emphasis on the social relations, and poverty and wealth
were significant annals to manage and attune his com-
munity on the basis of the Kingdom of God principles.
The fourth evangelist focuses on the public (chaps 1-12)
and the private (chaps 13-17) ministries of Jesus. The
conciliatory and confrontational natures of the dialogue
and drama in John’s Gospel make a dualistic distinction
between the ‘inner circle’ and the ‘outer circle.’ The sym-
bolic nature of the Johannine signs (by inviting the read-
ers’ attention toward the sign performer Jesus), the in-
volvement of Jesus in various genres of dialogues, and
his “I AM statements” coupled with actions enable the
reader to focus on the Saviour of the world. As the Jo-
hannine sectarians were expelled from the synagogue,
they manage their situation through the means of ac-
commodation and disruption. Jesus even manages the
life situations of the differently-abled people (5:1-18; 9:1-
41). The Acts 1:8 mission model in John’s Gospel ex-
pands its territory from Jerusalem to the Gentile world in
a centrifugal way. The Johannine community as a God-
centred, Christ-focused, and faith-oriented group was
managed to follow rhetoric of “distinction” rather than
rhetoric of “distancing.”
The Book of Acts further delineates the history and theol-
ogy of the primitive Christian communities. The manage-
ment aspects of the early church, both in the Jerusalem-
ite and in the Gentile contexts, persecution and the
spread of the Christian community, the control and guid-
ance of the Holy Spirit, the missionary journeys of Paul
and other apostles, and the reconciliatory aspects initiat-
ed between the Jewish and the Gentile churches are in
discussion here (B. I. Venkataraman, Acts, SABC [Udai-
pur: ODP, 2015], 1451-1452). Thus, the first five books of
the NT amply demonstrate how the early church man-
aged the various crisis situations. As Jesus, the apostles,
and the early Christian communities remained as manag-
ers of individuals, communities, and the world at large,
we are instructed to be managers and leaders of our time.
9 | Page
Epistles from a Management Perspective
The Epistles and the Book of Revelation are written in
order to deal with the volatile, uncertain, complex, and
ambiguous (VUCA) situations of the early Christian com-
munities. While the Letter to the Galatians addresses sev-
eral doctrinal and theological aspects among the wide-
spread Christian congregations, the Letter to the Ephe-
sians deals the topic of Christian unity. While Colossians
deals with the issue of heresy, the Thessalonian epistles
delineate the eschatological aspects. While the Prison
Epistles reveal the issue of Paul’s captivity and the per-
son and work of Christ, the Pastoral Epistles deal with the
early ecclesiastical order. In Ephesians, Colossians, and
the Pastorals, the author describes the family codes to
manage the basic unit of the society in a Christian way.
Paul’s accommodation to manage the situations of the
Jews, the Gentiles, and the weak is mentioned in 1 Cor
9:20-23 (C. S. Keener, The IVP Background Commentary:
New Testament [Downers Grove: IVP, 1993], 472).
Through these writings and strategies, Paul was attempt-
ing to address the churches and manage several of the
early Christian problems.
At the outset of 1 Corinthians, the following things are
emphasised: first, Paul’s apostolic calling is mentioned as
basis to all that follows (1:1); second, the Corinthian
church’s participation in the church universal is signalled
as crucial (1:2); third, there is the acknowledgement of the
spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians at their con-
version (1:4-7); and fourth, an eschatological reservation
accompanies Paul’s task (1:7-8; see D. Guthrie, NT Intro-
duction [Leicester: Apollos, 1960/1990], 432-464). These
aspects of the letter exemplify Paul’s management con-
cepts at its best within the framework of the letter. The
Apostle deals with some of the crucial problems of the
church within 1 Corinthians: divisions over leaders and
wisdom (1:18-4:21); sexual immorality and lawsuits (5:1-
6:20); marriage and singleness (7:1-40); idol food and eat-
ing in idol temples (8:1-11:1); head-covering in worship
(11:2-16); abuses of lord’s supper (11:17-34); spiritual
gifts in Christ’s body (12:1-14:40); and the future and the
form of the resurrection (15:1-58). Paul deals with all the-
se issues based on the apostolic calling and the vision he
received, the traditions of the early church, and the con-
textual aspects of the Corinthian community at large (P.
N. Anderson, From Crisis to Christ [Nashville: Abingdon,
2014], 240-254). As Paul himself functioned as an apostle
in the First Century VUCA context and managed the
problems by placing Christ at the centre, the Church in
today’s context should focus on a Christ-centred man-
agement in order to re-create the pandemic/post-
pandemic world.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Biblio-centric Management in a Pandemic/Post- The Pandemic, Which Should Lead us to Firm Faith
Pandemic VUCA World Mary Samuel*

As the biblical writers attempted to pacify human emo- [The following mediation is first published in the Christian
tions, life situations, agonies, and despairs in the Israelite Education Forum of the Mar Thoma Diocese of North
context, it is our task to understand the pandemic/post- America and Europe on 28th Jan, 2022.]
pandemic situations and the VUCA world experiences in
order to liberate and transform the contemporary world. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of
As the VUCA world leads people to various challenges those who love Him, who have been called according to
and pessimistic occasions, the biblical thought-world can His purpose.” Rom 8: 28
be considered as a paradigm for management where
hope and confidence can be promulgated. When my children were young, they used to ask me all
their questions. “Mom, why do we go to church on Sun-
During the challenging situations in Matthew, the narrator days? Why do we close our eyes when we pray? Why?” I
draws a picture of a New Torah (the five discourses of patiently answered these inquiries, knowing that this was
Matthew) through the initiative of a New Moses (Jesus). In a valuable form of learning. As they grew older, their
the Markan context, the persecuted believers were at- questions became more difficult to answer. We discussed
tuned toward the action-oriented and quickly moving the tenants of our faith and the value of our cultural
dramatic style of Jesus. As Luke focuses on the poor church as a family. We asked questions and we answered
sections of the community, the New Jubilee motif is pre- them together in prayer.
sented as a persuasive artistry. As the Johannine com-
munity was challenged by a Synagogue and Church con-
flict, the dialogic, dramatic, and action-oriented move-
ments of Jesus persuade the readers. As the Gospel writ-
ers integrate Jesus’s life situation within the framework of
early church’s life situation, the contemporary interpreters
can fuse the VUCA world situation into the narrative
framework of the NT for significance beyond time and
space. The rhetoric of the Book of Acts persuades the
people to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and be Christ-
centric. In his writings, Paul persuades the church com-
munities against the evils of the day, comforts them with
the divine oracles, leads them to the brighter eschatologi-
cal ends, and encourages them to stand firm even in the
midst of persecutions and challenging situations in life.

Conclusion

As the Biblical world was confronted with a large number

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I felt like I had be-
of volatilities, uncertainties, complexities, and ambigui-
come like a small child again as I asked God why we
ties, we can identify several parallels between the then
were going through such hardship. I have been working
and now situational realities. Interpretation of the Scrip-
as a nurse in the United States for more than 30 years,
tures, by interlocking the two life situations, shall enable
but this virus is truly like nothing I have ever seen before.
us to re-read the biblical message with relevance in to-
Healthcare workers have faced seemingly unsurmounta-
day’s pandemic/post-pandemic VUCA world. Moreover,
ble struggles throughout the last two years.
by placing God/Christ as the macro-manager, the people
In those moments, I turned to God in prayer, just like I
of the world can function as micro- managers. The chal-
taught my children to do for their whole lives. As I drove
lenges and difficulties of the Biblical world and the way
to work, I would recite Psalm 91 aloud. Sometimes, I
God managed those occasions can be used as para-
would find the words to ask God for His continued pro-
digms for the contemporary VUCA world of ours. Reading
tection and refuge. Other times, I would trust the Holy
the Bible from the vantage point of the suffering humanity
Spirit to intercede on my behalf. These prayers strength-
can be adopted as a better model for delving God-
ened me so when I arrived at work, I felt a sense of
centred management in the contemporary world.
peace. Even on the busiest days, I saw the Lord’s good-
ness working through me as I cared for sick patients.
*Revd Dr. Johnson Thomaskutty is a Professor of
New Testament at the United Theological Col- When patients were separated from their families, I of-
lege, Bangaluru, India. He is a prolific writer, who fered them warmth and encouragement. During our
also writes on current issues such as the pan- breaks, some of my co-workers and I gathered in brief
demic in the context of his Biblical scholarship. moments of prayer that sustained us.

10 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

Dr. P. J. Alexander IPS (Retd.) - A Bridge Between the
Church and the Society
Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph*
It is quite fitting that the FOCUS Journal includes a sin-
cere appreciation expressing our gratitude to Dr. P. J.
Alexander IPS (Retd.) for his many significant contribu-
tions to Society and particularly to the Mar Thoma Church
and wider ecumenism. He, together with Mr. Philip
Mathew (Presidency Hotel, Cochin), Late Rt. Revd Dr.
Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan and
others were responsible for the organization of three In-
ternational FOCUS Seminars at Santhigiri Ashram at
Edathala, near Alwaye, Kerala, from 1999 to 2003. The
seeds for starting an International Ecumenical Journal for
the benefit of the worldwide Diaspora Community were
sown at these Conferences and the seeds germinated
after a dormant period of ten years and the dream came
true in April 2013. By the Grace of God, we are into the
10th year of its publication with over 250,000 readers
worldwide. It is indeed the right time to express our grati-
tude and appreciation of Dr. P. J. Alexander (PJ)
As a member of the Editorial Board of the FOCUS Jour-
nal, I take the lead to make the following observations on
PJ as a mark of our respect to him for his innumerable
11 | Page
contributions in various fields. The space does not permit
me to make a detailed biographical sketch in this article.
I came to know PJ in the latter part of 1970 while I was on
the faculty of the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary,
through a God-given friend and guide, the late Rt. Revd
Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan. In
Thirumeni’s circle of friends, the Suffragan Metropolitan
valued the friendship of Dr. P.J. Alexander and several
other lay leaders like Dr. Zac Varghese of London.
In a Festschrift Volume in honour of Thirumeni published
in 1984, PJ wrote about Thomas Mar Athanasius Thiru-
meni thus: “Over the years, Thirumeni shared my mo-
ments of frustration and disappointment and also the rare
moments of achievement, joy and happiness. I was pre-
pared for the Holy Communion by Thirumeni. He solem-
nized my wedding, baptized two of my three children,
dedicated my house at Trivandrum and had enriched my
life in a thousand ways” (“Discipleship as Mission”, edited
by Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, p. 101).
Revd Dr. M. A. Thomas whom I consider my ecumenical
Guru, had close association with P.J. Once M. A. Thomas
Achen wrote to PJ to remain “fearless” in his official ca-
reer as a government servant. I had several occasions to
listen to PJ and to work with him in the Sabha Council of
the Mar Thoma Church and the Episcopal Nomination
Boards. I had the privilege to review his book ‘Police and
Elections in India’, for the Sabha Tharaka (1990). Later
in 2016(May), I reviewed the book ‘Jawaharlal Nehru
and the Indian Polity in Perspective’ edited by PJ; it is
indeed a noble work for posterity. The book entitled
‘Higher Education in Kerala’, published by Juhanon Mar
Thoma Study Centre (1983) bears the stamp of his wide
range of reading and scholarship. PJ was able to bring
together the best talents of the time in all his academic
and scholarly publications. There are many other books
and several articles to his credit. The two Festschrift Vol-
umes published by the Mar Thoma Church in honour of
the Most Revd Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan,
which he edited as its Chief Editor are indeed worthy of
praise. I had the honour to get associated with him in the
editorial work along with others. I owe a debt of gratitude
to him as he was a regular visitor to ECC for making
presentations on a wide variety of themes. And above all,
he was one of the speakers when I bid farewell to the
ECC in 2006. He has also contributed an article to my
Festschrift volume, ‘The Golden Beams ’(2015) under
the title, “An Enduring Friendship”.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
PJ has always been a frank and fearless administrator. He
is an epitome of the management principle, “results are
obtained not by solving problems, but by exploiting op-
portunities.” As the highest-ranking law enforcement of-
ficer of the State, he used to be stern and steady. He be-
lieved in the words of Julius Caesar, “Cowards die many
times before their death, the valiant never taste of death,
but once”. In PJ, one may notice a rare blending of all the
components of leadership, perception, ability and authori-
ty.
In a Festschrift Volume published in PJ’s honour by the
Indian Institute of Police Studies, Trivandrum (1998), sev-
eral of his friends and colleagues have paid glowing trib-
utes to PJ. Since his retirement from active service in the
Police PJ lives with his wife in Trivandrum and is involved
in several humanitarian and church related activities; he
also contributes articles to various Journals. Now In his
mid-eighties, PJ is waiting with his family and friends,
under the grace of God, for the next auspicious occasion
of ‘Navathy ’in his earthly pilgrimage. May God grant his
and our wish.
Where did it all began?
Is there ever any particular spot where one can put one's
finger and say, it all began that day, at such a time and
such a place, with such an incident? Yes, that moment
and place should be with our God-fearing and grace-filled
parents and home. It is possible to trace PJ’s family tree
to the blue blood lines of the ancient Pakalomattom fami-
ly via the ‘Muthalalies ’of Adoor, a family teeming with
Priests and Physicians, and to Kompomcode Pandakasa-
la. His mother wanted him to be a Priest (so did Thomas
Thirumeni), while his father wanted him to be a Barrister.
Having been neither, he stands firmly with his Lord and
Master. Omana, his wife, is from the well-known planter
family of MM George, Mulamootil, Kulasekharam. Of his
two daughters: the first Priti Jacob has MA, MHA, and
LLB degrees and is working as a Healthcare Consultant.
His second daughter Nidu Jacob is also highly qualified,
has MSc, MPhil and a PhD degree from Tuft University.
His only son Alex, a Planter and a Management Consult-
ant with Harrisons Malayalam, was prematurely called to
rest at the young age of 48 in December 2020. By the
amazing grace of God, PJ is blessed to have the faith of
Job to say, “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). He
has been blessed with four grandchildren; Priti’s son
Anent is a Corporate Lawyer, Nidu’s daughter, Sarah, an
MBA from Harvard is an Investment Consultant. Of the
two boys of his son, Alex, first is employed as an Engi-
neer and the second is getting ready to join an Engineer-
ing Course.
12 | Page
Early years, education, career and significant Contri-
butions
Schools and colleges were not as many as we have to-
day. The Mar Thoma Church did not have a college of its
own when PJ passed his SSLC exam, from the Malaya-
lam Medium Mar Thoma School, Valakom, Kottarakara.
The nearest University Centre, was in Trivandrum and in
many ways, it was a blessing in disguise that he opted to
go there. At that time, it was a University Centre with re-
puted teaching faculty, and elite Christian leadership in
various disciplines, all taking interest in the newcomers
for college education at Trivandrum, the State capital.
During his college days, PJ who took serious interest in
church related activities like: Youths Union, Students
Christian Movement, Mar Thoma Students Conference,
YMCA, etc. He came under the influence of giants like Dr.
M. M. Thomas and Achens like Revd M. A. Thomas. He
graduated as a top-ranking student, winning the A. M.
Varkey Memorial Gold Medal and the C. V. Chandra-
sekharan Memorial Prize. Through Dr. M.M Thomas, he
came in touch with the Christian Institute for the Study of
Religion and Society, Bangalore, and progressive Chris-
tian leaders like Dr. P. D. Devanandan. The Late Rt. Revd
Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan was a
very dear and significant spiritual guide and cared for him
very dearly.
Upon completing his MA degree in Political Science, PJ
joined the Political Science Department of the University
as a Lecturer. While a serving as a teacher, PJ passed the
Civil Services Examination (IAS/IPS) in 1960 and joined
the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the Kerala cadre. While
in service, PJ took a Degree in Law and a PhD, had ex-
tensive exposure to Management education; He was the
Chief Executive of several Public Sector Undertakings
(PSU) of the State, a member and the Secretary of the
Kerala Police Reorganization Commission, visiting Faculty
in various teaching and training Institutes, and was a Pro-
fessor and Director of the Institute of Management in
Government.
After retirement as the Director General of Police, Kerala,
PJ worked as a consultant in building Institutions of Crim-
inal Justice with the Asian Human Rights Commission
(AHRC) in Cambodia under the United Nations Transi-
tional Administration and with the Training Faculty of the
Multi National Police Forces under the UN in East Timor.
He has authored and edited a number of books and pa-
pers, guided Doctoral students at the University of Kerala
and the National University of Advanced Legal Studies,
Cochin. He was a Consultant to the Kerala Law Reforms
Commission with Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer as the Chair-
person. He is currently involved with the ‘Centre for
Criminal Justice Reforms’, in a consultative status with
the AHRC. Current academic interest and activism in-
clude Electoral Reforms, Criminal Justice Reforms and
Human Rights. PJ takes active part in media discussions.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
At the ‘Legal Assistance Centre’, he provides guidance
and quality support to victims of Criminal Justice system ‘Glimpses of Books’
and Human Rights abuse.

PJ is a very committed Marthomite with over 50 years in

the Mandalam (Parliament of the Church) and in the vari-
ous consultative bodies of the Church, including the Sa-
bha Council and a number of Episcopal Selection Com-
missions. He successfully campaigned for a Christian
burial for those Marthomites who commit suicide. Some
of his other contributions include: strengthening the rela-
tionship of the Mar Thoma Church with the Thozhiyoor
Independent Church, the vigorous growth of the Mar
Thoma Church in Malabar with Late Rt. Revd Dr. Thomas
Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan and sowing the
seeds of the Mar Thoma School for The Deaf at Kasara-
god. PJ has also contributed significantly to the growth
and development St. Thomas Residential School in Tri-
vandrum and the Mar Thoma College for Science and
Technology, Ayur. He has always been at the forefront,
whenever and wherever the Mar Thoma Church faced
crisis situations. He takes every step only to strengthen
the Church and its leadership, which are so very dear to
him.
PJ has sat on all the sensitive Chairs of the Police De-
partment, including the one dealing with the state of
‘Emergency’, when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was India’s Prime
Minister. The National Emergency under Article 352 of
the Indian Constitution had its opponents, which included
many who were close to progressive Christian leaders
such as Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Dr. M.M
Thomas etc. The Metropolitan had written an open letter
against the Emergency to the Prime Minister and rumours
were rife that he would be proceeded against. Many na-
tional leaders who were being watched by the Police
were guests of Dr. M.M Thomas. But PJ was able to
steer clear of all unnecessary controversies. As a very
sincere and devoted confidant to all Mar Thoma Metro-
politans and Bishops, he has helped the Church in the
past and continues to do so in solving many difficult is-
sues and remains as a source of strength to the Church.
Let us offer PJ our sincere appreciation for a well-lived
model Christian life ‘in Christ ’for establishing God’s
Kingdom Values for the benefit of everyone, for establish-
ing a community of ‘atonement’. May the rest of his re-
tired life with family and friends, be happy and fulfilling,
echoing the words of St. Paul, “In Christ we live, move
and have our being” (Acts 17:28)
*Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam, a
member of the Editorial Board of the
FOCUS, a former principal of the Mar
Thoma Theological College Kottayam
and the Director of the ECC, Banga-
lore.
‘Glimpses of Books’ is a new initiative by the FOCUS journal
to offer opportunities for our talented contributors to introduce
one of their important books to the readers of this journal. This
would be of help to our readers to expand their vision and cre-
ate an interest in reading and writing. Furthermore, it would be
of interest to our readers to know the circumstances and land-
scapes, which helped the authors to write a particular book.
This would surely give encouragement to budding authors to
venture out boldly into the publishing world. “Publish or perish”
is a well-known aphorism describing the struggle to publish.
There is much inertia in writing, but if one could overcome the
initial hesitation and doubts then it would become an enjoyable
experience. All who love reading consider books as their real
friends. “He that loveth a book” says Isaac Barrow”, “will never
want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful com-
panion, and effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by think-
ing, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself,
all weathers, so in all fortunes.”
Therefore, we request our distinguished contributors to help us
in this new initiative. This opportunity is also open to our readers
as well who are not established authors. “If you want to be a
channel, you must first be a reservoir,” said St. Bernard. Before
we communicate our faith, we must live the faith in Christ, with
Christ and for Christ. Apart form the Bible, you must have come
across ‘spiritual classics’, which might have helped you in your
spiritual journey. We encourage you to write about such books,
which influenced you for the benefit of others. Therefore, we
request our distinguished contributors and readers of this jour-
nal to help us in this new initiative.
Please send us a short description about your book may be one
page with a cover photo of your book, along with a short bio-
data of yours for our review, editing and for publishing in future
issues of FOCUS. You may send the information in word format
with cover page photo of your book in JPEG format to Dr.
Cherian Samuel at his e-mail csamuel131@gmail.com We, ap-
preciate your prompt attention and support for this new en-
deavor.
For the Editorial Board

13 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

Living With The Pandemic: Lessons and Possibilities
Dr. John K. Thomas*
Introduction
On December 19th, 2019, hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei
province in China reported on a cluster of cases of
pneumonia, attracting global attention. These illnesses
were caused by an unknown pathogen. Two weeks later
a novel variant of coronavirus was identified as “severe
acute respiratory syndrome- corona virus -2” or SARS-
COV-2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was sub-
sequently defined as the illness caused SARS-COV-2.
Within weeks, this illness spread to 18 countries includ-
ing China. Within a few months, SARS COV-2 was identi-
fied in most countries around the world. In March 2020,
the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the
COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced many countries including
the United States to implement a diverse set of interven-
tions. These included international travel restrictions,
physical distancing, sanitizing, masks, closing of busi-
ness centers, and mandating people to stay at home, all
in efforts to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. The-
se policies indubitably had a profound impact on peo-
ple's life, including employment, economy, and social
behavior. It affected our children, their education and
social development. The pandemic and its aftermath im-
posed huge burdens to physical and mental health of the
young and old alike, not to mention its impact on the
economy.
According to a news report in late 2020, South Asians
were among the racial and ethnic groups that were the
hardest hit in New York City. Between March and May of
2020, they had the second highest rate of test positivity
after the Hispanics and the second highest rate of hospi-
talizations after Black people. South Asians are
overrepresented in health care, transport and service
industries, forcing them to have close contact with the
general public during the pandemic. Many of them lived
in multigenerational households. South Asians have
higher rates of chronic health conditions like diabetes,
hypertension and heart disease. These factors often
placed them at a higher risk for complications from
COVID infection.
Living with the Virus
The pandemic forced us to adapt and modify our daily
living habits and social interactions. During the early
months of the pandemic, people obsessed about the risk
of getting infected, wearing masks, social distancing and
how these decisions would affect their lives. These days
most people have settled on their own conclusions about
what works best for them.
14 | Page
COVID-19 is here to stay and may eventually become an
endemic illness. Time and data have proven that it seems
rather impossible to wipe out SARS-COV2 from any part
of the world. The phrase often heard now in the United
States and many other nations is ‘live with the virus’. In
May 2022, the WHO expressed that China’s draconian
measures of imposing a “zero-covid” policy was unlikely
to be sustainable. Countries around the world are recog-
nizing that eradicating the SARS-COV-2 virus is no long-
er feasible. This is an acknowledgement that endorses
our need to rely on vaccines, healthy living habits,
masks, sanitization, antiviral therapies to coexist with the
virus while reducing our own risk and protecting others.
We should anticipate arriving at a point where the corona
virus is incorporated amongst other common pathogens
that routinely circulate such as influenza, cold and other
respiratory viruses. This can facilitate a huge shift in per-
ception of threat from COVID. We can then accept
SARS-COV-2 as a manageable risk in our lives. It means
reacquiring new habits, attitudes and new norms. This
readjustment will vary widely for different people de-
pending on their personal health circumstances and the
needs of those close to us.
What did we learn?
Besides the obvious risk of becoming ill from COVID,
many of us dealt with parallel “stressors ’that emerged
with the pandemic. These included grief from losing a
family or friend to COVID, social isolation, loneliness, loss
of employment, working longer hours, juggling childcare,
educating our children virtually. Stress manifested differ-
ently in people in the form of poor sleep, changes in eat-
ing habits, irritability, increase in tobacco and alcohol, as
well as symptoms of anxiety and depression.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC) identi-
fied older adults, children and teens, people helping with
response to COVID-19 such as health care providers,
and first responders to be at increased risk for stress.
We now know that some people experience lingering
health problems even when they have recovered from
the acute phase of COVID infection. The National Insti-
tutes of Health refer to long-term COVID-19 symptoms
as PASC, which stands for post-acute sequelae of
SARS-CoV-2. Other more commonly used terms are
post-COVID syndrome, long COVID or long-term COVID.
Though it seems like a very long time since the pandemic
began, COVID-19 only began spreading widely in early
2020, it will take longer to understand what is next for
patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and who
still have resulting health problems.
An understanding of vaccine efficiency, emergency ther-
apeutics and public health guidance can help us to move
forward to a new normal. We will need more randomized
controlled trials and peer-reviewed literature to determine
whether supplements can help the immune system to
fight COVID -19 infection. We know that eating a healthy
diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, exercising
regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress,
improving sleep hygiene, abstaining from tobacco use,
can help strengthen our immune system.
Few other lessons learned include:
1. Efficacy of masks in preventing respiratory illness.
There were fewer cases of seasonal contagious illnesses
as people were masking and sanitizing their hands.
2. There were fewer numbers of doctor visits, which re-
sulted in worsening pre-existing diseases and delays in
diagnosis of new life-threatening conditions.
3. Utilization of telehealth to reach patients who might
otherwise not be supported in a conventional paradigm
of health care.
4. Though there are differences of opinion on the ef-
fects/side effects of vaccines, vaccines are really a pow-
erful tool in the prevention of disease.
5. Mental health concerns were on the rise secondary to
job loss, stress on work, financial problems, and loss of
loved ones.
6. Resilience in the time of strife -ability to adjust to new
work schedules, routines, new forms of socializing, and
strategies to counter stress.
Possibilities
Many of us have learned to care for ourselves and to de-
vote more time to oneself during periods of lock down
and social isolation. Covid -19 and isolation taught peo-
ple to look back, introspect, stop and reflect about the
life they had taken for granted. Virtual platforms emerged
15 | Page
as a medium for people to connect. People started look-
ing at ways to connect with the Creator, nurturing their
spiritual growth, and looking towards the almighty God
for help, as no one could help or protect them from se-
verity of the disease.
People began to recognize the value of relationships,
learning to practice sharing and caring, and remembering
the importance of kindness. Most significantly, we were
reminded to appreciate the gift of life. Tomorrow is not
promised. Life is short and we were inspired to prioritize
what is important to us. An old saying became more rel-
evant, “there is good in every evil”. In many ways, peo-
ple felt the closer to others, and a feeling that we are not
alone in this fight for life.
The New Normal
We are entering into new way of living that was unfamiliar
previously. A new normal has forced the digital world as
a requisite to continue work, learn or to do business from
home. We have introduced artificial intelligence in public
places like shopping malls, hospitals, and airports where
social distancing is a necessity.
The fear and anxiety of contracting the virus, was un-
precedented. Consequently, our ways of thinking, atti-
tudes, and behavior have radically shifted.
Here are few POSITIVE life changes resulting from the
pandemic:
1. Quality of time spent with family became important
to people from all walks of life.
2. A global movement was begun to share knowledge
about the structure of the virus, to develop better guide-
lines and vaccines.
3. More funding, attention and scrutiny was given to
the field of public health.
4. Additional skills are being given to employees to
adapt careers in a virtual space.
5. Hygiene, sanitation and social distancing were given
prime attention.
6. Better and safe living spaces for people to work and
live were prioritized.
A few adverse life changes are also worth discussing:
1. Emotional wellbeing took a toll for many of us,
2. Physical interaction, socializing norms like dining
with friends ’outdoors were limited
3. Large gatherings, weddings and related get togeth-
ers were curtailed and restricted for fear of the spread of
the virus.
4. 16% increase in depressive disorders
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
5. Job losses were at an alarming rate resulting in fi-
nancial stress to people
6. Business closures and subsequent economic de-
pression
Conclusions
Emergence of a pandemic of this magnitude in our cen-
tury, showed that humans are not infallible and commu-
nities need to be prepared. People have endured through
at least three spikes in coronavirus infections thus far.
We might be at the precipice of another wave anytime
soon. Several factors including the willingness to get
vaccinated, effectiveness of vaccines over time, human
behavior, infection prevention policies, changes to the
coronavirus itself, have influenced the rise or decline in
COVID cases in the past 2 years.
Vaccines can protect from severe complications from
COVID illness. Yet, many people remain hesitant to re-
ceive the available COVID vaccines. In 2019, the WHO
named vaccine hesitancy, the reluctance or refusal to
vaccinate despite available vaccines, as a top 10 global
health threats.
Global vaccine inequities remain an international chal-
lenge. At least 60% of the US population has been vac-
cinated. In comparison, only 6% of Africa has been vac-
cinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has managed to exac-
erbate those inequities, underscoring longstanding so-
cial, economic, and political inequities between wealthy
and poor nations. Public health experts and govern-
ments should work together in reducing this disparity.
Restrictive measures like social distancing, masks, early
detection, isolation, contact tracing, quarantine of the
exposed, and lock down, had revealed as the most effi-
cient actions to control the spread of the disease. Alt-
hough a worldwide reduction in number of cases is not-
ed, a fourth wave is very likely. Let us pray that the global
community will strive toward following expert sugges-
tions in future, attempt to manage and mitigate the gravi-
ty of the disease in the years to come.
*Dr. John K. Thomas
holds, B. Sc. Hons, MS and
Ph.d in Allied Health Sci-
ences. He is a member of
Tabor Mar Thoma Church,
New York. He is currently
serving as Tabor MTC
church secretary, and dioc-
esan assembly member of
the Diocese of North Ameri-
ca and Europe of the Mar
Thoma Church.
16 | Page
Book Information
‘Unmasking the Syriacs: The Hidden Origin of Indian
Christianity, an Archaeo-Linguistic Approach’. By Jeevan
Philip, 2022, Associate Books and publishes, Eranaku-
lam, India. PP 380. $ 44, Rs 1490.
Amazon International purchase link:
https://www.amazon.com/Unmasking-Syriacs-
CHRISTIANITY-Archaeo-linguistic-
Approach/dp/145839123X
Amazon India purchase link:
https://www.amazon.in/UNMASKING-SYRIACS-
HIDDEN-ORIGIN-CHRISTIANITY/dp/B09RKK771H/
This book is about the origin of
Indian Christianity, especially Syr-
iac Christianity, based on archae-
ological findings from ancient
sites of the Afro-Eurasian Socio-
commercial network. In light of
the archaeological data and artis-
tic imagery represented in Central
Asian religious Syncretism and
historical narrative, the author
questions the Martyrdom of St.
Thomas at Mylapore, Chennai,
and its prime evidence Pahlavi
inscribed crosses. Contrary to popular belief, the author
meticulously suggests the possibility of a Gnostic origin
of Pahlavi crosses of South India. He proposes the origin
of present-day Syriac Christianity in India is an amal-
gamation of different gnostic groups comprising Farsi-
Dravidian Manichaeans and Judeo-Dravidian pre-proto-
orthodox groups in post 9th century period under the
Syriacs missionary supervision. Analysing archaeological
data against the history of the Indian Ocean trade along
with the evolution of the symbol of the cross in Christen-
dom, the author questions the claims of Syriac Churches
not only in India but also in Mesopotamia and Central
Asia. To substantiate his proposals, the author provides
a detailed study on the central Asian and Chinese evolu-
tion of the cross symbol, suggesting the possible reli-
gious Syncretism played by Manichaeism, Buddhism,
Taoism, and East Syriac Christianity. The study on the
spread wing motifs of crosses from Sasanian Christianity
will be an eye-opener to the Indian Syriac Christians who
falsely claim that the spread wings of Pahlavi crosses are
Lotus-cross combinations that built similar to Quinjiao
crosses of south China, which was historically a product
of the Buddhist-Manichaean-Nestorian Syncretism. Fi-
nally, the explanation of Makara imagery on the Mount
cross bas-relief structure substantiated by the ontologi-
cal principle of Manichaeism and its literature, especially
Chinese Manichaean Hymn scroll H19 in which a com-
munity of Manichaean auditors calls Jesus (Yishu) to
save their boat from the Makara, the representative of
the realm of Dark forces possibly reveals the true identity
of the Mount cross.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Faith of Jesus and Faith in Jesus
Prof. Dr. Jacob Parappally MSFS, Pune*
Martin Buber, a well-known Jewish philosopher once
said, “Belief of Jesus unites us, belief in Christ divides
us”! It sounds like a simple statement but it challenges
both our understanding of the identity of Jesus of Naza-
reth and our transforming faith in him. The New Testa-
ment presents Jesus as the one who had deep faith in
his Father. The Letter to the Hebrews, after explaining
the meaning of faith and supplying a list of the Old Tes-
tament witnesses who are models of heroic faith (Ch.11),
presents Jesus as “the pioneer and the perfecter of our
faith” (RSV Heb 12:2). Various other Bible translations of
this verse present Jesus as the author, leader or founder
of our faith depending on the theological understanding
of the translators whether Jesus needed to have faith or
not! It also depends on the understanding one’s faith
affirmation that Jesus Christ is God became human, in-
deed, truly human and its consequences. For many
Christians it is easy to believe that Jesus Christ is truly
God but difficult to accept that he lived as a real human
like any other human being. After affirming Jesus was
God’s Son and yet human (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15; 5:7ff.) the
Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to model our faith look-
ing at Jesus ’faith.
The response to the question whether Jesus is able to
cure the epileptic boy, his answer that everything is pos-
sible for the one who believes (cf. Mk 9:23) can refer to
both Jesus ’own faith and also the faith of the one who
seeks his help. In spite of the apostolic witness about
Jesus ’faith, the Scholastic manuals of Christology af-
firmed that there was no need for Jesus to have faith.
The reason for this assertion was the Scholastic position
that Jesus had beatific vision. If Jesus has beatific vision
or blessed vision of God all the time, he does not need
faith. Such an assertion goes against the NT witness
about his being human and having faith sharing our con-
dition of life in this world as well as against the Chalce-
don faith-affirmation that he is truly human like us while
being truly God.
Faith of Jesus
According to the NT testimony, the Son of Man offers
total fidelity to God whom he experienced as his Abba.
He is totally committed to his Father and his mission. He
shows absolute preference for his Father’s will, love and
commands over his own wishes (Mk 14:36). He perse-
veres in his faithfulness to his Father come what may. He
seeks communion with his Father through his prayer. He
lets his Father plan and arrange everything for him and
he totally surrenders himself to his Father’s will. Thus, for
Jesus, his faith in his Father was not an abstract idea. It
had to be actualized at every moment of his life in the
17 | Page
concrete situation of his life (J. Sobrino, Christology at
Crossroads, 1978, pp 87-95).
The actualization of Jesus ’faith in the context of his life
can be compared to anyone’s faith in general. Faith is
an essential dimension of every human being whether
he/she believes in God or not. Both the believers in God
and non-believers share one thing in common, namely,
their faith in some basic human values and its actualiza-
tion. Such a faith in general has three stages in its pro-
gression and expression. The first stage of the faith in
general is basing one’s personal life on some accepted
values like love, justice, equality, fellowship, peace, rec-
onciliation etc. which need to be concretized in one’s
actual life situation. In the second stage of faith, one
concretizes these values with commitment in the context
of one’s life, which would eventually evoke conflict be-
cause of the forces that oppose these values. One grows
in this faith when one encounters the challenges and in
the midst of the conflicts one may be able to change the
situation or one may be affected by the situation in such
a way that one may call his or her faith into question. The
struggle is to move from an abstract faith to a new faith
that is liberative as it would make one a truly unfolded
human being. In a situation of injustice, oppression, dis-
crimination, dehumanization etc. to live one’s faith as the
conviction of upholding the values justice, love, equality
etc., and challenging the structures would inevitably lead
to conflict. The institutionalization of injustice and dehu-
manization, corruption and so on calls one’s faith into
question. When one is in such a painful situation, there is
no assurance of the victory of faith or the values one be-
lieves in. Thus, the faith enters into the third stage
where one has to decide to give up faith, that is, to give
up the values one believes in or give up life itself for the
cause of one’s faith.
Jesus ’faith in his Father finds expression in his fidelity to
his mission. His mission is to proclaim and establish the
Kingdom of God. Every Jew believed that God’s reign
was coming in the future. But Jesus is absolutely certain
that God’s kingdom is not a future reality but a present
one and it has already come. He is certain too that the
Kingdom of God is inseparably connected with his very
person. In fact, he realizes that he is the agent of the
Kingdom. His fidelity to the Father and his mission is ex-
pressed in the values of the Kingdom he preached. The
first value of the Kingdom, which he preached, was the
sovereignty of God, the Father, who makes every human
value authentic. The values of the Kingdom that flow
from his experience of his Father are self-emptying love,
justice, peace, equality, fellowship, reconciliation and so
on. The socio-religious systems of his time opposed the-
se values and created a situation of injustice, dehumani-
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
zation, discrimination and marginalization. In the process
of actualizing his faith, Jesus sides with the poor and the
marginalized and prophetically denounces structural sins
and injustice. He proclaims the unconditional love of his
Father and forgives and reconciles those who repent of
their personal sins and are willing to live the values of the
Kingdom. Thus, in the process of concretizing his faith,
Jesus encounters conflicts.
The NT witness to this conflict of Jesus with powers that
oppose the values of the Kingdom. The whole gospel
according to Mark narrates this conflict very dramatically
as a battle between God’s power manifested in Jesus
and all forms of evil powers. It is in this second stage of
his faith that Jesus also experiences his real temptation
to discontinue his mission. Jesus experiences rejection
and he withdraws even geographically for some time.
(Mk 8:11). He is not understood even by his disciples as
they are thinking of him as a political Messiah and seek-
ing positions in his kingdom. It appears that his mission
is going to fail. The conflict reaches its climax in the third
stage of his faith when Jesus has to take a decision and
the conflict is no more with the powers that oppose him
but a conflict within himself. It takes place in the Garden
of Gethsemane (Mk 14:32-42; Mt 26:36-46; Lk 22:39-
46; Jn 18:1). In the final stage of his faith, Jesus faces
not only his impending death but also the death of his
cause. Jesus has to take decision either to give up the
cause of the Kingdom which the Father has entrusted to
him and which he proclaimed with authority and signs or
give up his life. The temptation to give up the cause of
the Kingdom is very strong in him and at the same time
he is tormented by his faithfulness to his Father and his
mission. Luke narrates the intensity of Jesus ’agony as
he prayed, stating that “his sweat became great drops of
blood falling down on the ground” (Lk 22:44). Finally, he
gives up his life rather than giving up the cause of the
Kingdom he stood for. He lets go off his life and surren-
ders totally to the will of his Father (Mk 14:36).
Jesus ’faith is his exclusive confidence in his Father and
total obedience to his mission. Therefore, faith is very cen-
tral to his life. It is this faith that he valued more than his
own life. He had to go through real struggle to overcome the
temptation to give up his faith and to recover it in situations
that called his faith into question especially with regard to
his own experience of his Father as unconditional love and
forgiveness, and as the one who valued humans more than
the Sabbath and the temple. The faith of Jesus is the mod-
el for our commitment to the values of the Kingdom and the
faith in Jesus means that in him we discover the way to God
and encounter God. Jesus ’faith leads him to the Cross. The
faith of the disciples also cannot be lived and expressed
without the cross.
Faith in Jesus
The early Church experienced Jesus as the Lord and
God of their lives and proclaimed his Lordship over their
life and the entire humanity! He was encountered as the
18 | Page
final, decisive and definitive revelation of God and they
experienced a total transformation of their lives. They
experienced not only liberation from their sins but also
the wholeness of life. They were strict monotheists but
after the Pentecost they began to experience God as the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ as the Son
of God and the Holy Spirit as the Spirit and Power of
God. Their faith in Jesus distinguished them from the
rest of their Jewish brothers and sisters. But also they
had to pay a price of their belief in Jesus. They were ex-
communicated by the Jewish religious authorities that
they could not anymore join their worship in the syna-
gogues. Their faith conviction was so deep that Paul ex-
pressed it in strong words when he preached saying,
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but
we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews
and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wis-
dom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). The post-
resurrectional experience of Jesus as Lord and God of
their lives, the meaning of their lives and the Alpha and
the Omega of their lives was proclaimed by the apostles.
The evangelists had no hesitation to transpose such a
transforming experience of Jesus Christ after his resur-
rection to affirm that Jesus was Lord and God and the
Son of God also during his earthly life itself and he was
not just a human who became Lord and God after his
resurrection. So, in their writings about the good news of
liberation, salvation or wholeness, they introduced such
post-resurrection confessional statements of faith like
that of Peter’s confession about the identity of Jesus as
Messiah or Christ and Son of God (Mk 8:27; Mt 16:16) or
Martha’s confession of faith (Jn 11:27ff.) as if they were
made during the earthly life of Jesus. So too is the reve-
lation of the glory of the Son of God as the beloved Son
of the Father on Mount Tabor. The fundamental Christian
confession was that Jesus was truly human though he
was the Logos or the Second Person of the Trinity. It was
in early Councils of the Church these confessions were
articulated and expressed in theological terms using
Greek categories of thought.
It was one of the earliest kerygma that wholeness or sal-
vation depended on faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. (Rom
10: 9) Paul tells us about it in his Letter to the Romans:
“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that
is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you
confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justi-
fied, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. The
scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to
shame" (Rom 10:8-11). There are discussions among the
exegetes and biblical theologians whether the expression
Pistis Christou in Romans 3:22 and Galatians 2:16 should
be translated as faith in Jesus Christ or faith of Jesus
Christ. Though there may be a few arguments for the
latter expression, if we take the entire theology of Paul it
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
must be affirmed that one’s justification or sanctification Corona Pandemic and God of all Grace
depends on faith or total surrender to Christ, which is Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam
faith in Jesus Christ.
O God of all Grace, Covid -19 has disturbed us.
According to Paul, our existence is in Christ. In fact, eve-
Are you quite far away from us?
ry human being is in Christ due to the hominization or the
Are you not hearing our desperate cry?
incarnation of the Word. It is an ontological reality. That
How do we protect life, O God of life?
is the state of the old creation. In order to become a new
creation, one has to surrender to Jesus Christ freely or in
We keep social distancing because of a decree.
others words, have faith in Jesus Christ. Paul uses differ-
We observe folk curfew as a sign of untouchability.
ent formulae to express our Christian life in Christ. Ac-
Is untouchability a panacea for cure?
cording to him, by faith we move into Christ and at bap-
Lord, have mercy upon us!
tism we are with Christ, and then we are in Christ and
finally beyond this life on earth we will be with Christ. Our
The words of the Psalmist ring in our ears:
present existence after our baptism by which we are in-
It is good for us that we are humbled.
corporated into Christ and blessed with the indwelling of
To learn your statutes. across the globe.
the Holy Spirit we are in Christ. Our faith in Jesus Christ
I am asked to keep distance from others for safety.
is the actualization of our human vocation, which is also
offered to every human being who is created in Christ
But your instruction is to be in touch with people in need,
and objectively redeemed by the hominization of the
As a sign of kindness to our fellow men,
Word. To make the objective redemption effective one
As a gesture of caring and sharing what we have.
must make it subjective by faith in Jesus. In fact, we are
Lord, reveal the mystery of life to us.
older than the world because God “chose us in him
[Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Eph.:4). In
Yes, we may seem like the sands of the sea shore,
Jesus Christ all are united. Faith in Jesus Christ does not
But we are more like branches of a tree.
divide us but makes us truly human and communitarian.
“No man is an island”, proclaimed sages.
*Prof. Dr. Jacob Parappally MSFS is the Chief Editor of Help us to learn the language of ‘New Normal’.
the Journal of Indian Theology. He was the President of
the Indian Theological Association (ITA) and was a resi- Covid- 19 needs no passport to cross man- made
dent Professor of theology at the Faculty of Theology at boundaries
Jnana-Deepa, Pontifical Institute of Religion and Philoso- So, help us to care for one another and live for one an-
other
phy, Pune, India E-Mail: parappally@gmail.com
And wait for the Kairos to know what is unknown today.
What a great lesson for seeking atonement!

19 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

Great is HIS Faithfulness
Prof. Dr. John Daniel, Dallas*
This is the story of a young man who grew up in a small vil-
lage in central Kerala, where his parents provided an envi-
ronment to develop a quest to search for meaning and pur-
pose of his life. The purpose of this article is to share with
readers how God proved His faithfulness over and over
again and used him as an instrument of His love in the field
of health care and Allied Health professional education in
India and abroad for more than 50 years.
Background, primary and secondary/college education
“For men and woman are not only themselves; they are also
region in which they were born, the city or farm in which
they learned to walk, the games they played as children, the
old wives’ tales they overheard. the food they ate, the
schools they attended, the sports they followed and the
God they believed in” (W. Somerset Maugham, The Razer’s
Edge). I was born and brought up in a village in late nineteen
forties, soon after obtaining independence from the British
rule. India was going through its infancy as a sovereign,
democratic nation under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru,
first Prime Minister of India. After completing my primary
education in my village primary school, I attended English
high school in Mavelikara and passed SSLC examination in
first class. I remember with gratitude my very dedicated
teachers, both in primary and secondary schools, who
played a vital role in my educational achievements.
I joined Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, as a pre-degree
student in 1964 under the able and dedicated leadership of
Rev K. C, Mathew, MSc, MRE and his experienced Team of
teachers and administrators. I am proud to note here that I
am one of the first batch of students of Bishop Moore. I re-
member with pride and gratitude to learn that this college
has become a very prominent educational institution in Cen-
tral Kerala.
. Thus, my entry into education field started unexpectedly
Choice of my professional carrier in Health care field
A significant turning point in my life arrived during my se-
cond year in Bishop Moore College. I was not sure what is
best route that I may pursue as my life long career. Why did
I choose this field in spite of my doubts and confusions?
I chose a title for this article, which says “Great is His faith-
fulness “. Let me attempt to write my search after a God
whom I have heard and accepted by faith not knowing
which direction He is going to take me through. Yes, the
turning point was on November 23,1965, a cloudy and rainy
day in Mavelikara. After my physics lab, I began to walk
home which is more than 3 kilometers from my house. As I
was walking through a railway bridge, train approached very
quickly and I found myself standing in the middle of the
bridge. There was no way of escape from certain death ex-
cept to jump down from Bridge. I was miraculously saved
and that incident opened my eyes and shed light on my
20 | Page
path to choose a profession to dedicate the rest of my life
for persons who are physically challenged due to injury or
disease. I left my country home and beloved parents and
relatives 54 years ago to start my next season in life. I com-
pleted a diploma in physiotherapy in a mission hospital in
South India administered by Salvation Army. Dr. Harry Wil-
liams, FRCS, CBE was chief medical officer of this hospital,
He was a pioneer in Physiotherapy Education in India. I was
exposed to more than 40 foreign missionaries from various
countries. Special mention may be made of Mr. James R.
Millar, MCSP, Principal of School of physiotherapy. He was
very influential in my growth and commitment to rehabilita-
tion, especially among marginalized and forgotten humans
such as Leprosy patients.
Next, I describe my humble beginning in educational field
and how the unseen hand of God led me to play a signifi-
cant role in higher education. I trust that my story would
inspire students and faculty in higher education to continue
their calling in education and research to discover novel
approaches to improve quality of education.
Twelve years in Karnataka and contributions in practice
and education
In fact, I became an educator while I was a second-year
student at the mission hospital where I completed my initial
physiotherapy education. My principal, Mr. Millar asked me
one day in my second year: “Daniel, I have an assignment
for you, I do not know if you can do it; he continued: “this
applicant is legally blind and uses braille as his means of
written communication. Can you assist me?” Without any
hesitation, I told him, “Yes, sir”. He replied, “are you willing
to spend at least 2 hours daily tutoring him and I will provide
the course syllabus?”
and this gentleman became a physiotherapist at Trivandrum
medical college, neurology department and a led a very
productive, professional and family life. I met him 21 years
ago in his department and needless to say that it was ful-
filling moment in my life. Later on, I was selected by student
senate of a public university in the US as “Teacher of the
Year”, but I consider this opportunity to educate a legally
blind man more precious and valuable than my other uni-
versity honors.
My first appointment was at ETCM hospital, Kolar, India
(1969-71), administered by the United Methodist Church.
Physiotherapy department was located in a dark room with-
out ventilation with limited space and equipment. I was able
to convince administration that within a year, physiotherapy
can play a vital role in the overall health care team, along
with doctors and nurses. Administration provided me a new
space with all basic needs to practice physiotherapy in my
second year of service there. They had a well-developed
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
outreach program for leprosy patients aided by the Ameri-
can Leprosy Mission. I became an integral part of the medial
team giving wound care and rehabilitation procedures for
this population. Moreover, I was asked to teach Nursing
students basic anatomy and physiology; I also played a role
as a clinical supervisor to nursing students as their guide for
post-surgical nursing care and respiratory care for chest
physiotherapy to deter adverse effects of prolonged bed
rest during hospital stay.
Head of the department of Physiotherapy - ITI hospital,
Bangalore (1971-1981)
I was hired by ITI with a significant increase in my salary and
other allowances, which was essential at that time to fulfill
my obligations and duties as a member of a closed, extend-
ed family who cared for one another in those days. I am very
much aware that culture has significantly changed since
then due to job opportunities for this new generation to ad-
vance their dreams and aspirations in life.
Unlike the mission hospital at Kolar, ITI hospital was very
well equipped with spacious rooms and all modern physio-
therapy modalities. My task was to educate physicians on
the role of physiotherapy in an acute care hospital. My mis-
sion hospital experiences provided a solid foundation to
serve every patient referred to me as a unique person irre-
spective of their position, religion, or language. I found this
as an opportunity to advance my physiotherapy profession-
al skills. The administration of the hospital appreciated my
work ethics and hard work and they sent me to Jawaharlal
Nehru Institute of physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in
New Delhi in 1973 for 6 months and I became a member of
Indian Association of Physiotherapist (MIAP).
Let me add few comments for our thoughts and reflection.
For a Christian in the workplace, it should not matter wheth-
er or not he is in vocational Christian ministry. Even a secu-
lar job can be a sacred ministry for the Lord. “Whatever you
do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for human masters, since you know that you will receive an
inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ
you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Everything we do,
from work, to relationships, to hobbies, to eating and drink-
ing, is to be done for the glory of God (2 Corinthians 10:31).
A word of wisdom or comment to ponder is appropriate
here. Some categorization is good and necessary in life. We
must not confuse the purposes of the various institutions in
society. God has tasked the church, for example, with
spreading the gospel, discipling believers, and blessing the
culture it is immersed in. The Church has the sacred pur-
pose of gracefully, lovingly, and patiently pointing society to
Christ. God has tasked the State, on the other hand, with
restraining evil, punishing wrongdoers, and rewarding the
righteous through the execution of justice (Romans 13:1-5).
In other words, our mission is to promote peace and justice
in a broken world. The State, too, has a sacred purpose,
since “the one in authority is God’s servant” (Romans 13:4).
Church and State operate in different spheres, by God’s
21 | Page
design. But, if both entities do their jobs well, each benefit
from the other.
The common designations of “secular” and “sacred” are
overused. A Christian artist will create art to the glory of
God. A Christian musician will create music to the glory of
God. A Christian homemaker will bake cakes to the glory of
God. A Christian mechanic will fix cars to the glory of God.
The possibilities are endless; as we walk in his Spirit, the
line between secular and sacred becomes increasingly
blurred. The Christian task is making the secular sacred.
My Association with Hoskote Mission
During my stay in Bangalore, I was associated with Rev. E.
J. George and other evangelists in Hoskote mission of the
Mar Thoma Syrian Church. My first supervisor in ETCM
hospital, Kolar was Dr. M.C. Koshy, MRCP who retired as
the medical director of Hoskote mission medical center. Dr.
Koshy taught me how to take Electro cardiogram (ECG)
while working in Kolar, which led me to pursue a specializa-
tion in cardiopulmonary therapeutics in rehabilitation and
become a Tenured Associate Professor in a prominent pub-
lic university in Texas, USA. My background as an EKG
technician in Kolar continued in ITI hospital and I played a
significant role in starting an Intensive coronary care (ICCU)
unit in the hospital. Along with fulltime job at ITI hospital, I
have had the privilege to be a friend and supporter of this
great mission center. I rejoice to see how this mission cen-
ter has expanded over the years with a modern hospital and
a school of nursing.
My Immigration to the United States in 1982
Due to shortage of physical therapists and other health care
professionals, the USA granted immigration visa to these
selected of professionals to become permanent residents
and later US citizens. I arrived in New York on 3rd of Janu-
ary,1982. I stayed in New York for four months with my el-
der brother and family. During my stay in New York, I was
actively involved in the Mar Thoma church at New York. I
moved to Iowa and started my first job as a physical thera-
pist in a state hospital near Des Moines, the capital of Iowa.
It was a very large state institution for persons with mental
retardation (current term intellectually deficient). I was able
to easily adapt to Midwest culture and I joined the United
Methodist church, where I was well received by the com-
munity and church because of my faith and heritage. During
my tenure stay there, the Institution went through a federal
inspection process and funding was declined until stand-
ards were are met to fulfill federal standards of care for the
specific population. It was a very difficult time for this small
farming community who depended on this state institution
for their employment and source of income. I was able play
an important role to regain the funding and recertification. I
continued my education in Iowa while I was working for
them as a staff and later as a consultant. I completed a BS
degree and advanced Master’s degree (MS) with specializa-
tion in cardiopulmonary therapeutics from School of Medi-
cine, University of Iowa. I completed a research study
there, which I used for my Master’s thesis.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
My role and contribution in research (clinical and educa-
tional) in public institutions
My first contribution was in clinical research. Saying goes
‘necessity is the mother of invention’. The State institution
faced a very serious situation as I described earlier. There
were more than 600 residents in this institution. They were
abandoned by their parents and the state took responsibility
to take care of them. I provided leadership with our rehabili-
tation team including Psychologists to design a study to
evaluate the effect of exercise (physical activity) and mental
health. In other words, how physical inactivity affected
negative (maladaptive behavior such as aggression and
self-abusive behaviors in persons with mental retardation
(Anchuthengil et al. 1992a, 1992b).
The results of the study indicated that Exercise training pro-
duced concomitant reduction in the frequency of maladap-
tive behavior such as aggression and self-injury, which re-
quired behavior modification and psychotropic medication.
My assumptions proved true because these residents were
practically “locked down” in their individual housing units,
with no opportunity to interact and play, which affected their
mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of
specific populations due to lack of opportunities to physi-
cally and socially interact with other students in schools and
colleges. Moreover, findings in my research reinforces need
for physical education in our primary and secondary edu-
cation to maintain physical fitness, which appears to have a
relationship to mental health.
Online education via video conferencing platforms such as
google meet and Zoom are useful tools and can be effec-
tively utilized in higher education which is my next topic of
discussion.
Soon after graduation (1991), I was appointed as an assis-
tant professor at a large public Academic medical center in
West Texas. During my interview, Dean of the school gave
me the key responsibility to expand, recruit and train allied
health professionals to meet the demand of rehabilitation
professionals in Texas and surrounding states.
But, how do we do this expansion? It was decided by the
President of the University to use video conferencing - syn-
chronous and asynchronous - education model with interac-
tive television with multimedia apps, Master control assist-
ing instructors from control room. Once a week, faculty
travels to distant campuses and conducts face to face lab
and lectures from each site. In spite of Covid 19, Tech pro-
grams continue to thrive and has become one of the largest
schools of health professions in the USA offering Bachelors
to Doctoral degrees in various disciplines including physical
therapy, Occupational therapy, Speech and Audiology.
I conducted a doctoral research project to evaluate the ef-
fects of learning style and learning environment (synchro-
nous vs asynchronous) in achievement of physical therapy
graduate students in distance education (Anchuthengil et
al,1999). The implications from research for higher educa-
22 | Page
tors include but not limited to the following: 1) Educators
should ensure that activities are designed and carried out in
ways that offer each learner a chance to engage in the
manner that suits them best; 2) individuals can be helped to
learn more effectively by the identification of their lesser
preferred learning styles and the strengthening of these
through the application of the experiential learning cycle;
and 3) Ideally, activities and material should be developed in
ways that draw on abilities from each stage of the experien-
tial learning cycle and take the students through the whole
process in sequence. It is noteworthy to mention here that
my entire doctoral research was fully supported by a univer-
sity grant. My doctoral dissertation received an award from
the University.
Conclusion
As I conclude my attempt to describe my humble contribu-
tions in the field of health care and Education, I remembered
a quote by the great German Christian philanthropist,
George Müller, who wrote about his ministry to orphans:
“Lord led me to this work. He gave me faith for it. He sus-
tained my faith for it to the end. He provided the means. He
remarkably helped me through one difficulty after the other.
Had he not upheld me in the midst of them all, I should have
been surely overwhelmed by them.”
References
1. Anchuthengil, John D, Nielsen D.H, Schulenburg J, Hurst
R and Davis M.J (1992a): “Effects of an Individualized
Treadmill Exercise Training Program on Cardiovascular Fit-
ness of Mentally Retarded Adults in an Institutional Setting"
Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 16:220-
228
2. Anchuthengil, John D, Nielsen D.H, and Schulenburg J
(1992b): " Deceleration of Aggressive and Self-Injurious be-
havior of an Institutionalized Adult with Mental Retardation
by Progressive Treadmill Exercise Training: A Single Subject
Repeated Measures Study" APTA Journal, Conference is-
sue, June.
3. Anchuthengil, John D and Olivarez A (1999): Validity and
Reliability of Kolb’s learning style inventory. Southwest Ed-
ucational Research Association Conference issue, January.
*Prof. Dr. John A. Daniel is a
former Associate Professor of
Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center, Lubbock,
Texas, U.S.A. Author reflects
on his faith journey for the last
54 years and credits God for
His faithfulness for all his
achievements and honors in
the field of education and
health care. Professor John
Daniel is a member of the Mar
Thoma Church Dallas, Farmers
Branch.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
A Viral Apocalypse in Our Houses of Mercy
Revd Dr. John T. Mathew, Canada*
Three years in, a pandemic juggernaut created a global In-
tensive Care Unit where millions of humans are abandoned
on the curb outside our houses of mercy.
Saint John reports that an eerie exercise at the pool of Be-
thesda circumvented a sick man for 38 years (Jn 5:2-
9). The transgressors are dawdling custodians and a vul-
pine angel. The paralytic’s brazen reply to Jesus’ no-
nonsense grilling corroborates that the managers of the
pool had fenced the outpatients off so that they would out-
manoeuvre one another.
The sickness upended his life for decades; yet he was not
let down, being thrown on the curb waiting for his turn. Pull-
ing no punches Jesus asked: Do you want to get bet-
ter? The strung-out patient chalked up to assail the daunt-
ing drill at the pool. In other words, ‘don’t point the finger at
me, Jesus; lay the blame on the angel or the status quo.’
When Jesus de-spiritualized the healing process, the sick
man complained about a depersonalizing arrangement. Je-
sus turned this healing story into an all-out assault on those
who claim to be the healing agencies.
The severity of viral infections and vaccination programs
alienated both abject and affluent nations where people are
forced out of the tonic pool to bite the dust. For the hard-up
being hurled into a hostile world, often flouted, is an alba-
tross that bedevils all living creatures. Categorically we have
no give-away of sacred secrets being let go into this life
regarding time, place, gender, pedigree of cultural, social
and religious walk of life.
The de-densification of worship places and the upsurge in
remote participation and simulated interaction over the past
couple of years has been onerous for both leaders and
sponsors. The faithful are ditching the sanctuaries; pandem-
ic malediction reminds us that we need our community to
enjoy our being; our disgraced hubris to reject others is not
helpful for our health and wellbeing. Snub, ostracism and
public shaming are tools to cancel culture verdict to destroy
human dignity.
The regimented Bethesda hangout gagged its adherents.
Jesus launched a blistering attack on the hobbling holdo-
vers in charge of the healing ministries. We travel intention-
ally with no final destination through life to figure out a jour-
ney of self-discovery. All living creatures go off the rails; all
humans are peripatetic or on an outing of moving about
from place to place; however, don’t we all have that proclivi-
ty to get lost, wander, go adrift.
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to endless night
(William Blake)
A chauvinist snapped when a woman volunteered to repre-
sent her denomination at an ecumenical forum: ‘Keep her in
her place’. The 21 century church clones the 19 century
st th
German system: 'Let women adhere to the three K's, – die
23 | Page
Küche, die Kirche, die Kinder ' (kitchen, church, and chil-
dren). The church must denounce misogynists who pro-
mote subordination of women. The raison d'etre of a faith
tradition is to create a Bethesda – house of mercy, a caring
community for the faithful, never a carking club of control
freaks. Jean-Paul Sartre’s play ‘No Exit’ reminds us: ‘Hell
is other people.’
Matthew Arnold’s poem, Dover Beach predicts an ontologi-
cal shift from faith to evolution.
‘Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night’
‘Thrownness’ began in the blissful Garden of Eden when the
first couple were extirpated. Abraham and Sara walked off
their sheltered turfdom. Their children were displaced slaves
in Mizraim. Moses was thrown in the creek. Baby Jesus was
flung into a forlorn Bethlehem in the dark Roman settlement,
sent away as a child to Egypt and the people of Nazareth
tried to throw him over a cliff. Finally, Jesus was hurled out
of Jerusalem to be crucified in Golgotha - on an excruciat-
ing Roman device by losers - an introvert emperor Tiberius
and a spiteful governor Pilate who did not know Yahweh or
the immortals and deities of the ancient cultures.
Robert Frost’s Nothing Gold Can Stay prods:
‘So, Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down today.
Nothing gold can stay’
In our ‘cancel culture’ sickness, an original social root canal,
many good people were shown the door to captivity. King
David was disciplined for bad behaviour. St. John was ex-
iled to Patmos, a forlorn island under emperor Domitian.
Galileo advocated the Copernican theory that the earth
revolves around the sun. He was thrown into jail for life
by Pope Urban VIII for charges of alleged heresy. Ma-
hatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison by the
colonial rulers in his own native land. Martin Luther King Jr.
was sent to jail because he led peaceful protests. Nelson
Mandela spent the first 18 of his 27 years in jail at the
brutal Robben Island Prison.
Jesus cherry-picked his twelve disciples; nonetheless he
had a top brass of James, John and Peter who witnessed
Jesus’ dazzling triumphs and his dismal trials. One mega-
church pastor, who was ousted recently. told his unwary
listeners that “heaven moves” and “angels pay attention”
when he preaches!
We are informavores and we are informed of the rise and fall
of empires, dynasties, civilizations, cultures, nations, ideolo-
gies etc. The claimed Holy Crusades massacred millions of
people whose beliefs were not unholy but different. Imagine
the millions slaughtered during colonisations of indigenous
people! The number of the defeated is forgotten; however,
we celebrate the memory of the victors. However, religious
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
history is far more depressing than the history of human-
kind.
Sure, it is human to make mistakes, to miss deadlines, and
to fall short. The sick man stoked distrust in the Jewish
healing systems! His pushback did not make Jesus stand
down.
The church, overladen with divisions, distortions and here-
sies, has gone on the fritz from the day of Pentecost. My
first church history lessons unmasked granular details on
the assassination of Cardinal Beaton, who had at least six
children with his French mistress Marion Ogilvy.
Archbishop William Temple ordered his missionaries in India
never to read the unfettering Song of Mary, the Magnificat,
in public. Temple had known that his people were the
mighty, proud, evil colonizers in Mary’s Song Luke 1:51-53,
who ransacked, robed, raped and buried children and
women all over the globe. Despite his sneaky suspicion of a
tsunami-like power of Mary's song in the world, little did
Temple know that the first-century Nasaranis of Malabar
had been singing the seismic song in their weekly liturgy
centuries before the outsiders ‘discovered’ my backyard.
Temple's Raj wilted like lettuce within a thousand days!
Jesus who was busy breathing new life into broken and dy-
ing people could have avoided the sick man on the curb.
The Hebrew word Beth- hesda means “house of mercy” or
“house of grace.” In Hebrew and Aramaic, it could also
mean “shame” or “disgrace.” We must choose either to be a
house of mercy and grace or a house of shame and dis-
grace.
The healed man was grateful; however, the Jewish bureau-
crats tried to snitch the healer on to the imperial authority.
Martin Heidegger, the 20 century German philosopher
th
championed the concept of geworfenheit (thrown-ness)
The 1960s classic song ‘Riders on the storm’ reminded us:
Riders on the storm
Into this house we’re born
Into this world we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone,
About eight months in the thing called Corona, I was invited
to give a Memorial Lecture on the future of the church in a
post-pandemic world. Having learned of its lethal leverage, I
said ‘No’. When disasters happen, it is human to hope for a
quick-fix to hop over the messiness we created. All four
Gospel aretalogies or ātmastuti recorded in third person do
not mention a fight or flight situation Jesus ever set off. He
did not evade the sick man the way I would nervously cross
the street to avoid an unmasked pedestrian these days
mimicking the priest and Levite. Nor did he vituperate the
menacing management of the pool. Instead of dancing
around an exigent situation, Jesus rushed to take care of a
sick man.
When you feel either chucked out of the good graces of
family and friends, remember that you are always in the di-
vine grip of goodness and grace. Don’t let Martin
Heidegger’s thrownness (Geworfenheit) or Gautama Bud-
24 | Page
dha’s duhkha (suffering), self-inflicted as well as imposed,
determine or define who you are. Carl Jung had it right
when he said, ‘I am not what happened to me; but I am
what I choose to become.’ Jesus not only breaks into our
sinuous life experiences but upholds all of heaven and earth
together in the miracle of healing presence. Remember the
sacred mythical bird Garuda known also as Phoenix keeps
being reborn from its scorched nest.
Do you have any recollection of ever waking up during the
night with an ambiguity that honed your numinous naïveté?
We are distinctively outfitted with a plethora of healing en-
ergies to investigate such opacities to the hilt in life.
The primary role of religion is to help grapple with mys-
teries in life; certainly not to offer quick-fix answers to
inexplicable queries on suffering, death or lethal virus
infection.
After the Monsoon rains, the sunlit sky; after the sunset, the
sparkly sky in the dark. When you get scared out of your
wits, act in response with gratitude and share the good
news with those who down and out so that they may
receive energy and enthusiasm to move on.
For one, I got used to being thrown out all my life in aca-
deme and sacellum; thankfully the healer showed up and
made me stronger to pick up my mat and walk away. We
ought not slobber over or treasure anything to be irreplace-
able.
Faith with no meaning and purpose is like success with
no significance and spur in life. In our pandemic captivity,
the religious healing pools ought not emulate the Bethesda admin,
which did not recruit and retain top talent. When we find our-
selves waking up gasping for air on the edge of the pool,
Jesus always shows up on time and intervenes with the
promise of new life.
This healing narrative ensorcelled me as I battled health is-
sues in the cocoon of my early days. That’s when my moth-
er helped me rustle up my endorphins by drubbing her own
mantra of élan vital into me. ‘No one is snubbed on the curb
to wilt away but everyone is kept secure in the grip of
grace’! Learn to fly by the seat of your pants; shake a leg;
38 seconds might be forever so long to lie in wait in the
shadows for an angel to show up!
* Revd Dr. John T. Mathew (The Unit-
ed Church of Canada) is an ordained
minister in The United Church of Can-
ada – besides serving several urban
and rural congregations in the prov-
ince of Ontario, Canada, since 1975 –
he also taught in the Department of
Religious Studies, Hunting-
ton/Laurentian University, Sudbury,
Ontario. Revd Mathew was awarded
the Merrill Fellowship at Harvard Uni-
versity Divinity School; he was a Pastor-Theologian at the Cen-
tre of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ. He served at St.
Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen (Church of Scotland) as Ecu-
menical Guest Minister (2010) and Interim Minister in the Pres-
byterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (2015-2017).
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Recollections from my Diaspora Journey
Dr. Eapen Daniel, Philadelphia*
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that
count. It's the life in your years." (Abraham Lin-
coln)
Introduction
As a humble pioneer in the formation and support of the
Diocese of North America and Europe of the Mar Thoma
Church, I am greatly thankful for providing me an opportuni-
ty to write for the ‘FOCUS’ journal, which is celebrating its
10 anniversary. I am thankful and proud of the individuals
th
who have worked behind the ‘FOCUS’ and wish the publi-
cation a colorful future. At this juncture, I am also obliged to
many of our former and present laity as well as ordained
leaders who have worked and supported to take this Dio-
cese to its current esteem. We still have ways to travel and
tasks to achieve. I do not want to go into various milestones
that we have passed but want to mention that it’s the strong
faith of a lots of laities who have originally envisioned the
establishment of this Eastern Church on this prime western
hemisphere. As I have worked as the Chief Editor of the Mar
Thoma Messenger from 2002 to 2014, I have made a lot of
connections that are still influencing my Christian life. As a
powerful Diocese, our helping hands have reached out be-
yond the Diaspora to many Christian mission fields and fam-
ilies and individuals, regardless of religious orientation.
Many of these projects were promoted through Messenger
in its growing days. Glad to see that we continue to support
thousands of children back in India with their educational
needs through the ‘Light-to-Life’ program, successfully initi-
ated by our current Diocesan Bishop Rt. Revd Dr. Isaac Mar
Philoxenos Episcopa.
Living with fear and Uncertainty
Coming to this land of opportunities and getting settled here
was of some struggle, especially in the 70s and 80s as
many immigrants from that time frame may agree. But what
kept us going was the faith that got instilled in us by our
parents, church leaders, and the close-knit community that
we have left behind in India. I know that many are living wit-
nesses to this testimony of faith and courage, where our
Church still is a major contributing factor. As many authors
state, being fearless does not mean NOT feeling fear, rather
it means having control over it via the strength you have
gained from your spiritual enrichments and faith legacy from
your elders. In fact, some fears forced us to define practical
methods to overcome obstacles that were ahead in our di-
aspora journey. As a strong Christian, we envisioned our
future within the possible backgrounds and community
framework and followed a path of creative living. It's expe-
rience that teaches us to avoid certain paths and its experi-
ence that will lead us to that big breakthrough idea for a
better future.
25 | Page
Togetherness and Family
Many times, we feel that life is perfect and occasionally, we
felt otherwise as well. But all along, your faith community
and the close-knit family structures has sheathed you – both
in times of despair and in times of abundance. Remember
the old British phrase “Never eat alone”. It makes more
sense when we realize that it has the same strong extension
to the other phrase we often use “A family that prays to-
gether, stays together”. I was saddened to see that at some
point or even gradually, God and prayers were removed out
of our schools and colleges, and the community at large,
arguing that it’s not ‘Politically Correct”? But, as we all
know, that caused major erosions in community values,
moral ethics, and social integrity. Today we live in a society
where values and religious faith are diluted to its weakest
strength, and it has a lot to do with the leaders of the politi-
cal, civic, and other public realm. Many argue that the lead-
ers are not responsible, rather the family integrity should be
a concern of the owners and dwellers of the family. But the
reality is, the society in which you live- the air that you
breath and the culture that you are in, will greatly influence
your mindset without a question. Its almost like trying to
grow a plant in shades, and it will direct its branches to the
light, no matter, what the source of the light.
Happiness in life
For many years of our adult lives, we've fooled ourselves
into believing that the sole recognition of success & happi-
ness comes from the type of cars we own or the number of
zeros in our bank account, or the type of house you live in.
Apparently, we've adapted to the notion of material success
on a pedestal and convinced many around us to follow the
path. In a society that promote the pursuit of happiness,
carrying out a life where one's goal is to find enjoyment and
fulfillment through material goods is not only ineffective, but
it's a never-ending journey. The key to happiness is not
spending our time and hard-earned wealth acquiring goods.
The key to happiness is spending our time & mon-
ey experiencing life, especially in a Christian context. But
sadly, for many, this realization comes a bit late to their
lives. I remember visiting few on their death beds and none
ever asked what type of car I drive, or where and in which
house you live, rather they asked about family and relations.
Relations and relationships are of prime importance in a
Christian family set up, which in turn nurtures and strength-
ens the younger generations in their future endeavors.
Connecting with the Community
We all know many of our friends who have continually stat-
ed that when they retire, they are going to fulfil their ‘bucket
list’ such as traveling to new places, enjoy a countryside,
enjoy various types of food and culture, and other minimally
adventurous actions. But, by the time they retired, life was
strangled with many other issues and aspects to a point
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
where they must give up their dreams and aspirations. As a
senior, I advise my church youths and young families to in-
Book Information:
vest you time in such life experiences that will create pleas-
ureful memories for the whole family, let it be long or short ‘A Hindu Church and An Indian Christ: The Rejection
trips, social activities, cultural interactions, or charitable of ‘Syrian’ Christian Identity & The Quest for a Judeo-
moves. Let your neighbors visualize your faith and practic- Dravidian Bhartiya Malankara Nasrani Identity’
es, and let your community know your presence. Be a posi-
tive contributor to the betterment of lives around you. De- Authors: George Alexander, Greeshma Reddy, Skaria
pend on your faith to overcome obstacles. Roy, Joseph Noun
Language- English
Serve the Lord by Staying and being Active Format: Paperback and E-book
Pages: 342 pages
I have seen many who were productively active in our Price- Rs 550 for paperback and Rs 230 for kindle (Indi-
church functions later have slowly withdrawn from being an edition$ 25 for paperback and $ 3 for kindle (interna-
active anymore due to various reasons. Majority lost inter- tional edition)
est, due to conflicts on perception and outcomes. We need Publisher: Old Monk Publishing, Cochin
to realize that we are in a community consisting of people
from various backgrounds, different in all aspects of life, About the Book
and its our mind that need to incline with the common cul-
ture. We cannot rigidly demand change or movement that
This book compris-
will unknowingly inject displeasure in other’s thoughts. That
es reflections on the
is where our faith comes handy. Just like Apostle Paul stat-
ed in many of his letters, do it without self-righteousness
indigenous Malan-
and the feeling of “I”, rather do it as a servant of the Lord for kara Church and its
‘us in Christ’. Ignore the little discomforts on the way and faithful, the Hindu
look for the endpoint of common goodness. Nasranis, a caste-
based community in
Our Youths and the Younger generation India. The book dis-
cusses the identity
I do have a concern for the younger generation or the so crisis encountered
called ‘second generation of Kerala Immigrants’ who are by the present-day
NOT active participants of our Church and its manyfold ac- Nasranis, and how
tivities. I can see the reluctance as a part of social influence they are bound to
and not gaining what they intend to gain from attending the carry the 'Syrian'
Church and its common activities. Ironically, many attend tagline, a foreign
non-Malayalee churches and even support their activities identity over their
financially. When I ask the question why, their answers vary. shoulders. It is cat-
Some point to ‘politics in church’, ‘not walking the talk’, egorically stated
amount of time involved with our services and functions and that Malankara
so on. These reasons appear rather age related, or superfi-
Nasranis of India
cial. But to me, it may be that we failed at some point to
are not 'Syrian Christians' rather they are wrongly ad-
instill the trust and faith that carried us through and misled
dressed in that way. Most importantly the book depicts
them in what makes your life better and peaceful. I know
congregations / churches dedicated to serving our youths the cultural, religious and social relations between
are functioning well and more youth are joining, as time Nasranis and Hindus and explains how they are different
goes on. But we still need to switch our focus to the young- from the rest of the Christians. The book also reminds us
er generation and provide them with ample opportunities to that Malankara Church is not a by-product of European
express their faith through different forms of worship and missionary evangelism, but a socio-religious institution
testimony (feasible within our Churches frame) and let them that originated in India. It emphasizes the importance of
support the church in its financial aspects as well, by the Judeo-Dravidian and Bhartiya identity of Malankara
providing leadership opportunities with adult support. Nasrani, which has been overlooked as a result of foreign
influences. This thesis also showcases local age-old
*Dr. Eapen Daniel was former lecturer Nasrani cultural practices, traditions and the changes
of Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla. He that took place over the centuries as a result of colonial
is currently working at University of Christian domination. It calls on everyone to have a bet-
Pennsylavania, Philadelphia and previ-
ter and wider understanding of the Malankara Church,
ously at University of Texas M. D. An-
derson Cancer Center, Houston. He
which is a native community of India and not to confuse
was the Editor of “Mar Thoma Mes- it as a mere 'Christian Sect'. The book also debates con-
senger’ the official magazine of the temporary socio-political and religious scenarios and
Diocese of North America and Europe. boldly exposes various issues about the Malankara
Eapen44@gmail.com Church leadership.

26 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

Shalabhangal: A Legacy Takes Wings
Shalabhangal is a holistic development center for children,
under the ownership of the Mar Thoma Church, initiated as
a Sapthathy project of Rt. Revd Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos
Suffragan Metropolitan, on his 70th birthday, November
25, 2020. The 'Shalabhangal' name represents the idea of
a caterpillar growing into a beautiful butterfly. The institu-
tion is located in the building and property, donated by the
children of Mr. T. G. Thomas and Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas,
Naduvilazhikathu (Thekkekara Kuzhiyil), Kizhakketheruvu,
Kottarakara, in their memory and honor with the objective
of promoting the welfare and well-being of the local com-
munity and general population.
Coorilos Thirumeni was the 1 bishop of the newly formed
st
Kottarakara-Punalur Mar Thoma Diocese. Under Thiru-
meni’s leadership, numerous other humanitarian projects
have been launched for the benefit of broader
ty: Ashabhavan Pidavoor, Deepthi Balika Bhavan Pallip-
pad, Jyothis Mavelikkara, Deepam Balika Bhavan, Prath-
yasha Bhavan, Snehamritham, Sahayi, Abhayam, Aswas,
and Smruthy.
The motto of Shalabhangal is stated as: “Our purpose is to
help the children to have a bright future. We believe all cat-
erpillars have a scope of developing into colorful butter-
flies. So, we focus on the positives and possibilities of chil-
dren and not on their negatives and disabilities. We help to
emphasize the positives and possibilities and thereby
overcome the disadvantages and disabilities”.
His Grace the Most Revd Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Met-
ropolitan, Rt. Revd Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa, and
Rt. Revd Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan,
current Diocesan Bishop, are closely connected to the
Shalabhangal project. Revd Melvin Phillip Varghese is serv-
ing currently as the Director. The onset of Covid-19 and the
Diocesan formalities took almost two years for completing
the transfer deed on March 24, 2022.
Kuzhiyil family in Kizhakketheruve traces its origins to the
great, great grandfather, about 200 years ago. As per
27 | Page
family tradition, the family progenitor was either of Syrian
origin, or a descendant of a Christian convert from the
Travancore royal family. Most of the Kuzhiyil family mem-
bers belong to the Orthodox Church. TG Thomas and Ale-
yamma Thomas were people of strong faith, conviction and
prayer, with regular church attendance deemed mandatory
for the family. Aleyamma Thomas was a true “Lighted to
Lighten” Marthomite, from the Kochukizhakkethil family,
Thrikkannamangal, Kottarakara. In her blessed short life of
51 years, Aleyamma Thomas held tremendous influence on
so many, especially her ten (nine living) children.
All the nine Thomas family children are settled in the United
States, with most of them currently serving or have previ-
ously served in various Mar Thoma churches: Philadelphia
Mar Thoma Church, Canadian Mar Thoma Church, Mar
Thoma Church of Greater Washington, Chicago Mar Tho-
ma Church, New York St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church,
Houston Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston Trinity
Mar Thoma Church, Katy St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church,
Dallas Farmers Branch Mar Thoma Church, Austin Mar
Thoma Church and Virginia Immanuel Mar Thoma Church.
Following the passing of T.G. Thomas, the house remained
empty, except when family members visited. Based on
various discussions, the Family came to the conclusion
that donating the ancestral property and the house to the
Kottarakara Mar Thoma Diocese will benefit the community
best. Coorilos Thirumeni, the Diocesan Bishop at the time,
is well known to the Family and gladly accepted the prop-
erty gift.
Shalabhangal holds the great promise of nurturing the
physical, mental and spiritual well-being of innumerable
disadvantaged children in Kerala for years to come. Let’s
pray and hope that the life and legacy of TG Thomas and
Aleyamma Thomas, demonstrated beautifully through the
generous act of the family donation of the ancestral prop-
erty to the Mar Thoma Church, will serve as a shining ex-
ample for other Kerala Diaspora Christian families. May the
Lord Almighty inspire us through this wonderful example of
the Thomas family and help us to become a blessing to
others.
Details and contact information of Shalabhangal are
given below.
Website: https://www.shalabhangal.in/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/shalabhangal.kottarakara
Email: shalabangalktr@gmail.com
WhatsApp number: 919074819076
Dr. Cherian Samuel
For FOCUS Editorial Board
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
My Five Existential Questions and Answers
David Brand, London*
Next time you sit down at church take a good look around
you at your fellow and faithful believers and ask yourself the
following five questions.
1. What am I?
2. Where have I come from?
3. Where am I?
4. Why am I here?
5. Where will I go from here?
As a Christian you learn to acknowledge that God has a
purpose for each of us, otherwise you would not have been
created and placed on this earth in the first place. The
Christian view of Karma is that it is a bucket list of personal
events and results of right or wrong decisions that we have
to experience in order to develop further. This means God
has a plan tailored to fit every one of us with his own
schedule that has no human limitations like time, cost, ma-
terial, profit, market share, quality, technical innovation, sat-
isfying investors or anything else.
So, do you have any conception, any distant of memory
buried deep in your subconscious mind, any tantalising
flashing hint of something totally different, pleasant or un-
pleasant that you cannot recall but know it exists? If you are
interested then please read on. It is my hope that you may
have a faint recall that is buried deep inside you.
1. What am I?
Well, that is easy enough, you were created on this earth
from flesh by a union between a man and a woman; but that
only tells you what you are, namely a human being created
on earth that hopefully will have a reasonable and healthy
lifespan that must inevitably terminate and the material that
created it will return to the earth from whence it came. “Dust
to dust, ashes to ashes etc.” But that is not real you, that is
the vehicle you use in order to function in this environment.
You are the entity that operates the body, it can only do
what you want it to do within the limitations of what it is ca-
pable of achieving. You can improve it with study and exer-
cise, in order to think and move better, helping you to
achieve personal goals of creativity, profession, sport etc,
but that’s it.
So, what is this entity that creates the person you are and
no one else? That makes us all different from each other
and individually identifiable.
That entity is called your Spirit, it is in you, me and every-
body else, all different, all-in different stages of development
and all created by God. Your Spirit is eternal and on an infi-
nite learning curve of experience and your reaction to those
experiences you encounter. Time and situations are limitless
and when you eventually reach a state of perfection where
God has provided Jesus Christ as your role model you will
eventually become a spiritual part of God. The spirit enters
your body with your first baby howl, this is necessary in or-
28 | Page
der to take in your first lungful of air and become conscious
of being alive. Welcome to the beginning of your learning
curve on Earth a place of permanent chaos, of war and self-
destruction of its beautiful environment. A place where
power, greed, corruption, love of money and what it pro-
vides holds sway.
2. Where have I come from?
You have come from what can only be described in human
terms as a beautiful place where everything is peaceful, sta-
ble and exactly right. Jesus described it as, “In my father’s
house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you”. It is also a seat of
learning totally unlike a school or university; where you are
required but not forced to attend lessons however by not
complying will result in consequences.
You are required to attend these lessons in order to devel-
op, enabling you to make your contribution and progress in
whatever situations that are planned for you. These experi-
ences are there for you to develop and consequently raise
yourself to a higher level of awareness and existence and
negate any sense of superiority.
If you become difficult and unwilling to learn you will have
deemed yourself by your own actions not to be in the right
state of maturity and consequently not yet ready for further
development. Basically, a human equivalent of undergradu-
ates not progressing to their second year at university. As a
consequence, even though you may have, too late, regret-
ted your action you will still find yourself out of this environ-
ment and on your way to Mother Earth. Take comfort in ac-
cepting this is not a form of rejection but a realisation that
you are valued and loved but by your own actions you
demonstrated you were not fully prepared to appreciate and
take advantage of where you were and what was required of
you.
Remember “God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to
perform” (William Cowper,1 774). We are, but a small part of
those wonders and privileged to be moulded in mysterious
ways to be more like his role model Jesus Christ who
spelled it out quite plainly: “I am the way, the truth and the
life (Jn 14:6). He further said, “Whoever lives and believes in
me will never die” (Jn 11:26).
His way is a true, straight and narrow path that is capable of
being followed, provided you recognise and take advantage
of every assistance made available to you that will enable
you to walk it.
3. Where am I?
You are in an environment known to us as Earth that began
beautifully and peacefully with its creation but was reduced
by mankind over time to chaos. Look back in history and
you will discover wars, domination, persecution, continuous
environmental disasters, natural and political destructive life
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
changing events that are still happening to this very day and
will continue.
4. Why am I here?
Because YOU HAVE TO LEARN without a possible shadow
of doubt that: MAN CANNOT RULE HIMSELF. When we
eventually return to our point of origin, we must fully accept
this undeniable fact with a contrite heart and demonstrate it
with new enlightened and positive behaviour. Those that
have benefitted in earthly ways and lived truly exotic lives
with riches, power, exclusive property and goods will have
great difficulty in adjusting as mentioned in Jesus’ state-
ment about a rich man: “It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God” (Mt 19:23-24).
How are we required to live here in this unstable environ-
ment? When Jesus told the Pharisees “The Sabbath was
made for man not man for the sabbath.” You would be for-
given in getting the impression that Jesus felt we needed
updating in divine guidance and sure enough he delivers
this in his sermon on the mount as desorbed in Matthew
Chapter 5, 6 and 7. Jesus’ advice is highly relevant today: I
would suggest rereading this scripture as it is coming di-
rectly from God through Jesus to us. He also taught by par-
ables the kind of behaviour that would be expected of those
who want to move on from this chaos and progress into a
new and more advanced spiritual and intellectual environ-
ment.
5. Where will I go from Here?
The answer to that question will depend on you and your
level of development. Your target is to be more like the role
model that God provided in Jesus Christ. In Jesus we have
the definitive role model for perfection and at the other end
of the scale in say, Putin or Hitler we can see the very worst.
We have had many human role models who tried to emulate
Jesus through the ages, for example: Peter, Paul of Tarsus,
Saint Francis and in our time, we have had Nelson Mandel-
la, Bishop Tutu, Gandhi, Mother Therasa, Martin Luther King
and Pope John Paul II along with many others who have
remained out of the public domain. Now we have Pope
Francis.
Remember true wisdom is not about the accumulation and
dissemination of human knowledge. It is about our under-
standing of God, ourselves and our place in his order. Nev-
er forget we have been given life, so live it with a con-
trite heart and do not waste or regret a moment of it;
because we have had the privilege and opportunity of
having been allowed to exist and develop under his
guidance. Keep our heart, mind and actions in a manner of
goodness, love, forgiveness and generosity and we will stay
on that narrow path to God that Jesus created for us when
he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life . . . Whoever
believes in me will never die.”
The final destination for our spirit when (and it will be a time
not counted in earthly time) we have finally reached a state
of perfection we will become a part of God finally returning
29 | Page
to your original point of creation but now a truly refined, in-
formed, humble and acceptable spirit, all due to a loving
patient and forgiving Heavenly Father. Every journey starts
with a first step, this life of yours and mine may be that first
step. Do it with faith, forgiveness and above all, love. May
God bless us all, each and every one of us.
* Mr. David Brand is a retired electronic engineer; he is an
elder of the Church of England, the heart and soul of the
parish community of All Saints’ Harrow Weald, London.
Revd Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay Elect-
ed as WCC General Secretary
Revd Pillay is the eighth general secre-
tary in the WCC’s history since the
fellowship of churches was founded in
1948. "Our task here is not to play
church. Our task is actually to follow
God's command," said, Revd Pillay, a
member of the Uniting Presbyterian
Church in Southern Africa who is cur-
rently dean of the Faculty of Theology
and Religion at the University of Pretoria. Revd Pillay was
asked about his origins in South Africa and said he was born
and bred as a South African Indian - of Indian descent, "but I
have had no connections whatsoever with India, my great-great
grandfather, probably five generations ago, came to South Afri-
ca.
"Important for me is the idea of justice and unity. I think unity is
the task of the WCC—to continue to work at visible unity, and
Christian unity is so important. And I will say it again, that a
divided church presents a very weak and feeble and fragile
witness to a very fragmented world.” He said that unity is im-
portant, as justice is important. "Some people tend to favour
one over the other. I hold both in equal terms." He said that the
God of justice demands for us "to care for the poor and the
neglected….and to stand with the oppressed in their situations.
Dr. Agnes Abuom, WCC central committee moderator, shared
words of congratulations and blessings in Revd Pillay’s new
ministry. “May the WCC global fellowship warmly welcome you,
pray for you, and show you in every way that we care for you as
you take on important leadership in our ongoing journey toward
Christian unity. You and the ecumenical movement are making
history—and forming a future in which we can live out God’s
love for one another and for all,” she said.
The general secretary-elect of the World Council of Churches
(WCC) believes that growing up during a period of conflict and
suffering in South Africa will stand him in good stead when he
takes up his position as the head of the ecumenical body on
January 1, 2023 as a leader who believes in dialogue. The gen-
eral secretary serves as the WCC’s chief executive officer, and
leads the WCC’s work, including final responsibility for WCC’s
work and its staff.
FOCUS congratulates the newly elected
General Secretary Revd Dr. Prof. Jerry Pillay.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Redefining Ministry to be Agents of Change
Prof. Dr. Kanayathu C. Koshy*
Introduction
Most countries treat Covid-19 as a DISASTER, when it is
with them in the form of a Pandemic. A DISASTER, could
be a disease like Covid-19 or a natural event such as
Flood. By definition, a disaster is a serious disruption
causing immense loss and damage and it is beyond our
capacity to manage. All Disasters pass through a RISK
stage and in fact ‘realized risk is disaster’. In this article,
therefore, an innovative method to deal with Covid-19 is
presented, called Disaster Risk Management for Sustain-
able Development (DRM-SD). In order to understand this
method clearly, three supplementary methodologies are
critical: i) State, Pressure, Response (SPR); ii) World Ca-
fé; and iii) Logical Framework Analysis (LFA); details are
presented in the Appendix to the article. The method-
ologies are generic in nature, and capable of addressing
many systems as far as they fall under their ambit.
The logic of presentation
project level output, target level outcome and wider
community impacts (keep going forward); confirmed by
the Indicators (‘means to end’). Since we are supposed
to select SMART indicators, that are ‘specific, measura-
ble, attainable relevant and timely’, the evaluation is
made that much easier.
DRM-SD for Covid-19 Management
We are now ready to use DRM-SD, where our primary
responsibility is to reduce risk, increase resilience and
promote sustainable development. All the three methods
described above provide very valuable procedural detail
for the DRM-SD project methodology.
Although natural events such as disease (Pandemic)
can’t be prevented, their disaster potential can be sys-
tematically managed to substantially minimize loss and
damage to life and property. In Figure 1 below, DRM-SD

Disasters are becoming more prevalent these days. They

arrive when we least expect them, and all of a sudden
they assume DISASTER proportions. It is true that we fail
to realize RISK on the horizon and prepare for it, rather
than spend money on disasters (Deuteronomy 31:17).
Dealing with disaster is more difficult and expensive. This
is when a transformation (change of habit) from 'disaster
to risk' makes a big difference. The important fact is to
be proactive in managing risks, than be reactive with dis-
asters.
https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/blog/building-evidence-
more-effective-disaster-risk-reduction
https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/sites/default/files/Data/re
ports/ap_disasterriskreduction.pdf

In the case of Covid-19, we need to establish the kind of

RISK we live with, which has to be assessed. This be-
comes the STATE we are going to be in. These risks
create PRESSURES (unless they are negligibly small, in
which case we only need to be careful). We have to dis-
cuss and RESPOND to these pressures. This is why the
SPR methodology is featured here. Because all the
components of SPR need to be discussed well and con-
sensus reached, the best possible approach is the World
Cafe methodology. Briefly, World Café is preferred be-
cause by its special approach, everyone in the meeting
(plenary) will be able to discuss all aspects of the subject
under discussion (e.g. four for SPR), and we are ready for
LFA. The LFA approach is useful to settle on the core
issue and its linkages to component concerns. By ana-
lyzing the cause of the components constituting Covid-
19, we realize that every cause has an effect (keep going
back). Thus, if we act, then we have benefits such as
is shown as a process in which Risk reduction (2P’s on
the left) and Resilience enhancement (2R’s on the right),
when the circle is sliced vertically, are given equal status.
Good Governance is the glue that binds everything to-
gether. These are the pre and post disaster activities
shown as radii of the hemispheres. Thus, we carry out
risk reduction by mitigation (R1) and adaptation (R2 & R3),
‘before the event ’(the ‘red star ’represents the event).
The residual risk is shown as (R4) which gets realized as
(D1). This disaster would be smaller and easier to manage
than in the absence of 2Ps. The post disaster activities,
2Rs, (D2 & D3) and (D4), increase resilience ‘after the
event’. The whole series is cyclic and can be repeated.
Usually disasters are short lived, but it could be like
Covid-19, for the long term (Genesis 6–8).

30 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3

The Five Terms and their Practical Meaning
(i) Prevention: It might sound like an impossible ask –
‘prevent ’disaster? Yes, disasters can be prevented, but
not hazards, (a dangerous condition that can cause loss
of life and property) which are part of our natural envi-
ronment. But this hazard becoming a disaster can be
prevented – this is the prevention we are talking about.
Mitigation is the best preventive approach. It represents
those activities that can lessen the impact of a disaster
(Covid-19) before it strikes, such as isolating the affected
people from the public. This may involve structural
(enough hospital space) and social mitigation (e.g.
changing mindset, training and capacity building, taking
warning seriously etc.).
Focus: on the AGENT (Covid-19 Virus)
What to do: Mitigate – address root cause
Objective: Reduce Risk
(ii) Preparedness: This refers to the activities undertaken
by individuals, groups, families, organizations or coun-
tries – the likely victims – and handle disaster when it
strikes. Such activities may include making a plan, exer-
cising a plan, stockpiling food etc.
Focus: on the LIKELY VICTIMS
What to do: Adapt – enhance resilience
Objective: Reduce Vulnerability (lack of ability to cope
with the risk)
(iii) Response: These are actions that pertain to the initial
activities after the disaster has struck. This includes iden-
tifying victims, isolating them, ensuring hospital space
availability, activating the Emergency Operating Proce-
dures (EOPs), feeding and sheltering victims, finding fi-
nance.
Focus: on the VICTIMS
What to do: Respond to Disaster
Objective: Manage Emergency Efficiently
(iv) Recovery: This refers to the activities involved in
getting a community back to its pre-disaster status and
beyond. This may include the reestablishing of life and
livelihoods, or obtaining funds from private, local, state
and federal sources. These activities, should in fact go
beyond just getting back to its pre-disaster status but
must align to the sustainable development plans for the
area.
Focus: on the PUBLIC
What to do: Covid patients recovered sustainably
Objective: Promote risk reduced living
(v) Governance: In order for the four parts to work effec-
tively, the implementation of Covid-19 activities involving
human and financial resources must be in place. This
important part, - Governance – is often not shown in
31 | Page
DRM cycles, and is also a time for repentance (Luke 13:
1-5).
Focus: on ‘MAKING IT HAPPEN’
What to do: Promote implementation and monitoring
Objective: Create an enabling environment.
All the above actions call us to be more prudent and
sensible, rather than follow a herd mentality (Ephesians
13:6-14; Isaiah 5:20;
https://www.biblecharts.org/sermons/twelvemethodsuse
dbychangeagentstochangethechurch.pdf)
The Covid-19 Pandemic: Some Lessons and Possibili-
ties
A Pandemic experience is something very new to most
of us. It has spread throughout the world and countries
locked-down, closed borders, stopped air, water and
road traffic, closed educational institutions, worship
places and shop houses selling non-essential goods.
People revolted in some countries saying that these
measures helped the government to ‘get under their
skin’, but in others the masses willingly obliged.
Lessons learned
i) Lockdown: Usually this is for completing emergency
tasks such as building temporary hospital accommoda-
tion, to bring new medicines/equipment etc. - all on a
war footing. But in many cases, the lockdown infor-
mation was insufficient. As a lesson learned, declare
lockdown only when government is absolutely sure
about the need to lockdown and then act fast.
ii) Unnecessary Pandemic: Given the fact that people
in virology laboratories knew a lot about the virus, the
delay in knowledge flow was very frustrating. The World
Health Organization (WHO), National Medical Associa-
tions and their Ministries should never have allowed a
local crisis to develop into a terrifying Pandemic. Prompt
response in future will be necessary.
iii) Panic and death: The situation during the Pandemic
was one of overcrowded hospitals and dying health
workers; not to talk about the elderly, weak and those
with multiple comorbidities. The situation was made
worse by the lack of drugs, vaccines and ICU facilities. If
we had adequate knowledge of the disease, the hospital
staff and the public would not have panicked.
iv) All in it together: The government brought some
sense of semblance by introducing masks, social dis-
tancing and personal hygiene, amidst quarantine and
home treatments; but we were All in it together. The situ-
ation in developed or developing countries made little
difference.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
v) Helpless: We also felt that the situation was really
hopeless. As if these were not enough, misinformation
and fake news made their way through social media.
Possibilities
i) Electronic empowerment: Telemedicine and Practice,
Online learning, Work from home, and meetings con-
ducted through Zoom cloud, Google meet, Microsoft
Teams, Skype, GoToMeeting etc. made a big difference
in public life
(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10464964
211015286).
ii) Home deliveries: Grocery, Meals, Electronics, Fash-
ion, Recreational items, Medical services were all availa-
ble through home deliveries
(https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?a
rticle=1576&context=cengin_fac).
iii) Altered faith services: According to a faith group
consisting of Catholic groups, Isha Foundation, Islamic
groups such as Jama-e-Ulema, Ramakrishna Math,
UNICEF, WHO, and Maharashtra Government is of the
view that what people expect from faith groups is: empa-
thy, someone from ‘Corona Warriors ’to help minimize
stigma against anti Covid activists, Doctors, and the dis-
ease itself. They also needed the faith groups to support
government to eradicate the spread of Covid.
(https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/22-05-2020-faith-
based-organizations-across-india-step-up-the-fight-
against-covid19). The Mar Thoma Church, to which I be-
long, showed a lot of flexibility in conducting its services,
funerals, weddings, and palliative care in accordance
with Covid protocols (Luke 13:4–5).
iv) Travel and recreation: Air, water and land-based
travel; and beaches, bars, saloons, organized games,
gyms were all nearly paralyzed but they innovated by
spotlessly cleaning and sterilizing their places, offering
healthy working conditions, popularized ‘no spectators
sports ’etc. A travel report concluded that their naviga-
tional chart was no more applicable and travel became
like sailing into a hurricane. Those who believed that
Covid-19 has an end, succeeded the ordeal and survived
with their own innovative skills.
(https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-
and-infrastructure/our-insights/the-travel-industry-
turned-upside-down-insights-analysis-and-actions-for-
travel-executives).
v) Post-pandemic world: Let’s imagine we are in the
post Covid-19 world of 2050. Any scenario we develop is
computer generated, based mainly on the knowledge
about how the world has been evolving and sprinkle
32 | Page
some wisdom-led imagination of fair-minded persons.
The result is as follows: i) CO2 emission: Despite the
availability of opportunities many governments fail to
make use of them to build back better. CO2 level is a
measure of the economy in the short and long term; ii)
Collectively the future working groups have a better
tomorrow; iii) As Food security looms large, International
cooperation and multilateral alliances will become more
important; iv) With Biden’s allocation of 40% clean ener-
gy investment to disadvantaged communities, many
other countries will follow suite; v) Just and fair distribu-
tion of wealth and work for rural development will be vital
for all countries; vi) Justice for indigenous communities
is indispensable for overall environmental sustainability;
vii) Climate strategies need to center racial and social
justice, and include marginalized communities at the
decision-making table.
(https://www.climateworks.org/blog/2050-today-a-
dialog-for-a-just-post-pandemic-world/).
Conclusion
The term 'ministry', encompasses all activities we en-
gage in our Churches such as Church services, meetings
and travels, 'marketplace evangelism' and writing for
FOCUS - all can be Ministry activities. I'm reminded of a
prayer in the Anglican Church after the Holy Communion
service, which ended as, "...send us out, to be a living
sacrifice, in the power of your spirit to live and work to
your praise and glory". When our life and work become
activities to the praise and glory of God, we be-
come living sacrifices. It takes a lot of Redefining of
what we do to achieve these results, and when this hap-
pens, we sure are Agents of Change. I am certain
the Pandemic lessons and possibilities opened up
a world before us where we can become living sacrific-
es to the praise and glory of God. Amen.
Appendix
SPR, World Café, LFA
1. SPR – State – Pressure – Response: Before we start
any project (be they poverty eradication, improving educa-
tion, or addressing Pandemics such as Covid-19), it’s im-
portant we spend some quality time in evaluating the current
condition we are in (the STATE or Sthithi, situation). This
requires a thorough analysis of everything that could affect
the state one-way or the other. If our analysis tells us that
after all we are not doing everything badly, in fact some
things are being done very well, which we must: i) celebrate
because not everything is like this always. Some things will
need a degree of ii) re-orientation, like what pilots do when
they receive the latest weather update, they carry out a
‘course correction ’lest they face heavy cloud or snow en
route. A third category needs iii) acceleration as in such cas-
es, it is always a ‘lot of talk and little action’. Finally, having
celebrated, re-oriented, and accelerated, one may come
across a small hard patch requiring iv) transformation. This is
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
a difficult area, hardened by years of inaction, but unless we
act, that too right now, the other glory we pride will vanish
and in most cases we will be exposed. We have to avoid this
at all cost. These are the results of assessing the current
STATE.
Having done that, we are in a position to comment on the
PRESSURES (sammardham, issues, problems) the STATE
would generate. We must generate a priority list based on
this, a valuable resource. All we need to do then is to RE-
SPOND to it (prathikarikkuka, react, address or do). Here we
need to consider, how we react, what are the things we
have to do, how will we do it, how much it is going to cost
and in what timeframe these need to happen. Please do not
underestimate the discussion part. Imagine we started the
project without much discussion at all – then it would have
been a failure. This is where the World Café comes in.
2. World Café discussion: This methodology involves an
iteration of discussion until everyone gets a chance to say
their piece. This is achieved by dividing the big group of
people into the exact number of topics to be discussed, say
four in this case. If the big group consists of 40 people, then
it will result in four groups (A, B, C & D). Then the groups will
be distributed to one “Discussion Table” at a time until all
four groups are seated. They follow a bell for their allocated
time for discussion and at the next bell they stand up and
move to the next Table clockwise to discuss the topic on
that table. This process is repeated until everyone has dis-
cussed all four topics. We did not say one important point
and that is: each Table has a Leader to manage the discus-
sion and a Scribe to note down the flow of the process.
While the participants move, they don’t, they stay put. This
arrangement has the added advantage of each group that
come to a table could get briefing of what went on there so
far, giving a hint what more they should spent time on. In
this modern time, the Scribe would even use his laptop and
follow one of the Mind Mapping Apps to follow their discus-
sion on a screen visible to all. At the end, each Leader and
Scribe would give a summary of their Table discussion in the
plenary (when everyone is together), followed by discussion.
The important point is that everyone gets to discuss every-
thing and all stakeholders (those who have a stake in the
project) feel valuable and happy. Now we are ready to dis-
cuss LFA.
3. LFA – Logical Framework Analysis: LFA is a valuable
approach for the logical analysis of project needs. In fact,
most research projects can be viewed as a response to
the pressures of a certain state we are in. The response
is our priority, which produces project-level activities. The
project idea comes from our own subject experience,
together with any regional meeting outcomes as a sup-
port. Before talking about LFA per se, let me tell you a
story about a restaurant owner who was concerned that
his new shop was not making profit. He talked about it to
his friends, families and other experienced people
(Stakeholders!) and finally met an LFA consultant in town.
After detailed discussion, the consultant summarized the
views of everyone into a cause-effect format. This was a
hierarchical order with the highest problem at the top (the
33 | Page
restaurant not making profit), the direct causes of that
problem in the middle – let’s say were: i) Few new cus-
tomers and ii) Few returning customers). Finally, a third
lowest level as the cause of the middle level problems
followed: i) Poor ambience, ii) Little marketing, iii) Unat-
tractive menu and iv) Distasteful service etc. This can be
arranged as a triangular pyramid and in LFA terminology,
it’s called a Problem Tree (PT). Then we must work back
from the lowest level upward (for ease of handling). All
our activities are focused on the lowest level initially. This
way when a certain level is finished we move to the next
highest level and finally the apex. By then we would have
pretty much solved all the problems and if we had to
draw a similar triangle, like the PT, we would write ‘Res-
taurant making profit ’at the top, ‘Attractive presentation
and service ’etc. below and call it the Objective Tree
(OT). Once the PT is arranged, all the project level activi-
ties must be aimed at producing the OT. Then the owner
would be making profit and living a happy life.
This story has all the essentials of LFA in it, like the Situa-
tion analysis (the long discussion), planning phase (PT,
OT), Implementation (Lower level: activities -> project
level work => output; Middle level: action -> Targets
reached => outcome; Highest level: engagement ->
Goals reached => Impacts).
Logframe and Vertical-Horizontal Logic: Logframe is a
one-page sheet with four columns and four rows in which
we’ll find information such as critical assumptions (any
strand that couldn’t be carried out yet), and indicator de-
tails. This table is called logframe or logical framework.
The ‘If-then ’logic is about project level activities and the
resulting outputs are at the lowest level; the next ‘If-then’
level gives information about the outcomes obtained for
the target groups, and the final pinnacle gives the ‘If-
then’ logic for impacts relating to the goal and the wider
community. Similarly, there is a horizontal logic of,
‘means to an end’; this is for the indicators – just like a
car dash board indicates the present situation with fuel,
oil, hand break, seat belt, door etc. The indicators, once
selected carefully, indicate levels of achievement, at a
glance.
*The author an Emeritus Profes-
sor of Sustainability at the Envi-
ronmental Resources Research
Centre, Trivandrum, India, after
his full retirement in 2016. He
has over forty years of interna-
tional teaching and research
experience in universities of –
India (Kerala), Jamaica (W.I),
USA (SUNY, Buffalo), Fiji (USP),
Malaysia (USM), and was closely
associated with the UN and
other regional organizations in
South Pacific & South East
Asian countries.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
 JMJ
Long Covid - A Portal To Reconciliation and Unity
Fr. Thomas Punnapadam, SDB
The unprecedented Covid pandemic continues to baffle
the scientific community, with its unpredictable mutations
and untraceable spread. While people are continuing to
lose their dear ones and often unable to give them a re-
spectable burial, the medical fraternity continues to be
overwhelmed and unable cope with the emergency.
Thankfully the proportionate death rate is not very high
though the actual numbers are mindboggling indeed.
As people continue to be healed, everyone seems more
focussed on the recovery and the after effects of being
affected by Covid. The complete recovery is incredibly
slow for some. Already for some time now the medical
experts have been referring ‘long Covid’, namely the long
term, even life long, after effects of a Covid attack. Long
Covid is a reality which humanity will learn to live with
gradually. However, each one is subject to it from one’s
own experience or from that of dear ones. Being a human
reality Long Covid has many dimensions. A personal ex-
perience can lead to what possibly are spiritual insights of
Long Covid as related particularly with the theme of our
reflection, reconciliation and Unity of humankind.
To start with Reconciliation and Unity are inseparable re-
alities. They have many common characteristics. When
reconciliation is experienced, unity naturally follows.
Greater unity is inconceivable without reconciliation in
some form or another. They are almost synonyms.
To some extent, reconciliation is often narrowly under-
stood as a back ward-looking, regret inducing reality
leading to mending broken relationships. It cannot be de-
nied that genuine reconciliation implies also a deepening
of and mutual understanding. As Christians we know
reconciliation is the fundamental lifelong response to the
offer of the fullness of Salvation; it is filled with hope. Je-
sus invited us to repent not because we have sinned but
because the Kingdom is near (Mk 1:15). Hence reconcilia-
tion needs to be understood primarily as a lifelong project
rather than an occasional act of regret about misdeeds or
weaknesses.
Long Covid is a reality of life. As Zen wisdom reminds us,
the secret of a happy life is flipping. Physically flipping is
very simple action and yet it can reveal to us realities to-
tally unexpected and hidden. Flipping a coin is fun. Flip-
ping one’s perspectives on life situations is indeed the
ultimate secret of a happy, contented life. So, whether
long Covid, like the epidemic itself, is an opportunity or
threat depends entirely on one’s perspectives. Gradually
recovering (as I am) from being subjected to rather severe
34 | Page
Covid symptoms, this is indeed a moment of grace to be
enlightened that the illness as well as the after effects is
more an opportunity to be reconciled and united with one
another.
The spread of Corona is indeed baffling the medical fra-
ternity. No one, not even the most economically prosper-
ous nations, with the best health care systems in place,
were protected from the attack of the epidemic. Like
death, the pandemic is a great leveller. This awakens us
to the fact that our lives, our bodies in particular, are more
similar to one another than different. Skin colour, physi-
cal stature, intellectual acumen, socio-economic status
are superficial, transient, negligible realities. Deep down
we are one. We need to set aside differences as irrational
prejudices are separating us and causing us more harm
than good. All of us need to focus more on what makes
us one than on what separates us.
The search for, production of and distribution of vaccines
is another area where reflective people are discovering
the need to be focussed on reconciliation and unity. It
was not long ago that there was an international call for
the waiver of all patent rights on the production of vac-
cines. A clear reminder to humanity that economic con-
siderations should not have the pride of place in life’s pri-
orities.
While lockdowns and social distancing regulations have
taken a heavy toll on the lives of many people, it cannot
be denied that flipping will enlighten us to deeper one-
ness in essential needs for contented human life. As
many have acknowledged, they have realised that they
can be happy with being wise enough to distinguish es-
sential needs and superficial wants. The Pandemic has
definitely taught us to appreciate the little things of life.
Even on the emotional level, family bonds have been
deepened as a result of the lockdowns. As one gentle-
man confided to me, his marriage was near breakdown.
Providentially the breakdown compelled the couple to
spend more time together, sort out their differences and
rediscover the bright side of their married lives.
The superhuman sacrifices made by the so-called front-
line corona warriors, like doctors, nurses and members of
other public services, can ever be sufficiently acknowl-
edged and recompensed. However there are numerous
silent unsung heroes of the pandemic who have trans-
cended all socio economic, religious and cultural barriers
to provide essential services to the sick and their dear
ones. We have all come to know about thousands of
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
people who have provided free meals, open shelters and
various forms of financial assistance to those who needed
it as a result of the onslaught of the pandemic. The over-
whelming situation impelled people to forget their superfi-
cial differences and past prejudices, to come forward in
selfless compassion to be united in the fight against the
corona onslaught.
As the Director General of WHO has not tired of repeat-
ing, No one is safe,
unless everyone is safe. This is probably the best sum-
mary of the universal,
eternal truth that we humans are one and need to learn to
set aside differences
and focus on what makes us one rather than what makes
us different.
Mystics tell us that God experience is often by hindsight.
As the popular saying goes, Life is understood back-
wards, but must be lived forwards. While one is suffering
physical pain and weakness, mental stress and anxiety, in
a hospital Covid ICU, the thought of God may not be pre-
dominant. During the Covid wave we have probably
heard of not a few people asking us pastors and religious
leaders “Where is God?”. However, after experiencing all
the love and care and attention one has received during
the pandemic or being inspired by the most heroic acts of
selfless service, one is convinced that deep in in the heart
of every human being, there is far greater harmony and
concord than most people are aware of. Divine compas-
sion is reflected in human acts of kindness. A deep sense
of unity that has its source in the all-powerful all loving
creator of us all is very much still vibrant. As St. Paul re-
minds us: “I... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling
to which you have been called. . .. There is one body and
one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that
belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of us all, who is above all and
through all and in all” (Eph 1:1-5). The prayer of Jesus for
us at the Last Supper was precisely for unity. He prayed
“that they may all be one; even as thou father, art in me,
and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the
world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn 17:21).
When the mind is weak, every situation is a problem.
When the mind is balanced, every situation is a challenge.
When the mind is strong, every situation becomes an op-
portunity. When enlightened by God’s spirit, every situa-
tion is gratuitous grace.
*Fr. Thomas Punnapadom, SDB belongs to Salesians of
Don Bosco of the Sacred Heart Province of Bangalore.
The Salesians live in imitation of the compassionate love
of the Sacred Heart, commit themselves to the integral
and inclusive development of the youth, especially the
poor and the marginalized, and the other disadvantaged
sections of society, in collaboration with all those who
strive for the realization of a new society based on the
Values of the Kingdom of God.
35 | Page
Pearls of Wisdom Series No. 16*
How strong a bond the love of God creates!
Who can express its Power?
Anyone truly possessed by the love of Christ is
bound to keep his commandments. How strong a
bond the love of God creates! Who can express its
power, or find words for the radiance of its beauty?
Beyond all description are the heights to which it
raises us. Love unites us to God; it cancels innu-
merable sins, it has no limit to its endurance, it bears
everything patiently. Love is neither servile nor arro-
gant. It does not provoke schisms. Or form factions,
but always acts in harmony with others. By it all
God’s chosen ones have been sanctifies; without it,
it is impossible to please him. Out od love the Lord
took us to himself; because he loved us and it was
God’s will, our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life’s
blood for us – he gave his flesh for our flesh, his life
for our lives.
See then, beloved, what a great and wonderful thing
love is, and how inexpressible its perfection. Who
are worthy to possess it unless God makes them
so? To him, therefore, we must turn, beginning of
his mercy that there may be found in us a love free
from human partiality and beyond reproach. Every
generation has passed away from Adam’s time until
our own, but those, who, God’s grace, were made
perfect in love have a dwelling now among the
saints, and when at last the kingdom of Christ ap-
pears, they will be revealed. Take shelter in your
rooms for a little while, says Scriptures, until my
wrath subsides. Then I will raise you from your
graves.
Beloved, it is by keeping God’s Commandments,
and living together in harmony that we shall find
happiness, for the love we show to one another will
win us the forgiveness of our sins. As scripture says:
Happy are those whose transgressions are par-
doned, whose sins are forgiven. Happy the man to
whom the Lord imputes no fault, on whose lips there
is no guile. This is the blessings given to those
whom God has chosen through Jesus Christ our
Lord. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
*This is based on a reading from the letter of Pope St.
Clement I to the Corinthians. It is taken from a collection
edited by Henry Ashworth O.S.B, ‘A Word in Season’, The
Talbot Press, Dublin, 1974, page 167-168. Collected by
Dr. Zac Varghese, London.
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
Lesson and Possibilities of Living with the Pandemic
Dr. Zac Varghese, London
Most of the problems that mankind faced since the World
War II were localized to certain areas of the world. How-
ever, the ecological crisis and the COVID-19 are affecting
the whole world and we have come to the realization that
‘we are all in it together’. However, this feeling of unity
did not last for long, we started seeing problems and dis-
unity with vaccine distributions to poor regions of the
world. From 24th February, 2022, we saw the Russian in-
vasion of Ukraine and the possibilities of a nuclear war,
biological and chemical warfare. Maybe we are sleep
walking to a Third World War. The total destruction of the
world is a real possibility. We only need one madman to
push a button to make it happen.
‘We are all in it together’ emotion is also expressed in the
moto of NATO alliances and in its 5th article: “attack on
one member of NATO is an attack on all members.” The
NATO and the European Union, have been trying to en-
circle Russian boarders with such pacts and such long-
term intentions to include Ukraine, Georgia, Finland and
Sweden. This might have irritated Putin to undertake the
present foolish expedition to Ukraine. Putin saw it as an
existential threat and he finally reacted. Radiation, like
virus has no discriminatory power; it destroys everything
on its path. Man-made ecological crisis is also a deadly
weapon. The world is constantly moving from one crisis
to another. Most of the measures we have undertaken are
makeshift temporary adjustments. The economic conse-
36 | Page
quences of these measures are difficult to comprehend.
Even economic sanctions against the Russian oligarchs
and other such measures against Russian economy will
have an effect on the cost-of-living scenario in other parts
of the world.
It is an opportune time to pause and think what it means
to be in a ‘we are all in it together’ attitude. Human needs
are beyond human help; we certainly need God’s help in
sorting this out. We need absolute humility to retrace our
paths and do a self-analysis to identify our own parts in
this gigantic global tragedy. It is almost like ‘Noha’s flood’
moment without an Arc; our modern ‘Towers of Babel’
are crumbling and falling down one by one too. Scholarly
analysis for working out a pathway for blaming various
agencies may be of no help; it is too late for a blame
game. There will be no winners and all of us will be losers.
A good example of ‘we are all in it together’ can be seen
in the story of Ruth and Naomi in the Old Testament. Ruth
Says to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn
back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you
stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your
God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Therefore, it is good to think about the lessons learnt, so
far, for living with this pandemic and the possibilities open
to the world for more cooperation, sharing resources, re-
ducing the wastage of resources, ecologically friendly
developments, stability and peace. We request the read-
ers of the FOCUS to think about these and other aspects
prayerfully and give a Christian perspective for living with
the pandemic and facing other storms of life such as the
war in Ukraine and its fall out.
Some Christian theologians such as John Piperi, Brueg-
gemannii and Tom Wrightiii have written books about the
pandemic. Some saw it as God’s judgement and also in
apocalyptic terms. I wonder whether these theologians
and other such writers are having a ‘Rashomon effect’; it
is a term used to describe an event in different ways due
to different perceptions and uncertainty. Their varied per-
ceptions may be the result of their situational, social and
cultural differences. The most important Christian re-
sponse to this crisis is just quoting biblical verses, but
actions centred on the love of God. Jesus modelled it for
us by the love that he expressed on the cross for the
whole mankind.
What should we be doing now?
When Agabaus prophesied to the early Christians in Anti-
och that a severe famine would spread over the whole
Roman world, they did not have lengthy intercessory
prayers and theological discussions, but they sent Barna-
bas and Paul to Jerusalem with their monetary gifts; it
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
was not words, but it was faith in action (Acts 11:27-30).
During the height of the pandemic, Santhigiri Ashram in Al-
waye was turned into a centre for caring for COVID-19-
affected patients from the surrounding villages and towns.
The saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a
single step” is attributed to the Chinese thinker and philoso-
pher, Lao Tzu, of Taoism. Individually and collectively, we
can take single steps to solve some of these problems. For
example, social distancing, mask wearing and accepting
vaccination is not against curtailing our individual freedoms,
but surrendering those freedoms for the common good of
others around us. Antivaxxers may justify their position on
the basis of a conscientious objection, on the basis of hu-
man rights and personal freedom; but do they have the free-
dom to become a medium for infecting others?
The Bible tells us how God used people of other faiths and
cultural orientations to rescue people from difficult situa-
tions. God used Cyrus, the Persian king, to liberate the ex-
iled-Israelites from Babylon and to rebuild the Temple in Je-
rusalem (Isa 45:1; Ezra 1:2-11; 6:3-5). God used Saul, the
Zealot, who prosecuted Christians to become an apostle to
the Gentiles. God has not abandoned us, many non-
Christians today are responding to the challenges to help
people in these very difficult times, we see this in hospitals,
nursing homes, supermarkets, filling stations, railway sta-
tions and all such places providing what is needed to save
lives. We see this in Ukraine; its surrounding countries are
providing much-required shelter for women, children and old
people escaping from the inhuman activities of the Russian
soldiers and their commanders. These are lessons for us
who claim to be Christians; God is teaching us to respond to
these situations and express God’s loving kindness. God
has not abandoned us. It is very comforting to know that
God is grieving with us and nothing can separate us from the
love of God (Rom 8:38-39). The suffering of God is a mystery
beyond our comprehension. Some Christians think that God
is unaffected by the troubles and tribulation of this world;
this theory is known as the ‘impassability of God’. But we
see Jesus weeping at the tomb of Lazarus (Jn 1: 35) and
over Jerusalem (Lk 19:41).
We may have to travel through the dark tunnel that Paul de-
scribes in Romans 8:18-30. These verses speak of the Holy
Spirit interceding for us in our times of troubles and in our
weakness. It is so comforting to read about the troubled
times that Paul wrote to the Romans: “And we know in all
things God works for the good of all those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
Loving God is connected to loving our neighbour because it
is written that “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his
brother, he is a liar, for anyone who does not love his broth-
er, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not
seen” (1Jn 4:20). Our God is a God who sent his one only
Son to heal this fractured world (Jn 3:16). Our God is Im-
manuel and He is with us at all times. God indeed suffers
with us as and we are free to bring our laments to Him as the
Psalmist did (Ps 22; 42 and 88). A grief offered to God is a
grief transformed. Coping with disappointment in is one of
the greatest challenges for a Chistian. Job (Old Testament)
37 | Page
survived by pouring out his pain before the Lord in his la-
ment.
A parable for our troubled times
The parable of the wedding feast in Matthew’s Gospel (Mt
22:1-4) may be relevant to our responsibility as Christians to
address the problems facing the world at this critical junc-
ture. Let us think about the people who had the God-given
privilege and honour to attend the wedding feast in this par-
able. Since the guests who were invited refused for manifold
reasons and excuses, the invitation went out instead to all
and sundry. People who would never have imagined being
invited to such an event heard the call, the labourers, the
down and outs, and just ordinary folks. Nobody who came
would be able to boast of anything they had done to get
there. They could claim no privileges or ranks. None of them
had a special status or merits. In this sense, the parable is
our story in these troubled times. We are now the recipients
of God's gracious hospitality and generosity. We are Chris-
tians because of God’s generosity, not because of any good
that we may have done. We have no right to claim, but we
feel privileged to find ourselves in the banquet hall. We are
from the highways and byways no longer; we are honoured
guests. Just like the guests invited to the banquet in the sto-
ry, each one of us is invited as a special guest by God to his
celebration. It is a truly remarkable thing that God should
treat us at all in this way. In the midst of a troubled and tur-
bulent world, where the frailty of life is ever before us, the
simple message of this parable should come to us as a great
reassurance. In spite of the seemingly unimportant value-
less ways in which the power-crazy leaders of the world treat
us, our lives are significant and valuable to God. Life might
so often may seem cheap and unimportant to autocrats and
war-mongers and yet we are individually watched over and
cared for by God. The realisation that God is involved with
each one of us should change the way that we think about
issues confronting us; life is no longer a series of abstract
choices, we are not adrift, subject to the vagaries of life.
There is a God-given purpose for us and our responsibility is
to seek that purpose and live accordingly.
God’s love and grace-filled message should help us to have
much peace and a sense of purpose for the future which
gives real meaning to our lives. Sadly, for many people this is
simply not the case. Despite being offered such a magnifi-
cent invitation they choose to ignore the blessings of God
and miss out on the generosity of God. The message of the
story is clear, if we choose not to go the banquet, then
somebody else will take our place. We see humanitarian,
charitable responses from people all around the world to the
pandemic and the emerging refugee crisis following the war
in Ukraine, irrespective of their religious affiliations. There-
fore, we should not be slow to respond, but willingly answer
God’s call on our lives to various situations as they unfold.
An 86 year old English friend of mine, Mr. David Brand, re-
cently reminded me of five important existential questions:
What am I? Where have I come from? Where am I? Why am I
here? Where will I go from here? Each of us need to find
answers to these questions under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, which may help us live with the pandemic and face
other problems in life to create a ‘community called atone-
FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3
ment’ where will be able to live in relationship with God, with Theme – FOCUS – October 2022, Vol. 10 (4)
self, with others, and with the world.
‘We are all in it together’
At the beginning of this pandemic Geevarghese Mar Theo-
dosius Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church
wrote a book under the title, “Church and the New Normal” iv

In this book, Thirumeni reflected deeply on how Christians

should address the challenges of the pandemic. He has re-
minded us the responsibility of the members of the Church
standing in solidarity with all those who are affected by this
vrial infection and its after effects. It is a very helpful book to
reflect on this theme. In October 2020 and in January 2021,
the FOCUS Journal (Vol. 8-4; Vol. 9-1) addressed the subject
of ‘the new normal’ in its editorial and other articles relating
to the ‘Post- COVID Landscape of Faith’; these are rich re-
sources for studying the theme discussed once again in this
issue of the journal.
In conclusion, the phrase 'no man is an island' is attributed
to the English metaphysical poet, John Donne, who ex-
presses the idea that human beings do badly when isolated
from others and need to be part of a community in order to
thrive. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine also highlighted
the truth that we are all in it together; this is an existential
reality. Therefore, our Christian task at the present moment
is not to just talk about these issues, but to get actively en-
gaged in helping others in need under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit. God is calling us to study the realities from a
spiritual perspective and accept the demanding, self-giving,
implications that may come into our consciousness. What is COVID-19 pandemic reminds us "we are all in it togeth-
crucial is the authenticity of our discipleship to Jesus Christ er". It was also the purpose of the incarnation and the
who came to express God’s love for the whole world. Let us everlasting message we had from Jesus Christ. His life
earnestly pray that we shall not be found wanting at a time and mission were for creating a community of 'atone-
as critical and dangerous as this for the whole world. When ment' for establishing God's kingdom values on earth
the disciples were in a boat in the sea of Galilee and buffeted together with God, self, others and the whole inhabited
by the wind, Jesus approached them by walking on the sur-
earth, oikoumene (Jn 3:16; 10:14-16; 15:9-17). The
face of the water, an act thought to be impossible, and com-
atonement is the good news of Christianity; it is our gos-
forted them by saying: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”
(Mt 14:27). Our God is dependable for all circumstances of
pel and it explains how gospel works. The Church is sup-
life. May God give us the hope and faith to pray with the posed to be 'a community called atonement’ - a body of
Psalmist: “Lord, ‘we went through fire and water, but you Christ, but we are divided from top to bottom and across
brought us to a place of abundance” (Ps 66:12). A Christ- the world. We are expected to be an inclusive community
centred vision is essential to overcome difficulties in life and of believers to do the mission of Jesus Christ and some-
engage with possibilities, not despair, for establishing God’s how, we have become an exclusive community – even
kingdom values on earth under the guidance of the Holy excluding our own brothers and sisters in Christ based on
Spirit. All we say and do testify who are and our relationship colour, race, religion, faith and gender. Therefore, it is
with each other in such times. Frances J. Robert’s poem is important to repent, reconcile and transform to become
apt to end this reflection: agents of God’s mission (Missio Dei). This is to build a
community in which ‘God’s will be done’ and through
“Move on steadily, and know that the waters that carry you
which one finds both union with God and communion
are the waters of My love and My kindness, and I will keep
with everyone. It is clear that something is seriously
you on the right course.”
wrong the way we conduct ourselves. What is that we
________________________ lack? We often lack the fundamental awareness that we
i
John Piper, Coronavirus and Christ, Crossway, Wheaton, Illi- are the children of God with the privilege and honour to
nois, ISBN- 978-1 4335-73590-0, 2020 address God as ‘our Father’. This awareness should ig-
ii
Walter Brueggeman, Virus as a Summon to faith, Cascade nite love and compassion to alleviate suffering of others
Books, Oregon, ISBN- 978-1-7252-7634-4, 2020. and to promote well-being of everyone. We also need to
iii
N. T. Wright, God and the Pandemic, SPCK, London, ISBN- pray for our brothers and sisters in other parts of the
978-0-281-08511-8,2020. world who are persecuted simply for working to establish
iv God’s kingdom values such as: justice, love for others,
Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Suffragan Metropolitan,
fellowship, spirituality and truth.
‘Church and the New Normal’, CSS, Tiruvalla, 2020,
The Editorial Board

38 | Page FOCUS, July 2022, Vol. 10, Part 3