1 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol.

11, Issue 4
2 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4
FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Cover Design by Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas

Contents
1. Editorial Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph Page 4

2. Be a Living Sacrifice Revd Dr. Mani Chacko Page 6

3. Being a Living Sacrifice Dr. George Varghese Page 7

4. Be a Living Sacrifice Mrs. Seba Elsa Alex Page 8

5. Mar Thoma Sabha Secretariat Editorial Board Page 9

6. To Be Living Sacrifices: The Continuing… Revd Vinod Victor Page 10

7. Faith and Submission–A Living Sacrifice Mrs. Anu Abraham Page 12

8. Reflections on Late E. J. George Achen Mrs. Dr. Justeena Jess George Page 13

9. Reflections on ‘A Living Sacrifice’ Dr. Zac Varghese Page 14

10. Living Sacrifice Dr. Jacob C. Tony Page 16

11. To Be a Living Sacrifice Mrs. Bibina Joemon Varughese Page 17

12. January 2024 FOCUS Theme... Editorial Board Page 18

13. Fools Never Die Mr. Chhotebhai Page 19

14. Be Transformed, Be Renewed Mrs. Sheline John Mathew Page 21

15. Book Review-Paul’s Passion for the… Dr. Zac Varghese Page 23

16. Back to the Future Mr. Shaun Joykutty Page 24

17. Be a Living Sacrifice: The Call Dr. Cherian Samuel Page 25

18. A Tribute to Late Revd E. J. George… Revd Dr. K. V. Simon Page 28

19. Living in Harmony Fr. Thomas Punnapadam, SDB Page 29

20. Diaspora Thanksgiving Sunday Editorial Board Page 31

21. Bishops Designates of Mar Thoma Church Editorial Board Page 32

22. My story, Part-4 Dr. Titus Mathews Page 33

23. Late Revd E. J. George, A Remarkable… Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph Page 35

24. A Faith Journey through Holy Land, Part-1 Lal Varghese, Esq. Page 36

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EDITORIAL
"Be a living sacrifice " is the theme chosen for the October thieves, and wolves. They represent the death-dealing forc-
(2023) issue of the FOCUS. I am indeed happy to draw the es at work. There is a sense of inner emptiness in the tech-
attention of the readers to the articles in the current issue. nological society, as "might is right" is accepted as the
The theme is a call to live the gospel in individual and cor- norm of action. The measure of greatness is being gauged
porate life for the glory of God. The following words of wis- in terms of what one has instead of what one is. The noble
dom, "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to ideals of sacrifice and contentment have given way to a kind
live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection," of rat race all around. Contentment comes not out of the
comes to us with a sense of self-evaluation. The key word statement of accounts, but it is the state of the heart. Our
that is found in the theme, "Sacrifice," has several shades calling is to imitate our Lord through a life of kenosis (self-
of meaning. We would like to mention the obvious meaning abasement). It is through kenosis that we share the plerosis
of the word given in the Oxford Dictionary, as "An act of (fullness) of Christ. As the good shepherd, our Lord wants
giving up something you value for the sake of something us to show the depth of a caring attitude with visibility. We
that is more important." The inner constraint of the soul is to are called to live for Christ rather than to die for Christ! To
do small things with great love for a better result. St. Paul's live and to die for Christ is the legacy the Christian martyrs
letter to Romans Chapter 12 is indeed a divine call to walk bequeathed to us. The pastoral challenge is to be taken
the talk as the Christian response to God's act of grace in seriously as "Christ was crucified outside the gate". Seeking
the revelation of divine righteousness outlined in chapters 1- Christ "outside the gate" is indeed the challenge of the
8. In Chapter 12, verse 1, Paul wants us to live with grace as Christian mission. Such a life creates ripples of love in the
our ethical response. In fact, theology is integral to ethics. world. One should remember that God is on the side of all
What we are is a clear manifestation of what we do in our that unites, integrates, and heals. As God's agents of libera-
earthly pilgrimage. The prophetic call of John the Baptist in tion and reconciliation, we need to join the song sung by the
Lk 3:8 is worth recalling: "Bear fruits that befit repentance." children of Nagasaki when they rebuilt the school destroyed
Romans Ch.12:1 starts with the Greek proposition, "There- by the Atom Bomb explosion in 1945, "Let us build the
fore"(Oun); this is significant as it carries a wealth of mean- Northern side with love to block the wind of fate; Let us
ing for our spiritual and ethical formation. Let me quote build the southern side with patience to destroy hatred; Let
Rom12:1-2 for our reflection on the theme: "So then, my us build the eastern side with the daily rising of the ray of
brothers, because of God's great mercy to us, I make this faith; Let us build the western side with the beautiful and
appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, enchanting hope; Let its roof be eternity and its floor be
dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true humility." We should remember that God does not die the
worship that you should offer. Do not conform outwardly to day when we cease to forgive others, but we become dust
the standards of this world, but let God transform you in- on the day when we cease to be illumined by the radiance
wardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be of divine forgiveness.
able to know the will of God – what is good, and is pleasing
to him, and is perfect"(The Good News Bible). 2) Offering life as a sacrifice to God
This is a call to live in conformity with God's will. In the
There are a few imperatives in Christian mission. Lord's prayer, the challenge is made more explicit. The
1) Living with the renewal of mind three temptations of Jesus help us to stand with Jesus in
The message is a divine call for not to match our life with times of testing. (Lk 4:1-13; Mt 4:1-11). Mission in Christ's
the fashions of this world – it is written: "the world and it way is the need of the hour. The testimony of the Church
desires pass away”1Jn 2:17). The Greek word in Rom12:1 Father, Ignatius, speaks volumes to us when he prayed: "I
for renewal is "anakaineo", which means having newness in am the wheat of God, and by the teeth of beasts I shall be
character and relationships. For a renewal of life, one needs grounded that I may be found to be pure bread of God." All
to get trained in godliness (1Tim 4:4-8). The man who be- of us are not called to die as martyrs, but called to imbibe
longs to God is efficient and equipped for every work (2Tim the spirit of sacrifice in our march towards the goal. The
3:17). By His life and witness, the heavenly Father is glori- power of love works in different situations among different
fied as he/she bears fruits so as to prove to be his disciple. people. To the fortunate – a word of compliments; to the
(Jn15:1-8). St. Paul asks us "to strip off the old self with its unfortunate – spirit of understanding; to the weak – help and
practices (Col 3:9-11). In such a status there is always an support; to the wicked boldness to resist so as to bring
attempt to transcend the boundaries of racial, gender and about repentance; to the penitent – stretching out the hand
cultural barriers. He or she participates with God as His co- of mercy and forgiveness; to the strong – imparting the spirit
worker and as an agent of Christ in the healing of human of trust for greater involvement. A life pleasing to God seeks
brokenness. By producing the harvest of righteousness as a "to do good to one another and to all" (1Thes 5:15).
caring attitude, one may notice the enlargement of love and
its enrichment, and professional commitments as a living Let me illustrate all the above spiritual truths referring to
sacrifice (cf. Phil1:2-11). two imageries:
1) Imagery of a pumpkin: There was an advertisement for
One may notice the power of destructive capabilities every- the sale of pumpkin seeds. It reads like this: “If you require a
where in society. There are many in the Church and society pumpkin of any size-long, round and ball like – buy the
who sing praises to the unbridled strength of robbers, seeds from our shop and follow the instructions.” The peo-
ple flocked to the shop. The advice given to the buyers was

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this: "When the bud of the pumpkin appears in the creeper, the noble king Shibi in Mahabharata, quoted by Mr.
insert the bud into the mould of your choice and take care Chhotebhai, is a very moving one. The Christian life can be
of the plant. After a few months, you will get the size you difficult and unimaginable, especially for those experiencing
desired!" persecution and harassment for their faith, as we hear of the
tragedies in Manipur (India), Pakistan and such places. The-
2) A butterfly: Watch the movement of a butterfly in a pond. se tragedies tempt us to give up, and then we hear mes-
It keeps its wings over water, but touches only the surface sage from St. Paul, “be a living sacrifice. The writer of He-
of it. It does not allow itself to be drowned. There are several brews exhorts us to live with the comforting words in
texts in the NT which speak of our vigilance and prudence in Heb13:15:"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to
our earthly pilgrimage. In 1 Pet 5:8-9 we read: "Discipline God" in our response to Christ who gave himself as "a fra-
yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion, your adversary, grant sacrifice to God"(Eph 5:2) in human situations.
the devil, prowls around, looking for someone to devour.
Resist him" (cf. Jn 4:6). We also need to change our behavior in a sacrificial
way today to avoid the catastrophic consequences of cli-
Living in conformity with God's will is a spiritual challenge mate change for the benefit of a common future. Environ-
for us to take courage and produce the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in mental and ecological problems are no more debating is-
our social engagement. Dare to be like Daniel is the call of sues today. We see it causing wild fire-associated vast de-
the Spirit. If one lives in conformity with the world, the seven structions in Hawaii, Canada, Greek and Spanish islands,
deadly sins of the world rule over him/her. They are pride, and Portugal. A sacrificial living is important in facing vari-
anger, envy, impurity, gluttony, slothfulness, and avarice. ous ecological and social issues confronting humanity. We
We need to pray in tune with the message of the 9th As- are not left alone in facing difficulties of life; Chiara Lubich of
sembly of the WCC (2006) for a fulfilment of our social vi- the Focolare family wrote: “As Saint Paul clearly teaches
sion: "God of Grace, open our hearts to love and to see that elsewhere, we should be diligent in our work, face problems
all people are made in your image to care for creation and and do all we can to resolve them. However, we always
affirm life in all its wondrous diversity. Transform us in the have to remind ourselves, especially when we are going
offering of ourselves so that we may be your partner in through difficult moments, that we have, right next to us, a
transformation." Yes, the divine call for a transformative dis- Father who knows paths that are unknown to us and can
cipleship is the ethical norm for the community of the faith- achieve much more than we could ever imagine.”
ful. There is no short cut to the transformation of the world.
As Thomas A Kempis puts it, "we are transformed by love I am happy to share very good news of the election of three
and transformed in proposition to the purity of our love for Bishops in the Mar Thoma church. Let us thank God for the
God and for other people." The liberative praxis of God's Life and ministry of Revd Saju C. Pappachen, Revd Dr. Jo-
act of grace has three component elements. They are: (i) seph Daniel, and Revd Mathew K. Chandy, and congratu-
Communion with God (ii) Compassion for people, and (iii) late them for their election as the Bishops of the Mar Thoma
Passion for justice. When we speak about our life as a living Church. May God continue to enlighten them to follow the
sacrifice, the missionary obligation of the above three must servant ministry of Jesus Christ to spread the good news of
be seriously considered. As we are called to enlarge our the kingdom of God. May God strengthen them for the mis-
territory, we need to walk the talk as the disciples of Christ. sion of God. We request the readers of the FOCUS to pray
Remember, "A bell is no bell till you ring it." A song is no for their ministry and the Holy Spirit to empower them. This
song till you sing it". " Love is no love till you give it away." issue has the obituary reflections of late Revd E. J.
As a follower of Christ, we need to bring the silenced-voices George, whose life was an absolute example of 'being a
from the periphery to the center. "The Church, as an instru- living sacrifice.’ We thank God for his life and ministry.
ment of prophetic witness to the Truth and Light, and Chris-
tians as his loyal people, are called to live in obedience to Let me conclude with the heartrending words of St. James:
the will of God. "My brothers (and sisters) what use it is for a man to say he
has faith when he does nothing to show it? Can that faith
We like to thank all the authors of this issue. These articles save him?” (Jm. 2:14).
can be thought of as heart rendering prayers for asking God
to strengthen our faith when we hear the cries of those fac- Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph,
ing persecution for their faith. All of them remind us of the For the Editorial Board
immortal words of Jesus in the Sermon the Mount "Blessed
are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Yes, there is Disclaimer: Diaspora FOCUS is a non-profit organization regis-
always an inner call in Christian faith to turn to God in times tered in United States, originally formed in late Nineties in Lon-
of joy and sorrow. The writers remind us of this great truth don for the Diaspora Marthomites. Now it is an independent lay-
of Christian ethics. We specially want to thank for the con- movement of the Diaspora laity of the Syrian Christians; and as
tributions of all our new authors: Revd Dr. Mani Chacko, such FOCUS is not an official publication of any denominations.
Revd Vinod Victor, Dr. Jacob C. Tony, Mrs. Seba Elsa Alex, It is an ecumenical journal to focus attention more sharply on
issues to help churches and other faith communities to examine
Mrs. Bibina Joemon Varughese, Mrs. Anu Abraham, and
their own commitment to loving their neighbors and God, jus-
Mrs. Sheline John Mathew. Mrs. Varghese’s testimony, un-
tice, and peace. Opinions expressed in any article or statements
derstanding, and her practice of becoming a living sacrifice
are of the individuals and are not to be deemed as an endorse-
is very touching. Mr. Chhotebhai, in his article on ‘Fools
ment of the view expressed therein by Diaspora FOCUS.
Never Die’ gives a wider perspective on the theme of sacri- Thanks.
fice in the context various religious traditions. The story of

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Be A Living Sacrifice
Revd Dr. M. Mani Chacko

Paul wrote “... to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, whole world. This means that worship moves away from
holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. 12:1). The expression just this hour to all the hours of our lives, and it moves
“living sacrifice” is set against the backdrop of the Old away from one activity of coming to worship to all of our
Testament sacrifices. While the Old Testament worshiper activities: each relationship, each task, each opportunity,
offered an animal, the New Testament worshiper is to each problem, each success, and each failure.
offer himself or herself. Just as the people of Israel pre-
sented their animal sacrifices to the priests, we are to True worship is our personal linking of faith and works,
hand over our bodies to God. Out of celebration for what the offering of everyday life to God, and it is not some-
God has done for us through his Son, Jesus Christ, we thing that takes place only in church. Real worship sees
give ourselves to him. When Paul uses the term body, he the whole world as the temple of the living God and every
is implying the whole person. This presentation can be common deed as an act of worship. Real worship is the
seen in much the same way that a defeated general of an offering of everyday life to God. A person may say, “I am
army would hand over his sword, thereby demonstrating going to church to worship God,” but he or she should
the surrender of his whole being. also be able to say, “I am going to the office, the school,
the garage, the garden, the field, to worship God.” To
In this act of consecration, we give not our dead bodies, truly know who and how you worship should be reflected
but rather we make a living sacrifice. A “living sacrifice” in our office, in our business affairs, the way we treat our
sounds like an oxymoron. A living sacrifice is more diffi- neighbors, how we earn our money, how we save it, and
cult to give than a dead sacrifice. A living sacrifice means how we spend it. Worship affects everything we do and
something to us. It has intrinsic value. Dead sacrifices everywhere we are.
have no value. They do not mean anything to us. Living
sacrifices cost us something. Dead sacrifices cost noth- We demonstrate our commitment by refusing to conform
ing. to this world by being transformed through renewed
minds. Paul stated, “Do not be conformed to this age, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you
may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will
of God” (Rom. 12:2). When we give ourselves to God it is
reflected in how we live. Believers stay in the secular
world without being trapped by it and molded by it. We
live as holy people. People, who are distinct, separated
from the ways and the wiles of this world. We live as non-
conformist people. We live as transformed people. Wor-
shiping people are changed people. It is reflected in their
walk, their talk, and their personality. The primary goal of
worship is transformation. The only way transformation
can occur is to give ourselves totally to God so the mind
and power of Jesus Christ can indwell in us. And when
that happens, every moment, every activity of life, we are
There were two “living sacrifices” recorded in the Bible. like Jesus.
These two examples give us a clue as to what it means to
offer a living sacrifice. Both were acts of worship. The first
Becoming a living sacrifice will change our inner wants
was Isaac. He willingly put himself on the altar and would
and desires so that we do not feel that we are giving up
have died in obedience to God’s will, but the Lord sent a
something precious, but that we are getting something
ram to take his place. Isaac “died” just the same—he died
precious. Being a living sacrifice, then, is no sacrifice at
to self and willingly yielded himself to God’s will. When he
all. It is what we desire.
stepped off the altar, Isaac was a “living sacrifice.” The
second was Jesus. He was the perfect “living sacrifice,”
because he actually died as a sacrifice, in obedience to Revd Dr. M. Mani Chacko, Ph. D
(London) was the former General Sec-
God’s will.
retary, Bible Society of India, Banga-
lore; he was also the former Director,
Living implies life. Life is an everyday experience. Offering Ecumenical Christian Centre, White-
ourselves to God is not something that should be con- field, Bangalore, and the former Prin-
tained within sixty-minute worship. A living sacrifice is a cipal, Gurukul Lutheran Theological
sacrifice that is alive and continuous in action. This College & Research Institute, Chennai.
means worship occurs not just in the sanctuary but in our

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Being a Living Sacrifice
Dr. George Varghese
forgiven and given a new beginning, humanity is
This is easier said than done. All of us who try to follow blessed with the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit to
Jesus of Nazareth know much about the sacrificial live out a new lifestyle called the life in the kingdom of
death of this Man on our behalf. This is a strange act of God. Resurrection of Jesus from the dead made this
God, very difficult to fathom. As Paul said, it is a foolish new life in the Spirit possible. Now for us there is a new
message, but somehow God found it necessary to do shift in the idea of sacrifice. We are instructed to re-
this to save us. This sacrifice led to salvation from the member the sacrifice of Jesus as we partake in the bro-
ugly power of sin and freedom from fear and slavery. ken bread and poured out wine. Our Active remem-
Agreeing with God in His treatment for our spiritual brance becomes an Enacted sacrifice.
sickness and living out its implications are the founda-
tions for salvation. This sacrifice is unique and it cannot Remembering as a sacrifice.
be repeated. This plan of salvation was in the mind of Paul exhorts us to be a living sacrifice. How?
God even before the creation, it got manifested 2000 Sacrifice of choice—Jesus showed this choice when
years ago. In eternity, the omniscient God prepared the he said,” Not my will but yours.” Sacrificing or denying
way for the fallen humanity to return home. Now what something of less value for something of greater value.
are its implications? How shall we respond to this It may involve saying no to our selfish desires, destruc-
strange Grace? tive addictions, wrong attitudes, and unhealthy relation-
ships. It can be painful to say no to our past ways of
Narrators of the Old Testament, revealed the fact that functioning. It may feel like death. But it is the path to a
God was not interested in our sacrifices as an atone- transformed life, growth, and identity.
ment for our sins. Yet there are various instances of
sacrifices in the biblical stories. God Himself sacrificed Sacrifice of prayer is another way to experience the joy
an animal and used its skin to cover the nakedness of of relationship with The Father. Carving out time to
Adam and Eve. God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice. spend with God’s word, dialoging with God and sharing
May be there was instruction given to Adam about how intimate moments in His presence, beholding The Man
to approach God, through the shedding of blood of an on the cross in silence, all require finding time in the
animal. An innocent needed to die in a sinner’s place so midst of our busy schedule.
that the sinner can find forgiveness and life. This is
something we find repulsive. We do not understand the Putting aside entertainments, internet browsing and
gravity of human rebellion from God’s point of view. We wasteful engagement with irrelevant digital world to
do not understand what holiness or sinless perfection is. ponder on things of value and taking practical steps
towards kingdom living can be called a sacrifice of
In the case of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice Time.
his son Isaac, is to communicate that no one is good or
appropriate enough to be sacrificed to please God. At Sacrifice of Giving can be in the form of sharing resources
that time there were child sacrifices practiced by various towards kingdom building and for acts of charity. Hospitali-
people groups to appease various gods. God used this ty or providing space for a stranger, listening to the stories
culturally accepted method to reveal to Abraham that of a hurting person, visiting the sick or being involved in
His God is not like other gods who demanded human prison ministry all requires giving a bit of oneself to anoth-
sacrifices. Thus, Israel entered a new phase in their un- er. God sees this as precious.
derstanding and moved to animal sacrifices to atone for
their sins and guilt. During exodus this ritual got codified Praise and thanksgiving are another form of sacrifice.
and elaborated. Many times, we do not feel like praising. We forget to be
thankful and become ungrateful. At these times, praising
The purpose of these sacrifices was to communicate God seems like an uphill task. It is important to recollect
that God takes sin seriously and a price had to be paid God’s goodness and be thankful.
as a penalty even as a temporary solution in an individ-
We can sacrifice all these without any love for God or peo-
ual’s life. The judge of the whole earth demands justice
ple. But these sacrifices are a reasonable response to-
and He spelt it out to His people in detail. This was a
wards God’s greater love for us. These are easy yokes to
temporary measure even though God had no pleasure
carry. Jesus promised to be with us as we are enabled to
in these sacrifices. God decided one final act of su- live a life of little sacrifices for loves sake. As we live out
preme sacrifice to end all other sacrifices as a means to this sacrificial life, we will be surprised at the emerging joy
reconcile man kind to Himself. Thus, the voluntary sacri- and peace that replaces boredom in daily life. We become
fice of a sinless man called Jesus of Nazareth who took partners with God in His enterprise of reclaiming the world.
the sin of the whole world as our representative, be-
came the source of life for all humanity. This is God’s He is no fool to sacrifice what is diminishing and destruc-
initiative to bring us back home to Himself. After being f tive to get what is enriching and life affirming.

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Be a Living Sacrifice
Mrs. Seba Elsa Alex

A rich man approaches Jesus and asks him a profound wealth. The rich man's failure to give up on a life of
existential and theological question: (Mat 19: 16-30) luxury causes Jesus to say: “It is easier for a camel to
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The rich man go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is
assumed that eternal life could be gained by obediently rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
following a set of commands. His question, (Mat 19: 16-
30) with an emphasis on 'I', reveals his self-centered
perspective about spirituality. The man was a self-
righteous person who believed that just by doing some
good deeds, apart from keeping all the commandments,
he could guarantee his place in the kingdom of God. He
thought that Jesus, being a good teacher, would be
able to give him the answer that would lead him to eter-
nal life.

Jesus assesses the young man and tells him, "There is

still one thing lacking.” Jesus tells him that only one Jesus is calling all of us to make a radical shift in our
hurdle stands between him and eternal life: his enor- priorities and commitments. We need to shed our ego,
mous wealth. So, Jesus gives the man a few simple in- the pride we take in earthly accomplishments, and our
structions: (1) sell everything you have; (2) give it away fetish for associating with greatness. The life of Christ
to the poor (and you will have treasure in heaven); (3) was one of self-denial and complete submission to
and come, (4) follow me. God’s will. In his relationship with God and people, he
always proved himself to be a humble servant, without
The young man is crestfallen when he hears this simple pretense, pride, greed and prejudices. Our attitude
command: to sell his possessions and give it to the should be the same as that of Jesus Christ, who hum-
poor. He cannot bring himself to surrender his wealth, bled himself, became a servant, and was obedient unto
which he holds very close to his heart. The man is able death.
to follow commandments in letter ('do not commit mur-
der, adultery, steal, or give false testimony; honour your On the night of December 2, 1984, tragedy struck the
father and mother, and love your neighbour as your- Indian city of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
self'). But he is unable to follow God's commands in Around 30 tons of methyl isocyanate, a highly toxic gas,
spirit ('sell your wealth and follow me'). leaked from the pesticide plant of the Union Carbide
company, snuffing out the lives of thousands of resi-
Eternal life is promised to those who keep the com- dents of the city. At the time of the deadly leak, known
mandments of God’s covenant with Israel (vv. 19-20): as the Bhopal gas tragedy, Ghulam Dastagir was the
'sell what they have, give to the poor’, and 'give up eve- deputy station superintendent at Bhopal railway station.
rything to follow God' (vv. 21). The response of Jesus Though he was not aware of the gas spreading through
makes it clear that salvation can be gained only by the the city and silently killing all the people it passed over,
grace of God and the complete surrender by faith to Dastagir felt some discomfort in his body. The poison-
God's will and plan. Jesus says salvation for everyone is ous fumes were quickly encompassing the entire city
impossible for human beings to achieve with just their and Dastagir sensed something was wrong. He imme-
good works, but with God's help everything is possible diately alerted the senior railway staff at nearby stations
(v. 27). Salvation, therefore, depends on both God’s like Vidisha and Itarsi, and asked them to suspend or
grace and our response to God’s invitation to faithful- divert trains approaching Bhopal. At the railway station,
ness. By giving up their worldly possessions and follow- people were gasping for air and dropping dead. Dasta-
ing Christ, the faithful receive a bountiful reward: the gir chose to remain on service, running from one plat-
experience of fellowship with God in the present and the form to another, attending, helping and consoling vic-
eternal life in the future. tims. Dastagir himself spent his last 19 years shuttling in
and out of hospitals. He developed a painful growth in
In the Old Testament, obedience to commandments the throat owing to prolonged exposure to toxic fumes.
showed genuine evidence of faith. It also meant having When he passed way in 2003, his death certificate men-
undivided loyalty to the will of God. The rich man did tioned that he was suffering from diseases caused as a
abide by the commandments, but it did not include sur- direct result of exposure to methyl isocyanate. Dastagir
rendering to the will of God. For entering the kingdom of is still fondly remembered by the residents of Bhopal for
God, Jesus expects true discipleship and surrender to his selfless service and sacrificial love that saved hun-
God's will. Given the option of choosing between his dreds of lives on that fateful day.
money and following Christ, the young man chose his

8 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

As Christians, we are called to follow in Jesus’s foot- Mar Thoma Sabha Secretariat -
steps and love our fellow beings unconditionally. John
Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Navathi Office Complex
1:14 says, “The word became flesh and dwelt among
us.” Jesus came from his father full of grace and truth.
God chose to have his only begotten son born in a bro-
ken and chaotic world. Jesus incarnated and dwelt
among broken people. He visited their homes, ate their
food, washed their feet, understood their pain and
healed their wounds. Jesus integrated into their com-
munities and became one among them. We are called
to be Christ-like; to manifest God’s love by responding
to the needs and problems of people. Jesus displayed
incredible power by becoming nothing and powerlessly
dying on the cross. Jesus Christ deliberately and con-
sciously chose a different lifestyle in this world, the life-
style of the cross, and made the cross the symbol of
unconditional love and sacrifice. Jesus Christ identified
himself with the marginalised and reached out to people
languishing at the bottom of the social pyramid — the
poor, women, Samaritans, lepers, children, prostitutes
and tax collectors. It was on June 27, 2020 during the Navathi celebrations of His
Grace Most Revd Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan (21st
In No Handle on the Cross: An Asian Mediation on the Mar Thoma) the foundation stone was laid for the Navathi of-
Crucified Mind (1976), Kosuke Koyama, a Japanese fice complex at Tiruvalla. It was a blessed and amazing occa-
Protestant theologian, compares the cross with a Japa- sion with the presence of many religious, social and political
nese businessman’s lunchbox. He says the lunchbox is leaders of India. It was memorable that Hon. Prime Minister of
India, Sri. Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navathi celebration
small, tidy and convenient, and has a handle on it, mak-
through a video message from the Prime Minister’s office in
ing it easy to be carried anywhere. In contrast, Koyama Delhi. Unfortunately, Thirumeni was called to eternal rest on
says, there is no handle on the cross. It is inconvenient Sunday, October 18, 2020 after completing 63 years in or-
to bear the heavy wooden cross and drag it along the dained ministry, of which 45 years as a bishop (1975-2020),
steep climb to Mount Calvary. Jesus did not carry his including 13 years (2007-2020) as the 21st Metropolitan of the
cross as a businessman carries his briefcase, or as World-wide Mar Thoma Church. The Sabha Secretariat was
Christians symbolically wear a necklace with a large inaugurated by Most Revd Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metro-
cross pendant. It is easy to adorn the cross as a style politan on August 21, 2023. The Secretariat consists of Sabha
statement, but it is difficult to bear the cross. The cross office, offices of Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam, Mar
is not an idol to be worshipped, but a lifestyle to be fol- Thoma Evangelistic Association, Mar Thoma Voluntary Evan-
gelists’ Association, Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sangham,
lowed. A lifestyle of unconditional and sacrificial love.
Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam.
Paul clearly says in Galatians 6:17, “From henceforth,
let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of It is good to remember and thank God for Thirumeni’s illustri-
the Lord Jesus.” Today's society is obsessed with ous Palakunnathu family, which played important roles during
branded goods. The value and worth of people are de- the reformation of the Church in the 18th Century. This family
termined based on whether they own Gucci bags, wear provided five Metropolitans covering a long period of three
Rolex watches and drive Mercedes-Benz cars. Even centuries from 1842 to 2020. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan
neighbourhoods are branded nowadays with special was conscious of his historical ancestral connections, legacy,
enclaves keeping the rich from associating with or com- traditions, and responsibility. Thirumeni’s administrative abili-
ing into contact with the poor in society. What is the ties were outstanding; everyone turned to him for advice and
solution of trickiest problems. The old dictum of President
‘brand’ that is stamped on our bodies? Do we bear the
Truman, ”the buck stops here.” was true with Thirumeni; this
marks of consumerism or the marks of the cross? Are meant Thirumeni accepted personal responsibility for the ad-
our lives clearly aligned with Jesus? Paul says in Gala- ministration. It was a true way of ‘being a living sacrifice.’ He
tians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should boast or seek was also actively involved with the ecumenical movement.
glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Thirumeni spared no time and pain in keeping relationships
whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the with people from all sections of society. Thirumeni also had an
world.” amazing sense of history. Thirumeni was a master craftsman,
Mrs. Seba Elsa Ales is the wife of when dealing with current issues, he always found biblical
Revd Vinith Mathew, Vicar, Nooranad reference points and narratives to help him to guide others.
For all these and many other reasons the recently inaugurated
Salem Mar Thoma Church, Kerala.
Mar Thoma Sabha Secretariat (Joseph Mar Thoma Navathi
She has a M. Com, Diploma in Jour- Office Complex) of the worldwide Mar Thoma Church in the
nalism; she was a former Special Sabha headquarters at Tiruvalla is a fitting memorial for this
Trainer in ASAP (Additional Skill Acquisition Program) good and faithful servant of God. For the Editorial Board
among tribal students.

9 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

To Be Living Sacrifices: The Continuing Mission Mandate
Revd Vinod Victor

While we cherish memories of heroic adventures of mis- H was leading a very comfortable life in Malaysia but felt
sionaries of the past who ventured into unknown territo- deeply moved by the plight of women trafficked into the
ries with the Gospel and celebrate their sacrifices, it is sex industry in Thailand and therefore, decided to move
also important to acknowledge that there are several liv- to be with them and engage in initiatives for emancipat-
ing saints around us who live as living sacrifices among ing the women. Since beginning her ministry in Chiang
us. While Post-Colonial theology is now engaged in cri- Mai in 2018, H has spent much of her time equipping
tiquing the missionary methodology and deconstructing herself in learning the Thai language, understanding the
mission paradigms, we must also be able to see how local culture, establishing a community of intercessors to
committed youngsters are willing to live as sacrifices for pray for the cause of human trafficking, whilst completing
the sake of the gospel of life and for the dignity of others. her higher certification in Trauma Counselling. She has
also been building friendships with many women trapped
At AsiaCMS (https://www.asiacms.net/), we consistently in the sex industry.
find people coming forward to be mission partners and
while we were compiling the stories of people who are on Along with her husband, H developed a Transformation
the ground, it was indeed exciting to see their commit- Program and opened a Center for Women that provides
ment and passion for the Lord. Though tempted to name employment opportunities for women who are at risk,
individuals, I prefer to share their stories, giving them the vulnerable, exploited or impacted by trauma and for
privilege of privacy, as we try to understand the implica- those who choose to leave the sex industry to start their
tions of being called to live as living sacrifices. lives over”.

Sacrificing “Expectations”, Launching into the “Un- Yes, it is a fact that several people are forced to migrate
expected” and live as refugees because they have no other choice.
But the bigger challenge is that when you have choices
The mission call is often to spaces and contexts one and when the cozy comforts of home beckon you to stay
on and when you embark on a journey, keeps calling you
would never expect in normal circumstances.
back. To go on in a journey that involves uncertainties
As a young person, J had her own aspirations and and risk, sometimes in the ruggedness of temporary
dreams and seeing how academically brilliant she was, tents, calls for a life as living sacrifices.
the community also put lots of hopes and expectations
on her. But for J, the life-changing encounter with Jesus Sacrificing Lucrative Careers and Lure of Materialism
was also a call to touch the lives of people who were suf- “Our Co-Mission Partner Ps T serves and reaches out to
fering. She was particularly moved by the plight of refu- the hearing-impaired community in the Mekong region.
gee women. “Many refugees are unable to afford rent, He was born into a Buddhist family, who subsequently
basic necessities or school fees for their children simply accepted Christ whilst living in a refugee camp, when the
because they lack a stable income. Refugee women are whole family had to flee their home due to civil unrest.
also vulnerable to exploitation, violence and sexual The family eventually returned to their home country and
abuse with little to no means of seeking justice.” The endured continual religious persecution. Nonetheless,
missional question J struggled with was, “What positive the intensity of the persecution intensified his faith and
impact can I make in the lives of these refugee women?” Ps T considers that season in his life to be a real blessing
She decided to go and work among refugee women to and time of growth.
restore dignity of life bringing in business as a model of
mission.
After ministerial training, Ps T was assigned to a church
where many had hearing difficulties. He realised that
J’s story is only representative of the youngsters, who communicating with these members was next to impos-
are leading God’s mission today. sible. He had the option to ignore them and just concen-
trate on the mainline ministry of the large church which in
Sacrificing the Cosiness of Home into the Rugged- itself was lucrative. But instead, Ps T began learning sign
ness of “tents” language. God gave him the gift to quickly comprehend
and master sign language. Soon he became proficient
enough to use sign language to teach the Word of God
The call to mission becomes challenging because it in- to his hearing-impaired congregation. Since then, his one
vites one to unfamiliar territories. Leaving the comfort of congregation has grown and he now oversees churches
the home, specially when one has all the security needed in four different provinces – all focusing on the hearing-
and dear ones near, is a tough call. It calls for sacrifice. impaired community.”

10 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Like Ps T, many who could live lucrative lives, have cho- translator of leadership training books and materials. As
sen a path of service and frugality for the sake of the he grew in his faith, he sensed the Lord guiding his heart
Gospel and the passion from Christ’s message. They to serve the rural churches in Cambodia, revealing what
decided to sacrifice all that was attractive from a worldly their needs were and steering him towards equipping
standpoint for the sake of a more meaningful and deeper and training the people there. While serving as a trainer
sense of achievement. to church leaders, P felt the need to study Missions. He
then launched an Institute for the purpose of equipping
Sacrificing the Security of Known Terrains and training local missionaries through collaboration with
local churches and now works concentrating in rural are-
as of Cambodia.”

The challenge for many people are how their decisions

affect their families. Re-location is part of mission and in
several cases, re-location leads to dislocation of families.
Children are forced to study in places, where they would
not, given a choice. Spouses love the comfort of their
cities, but choose to sacrifice for the sake of the mission
call. Some parents are left behind with no one to take
care of them, which could be very painful. Some people
are not able to return to their dear ones for years. Yet
they decide to live as sacrifices.

Sacrificing Personal Dreams for the sake of the

Journey from the known into the unknown is never easy.
dreams of others
It calls for both faith and courage. “Ps J works amongst
an unreached people group in one of the Indonesian is-
lands. Whilst studying in Singapore for his Masters in K had wanted to excel in the entertainment industry, but
Missions program, Ps J received a revelation from God an encounter with the suffering people in a redlight street
that he will serve and reach out to the unreached ethnic changed her perspective. She wanted to do something
group. He had a vision of a fisherman in a boat and on significant to help the girls trafficked, but soon realised
top of the fisherman there were seven lights, which that the structures were so strong that she could not do
spoke of the perfection of the Holy Spirit. This vision real- much on her own. However, the pain in the eyes of the
ly encouraged him and strengthened his calling to reach girls made her sleepless. She wanted to reach out and
the unreached ethnic group. His ministry helps poor help. She decided to start a nail polishing centre near the
people in rural areas within the island and they help the affected area. The girls could come to her and do their
community by providing education - starting from kin- nails free of cost or for a small cost.
dergarten, with a free tuition centre.”
“They sit with me for about thirty minutes and that time is
I particularly remember a visit to a very remote village in enough to start a conversation and some of them literally
Bhutan. The people were excited to see me and as I got poured out their pain with me. I can only listen, which I do. I
to know the community and they got to know where I also encourage them not to lose sight of their dreams and
came from and the language I spoke, they said that deep assure them the redeemer would surely come and help
in the forest lived a doctor lady who spoke the same lan- them out of the labyrinth”, she says with her eyes shining.
There are many who sacrifice personal dreams for the sake
guage and came from the same region. I decided to un-
of the call, which has transformed their lives. These sacrific-
dertake the arduous journey to meet her. Lo and behold I
es are not small. They need to be acknowledged and ap-
was welcomed by a frail woman who was the doctor of
preciated. The missionary call continues to excite people. A
the entire village. She came as a young medical profes- living manifestation of living sacrifices are the known and
sional to complete her commitment after her medical unknown missionary warriors who are at the edges of God’s
education at a prestigious institution. But the needs of mission today. Let us thank the Lord for them.
the people did not allow her to go back. What began as
an excitement that should have lasted a few weeks end-
Revd Vinod Victor is the Chairperson
ed up as a life-time commitment for the wellbeing of the
of AsiaCMS and the Chaplain of the
forest people. She was a classic example of a living sac- Anglican Church Freiburg. Live mis-
rifice. sion stories are from the AsiaCMS
magazine 2023. Rev. Vinod is an
Sacrificing the Comfort Zones of the Family ordained minister in the Church of
South India. He has long been in-
P accepted Jesus during his last year of high school and volved in social outreach and mis-
felt called to ministry soon after. He began with involve- sion work in India.
ment in the youth ministry at his church and later, as a

11 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Faith and Submission – A Living Sacrifice
Mrs. Anu Abraham

When we study the Bible regarding the verse to be a liv- Submission of Mind, Body, and Soul
ing sacrifice, it resonates the importance of submitting
oneself wholly to Christ. The more we study, the more we
realize the value of submitting to His will. As important as
submission is, so is the seed of faith behind the submis-
sion. Faith is a well-known term to every believer. It is the
germination of a seed towards submission. Hence it is
interrelated from the beginning.

A Living Sacrifice in the Old Testament meant the sacri-

fices of animals. Whereas the New Testament reveals the
One and True Living Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the
cross. But what does it mean in today's context? Has
the concept of giving oneself fully to Christ changed?
Does it have different layers of skin in a believer? Does
faith have subdivisions in the mind, body, and soul of a
believer? Can these subdivisions prove to be more holy
and saintly than in a simple submission to faith? Every believer has three different sections – which are
the mind, body, and soul; that is submitted to Christ.
Faith can be nothing but blind belief. It is also the joy of Here let us try to understand each section that leads to
knowing a direction in one's life. Zacchaeus became a submission and being a living sacrifice.
believer when he was chosen among the many, to be the
only one to honor Christ at that particular moment. In The Mind
doing so he became instantly a living sacrifice of faith
and submission. Faith however as mentioned above have The human structure is built in such a way that the mind
subdivisions. Firstly, faith is the beginning of a pathway. is the headquarters of where all decisions and habits are
Before one chooses how to live, one needs to know made. We overcome situations by the direct health of the
where to go. The direction of faith is very important. Sec-
mind. If the mind is strong then the decision made by the
ondly, faith is a journey. From the beginning of the path- mind will also be strong. The mind contributes also to
way till the end of the believer's journey upon entry to habits, declaration of one’s faith and the undisturbed
eternal life. Thirdly, faith is a transition. From nothingness pattern to follow Christ and believe in the eternity of
to being complete. As we study more about faith, we heaven beyond earth. The mind is also the place where
recognize how it leads to being a living sacrifice. battles are fought and lost if attempted by the mind alone
without the guidance of God. When the mind is submit-
ted to God, there is a positive factor that the battle is
The Different Layers of Skin in a Believer won by the Lord. This does not mean that failures or lost
battles do not happen. Life is realistic enough to be un-
We live in a world that daily challenges the believer to his derstood that the believer will undergo tribulations, temp-
or her faithfulness to Christ. Technology, culture, and tations, and constant battles in the mind. And yet the
human behavior puts the believer in a box that requires believer is assured of the sanity of the mind with com-
him to convince himself first the reason behind his faith plete submission to God and thereby being a living sacri-
in Christ. When questioned upon, such must be his faith fice through this mental declaration of faith.
that it will stand the test of time and tribulation. Submis-
sion becomes a prayer that is uttered from the believers’ The Body
mouth at times of trouble and joy. A believer can under-
go various situations that will require him or her to ex- The body is another very important aspect to consider
plain to the world why he chooses to be a living sacrifice. for a proper submission as a living sacrifice. The outer
This is where the different layers of faith come to action. forces against Christian faith aim to destroy the body and
The believer holds to the eternal glory which is promised thereby crumble the mind along with the affliction caused
to those who complete the race faithfully. Faith and on the body. Pain, the result of affliction can be beyond
submission are found in layers that uphold the context of the level of acceptance at times. Even then history re-
submission multiple times if the believer tends to fail in peatedly tells us about believers and martyrs who sub-
certain attempts of submission at times of question. mitted their body as a living sacrifice for Christ when their
faith was questioned. The Bible has many examples. But
even in the present day there are strong examples of

12 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

such living sacrifices. Christians are questioned about Reflections on Late E. J. George Achen
their faith, their bodies are pounced upon and destroyed Mrs. Dr. Justeena Jess George
beyond recognition. Even then a true believer holds on in
his mind submitting his body, knowing completely that Acha, you conquered the world around you with love and lived
the body is just an outer covering and that faith eternal is for others.
their true journey. A journey of transition. A pathway cho-
sen with purpose. A mind solidified in faith irrespective of My memory of Achen goes way back as a little child my mother
what the body goes through. The actual practicality of would tell me Achen was our grandfather’s close friend.
submitting one's body to affliction is of great pain which
During Achen’s early posting in Nilambur where he and
is often not comprehensible to an ordinary person. And
Kochamma served, my grandparents were blessed to have
yet Christ strengthens the mind of the believer to submit Achen as their vicar. Achen developed a strong bond with my
his or her body to whatever circumstances come their grandfather. They would spend hours in the evening under
way in their race to eternity. candlelight in the small village eating dinner and talking about
what mattered in life. My grandfather would beam with joy as
The Soul he recounted countless memories of E. J. George Achen.

I learnt about Achen’s countless long travels on foot to faraway

places with his love for Christ. In each and every person that he
met it seemed time would freeze and he would spend hours
enquiring their burdens and praying for them. Achen would visit
houses late into the evening and when asked if he had eaten,
he said he had. But the parishioners didn’t know whether he
meant that he had eaten the day before.

Food was never a priority for him. He loved others more than
himself. Many of his journeys would often take him faraway
The soul of a believer is already bought through the places and late at night he would see some lorry (trucks) going
blood of Jesus on the cross. As we live each day the back on the road to home and wave his hand and some drivers
question of being a living sacrifice emerges in a form that would take him in and drop him back.
asks the believer whether he or she is true to their soul. A
spiritual bridge is formed between each believer and the E. J. George Achen lived a life that exemplified the life of a fol-
eternal gates of heaven. When Jesus was dying on the lower of Christ. I remember hearing a humorous story of semi-
nary students on their way to Hoskote mission field where
cross, he promised the thief who submitted his soul,
Achen was serving.
seeking forgiveness which would give him direct entry to
Heaven. The soul is the last lap of the race towards our On their last day, they had all come to the railway station to go
heavenly destination. When the believer submits his soul back to Kerala. E. J. George Achen was also to go to Kerala
as a living sacrifice by ordaining himself towards purity with them. The train was about to leave but Achen hadn’t ar-
and hence through the grace of God, he or she enters rived at the station. Knowing Achen everyone knew he must be
the holy gates of Heaven. speaking to someone on the way so they all boarded. Just as
the train started moving, Achen reached. The seminary stu-
Submission of the mind, body and soul therefore com- dents helped him in and when enquired where he was, he said,
“The train, I can get even tomorrow, but I won’t get Abraham
bines together to become a living sacrifice for Christ Je-
tomorrow.” What a lover of mankind!
sus. God in his mercy has through grace made it possi-
ble to submit oneself and hence be a model of sacrifice Achen during his long travels, one day saw a young boy aban-
to the present and to the generations to come. So, has doned by his parents on the side of the road crying. Achen took
the meaning of being a living sacrifice in today's context him home, adopted him as his own son and he grew up to be a
changed? No, it still demands the faithfulness and holi- wonderful minister in the Church.
ness as was required from the first disciples of Christ.
Holding on to one’s faith with complete submission is the E. J. George Achen never wanted to make a name for himself. I
crux of discipleship expected from every believer. There have often heard him say, I just want them to know my Lord.
He carried his cross daily and was the Lord’s hands and feet in
is no other pathway than this sort of humble submission
this broken world.
with solid faith. To be a Christian means to submit wholly
to His will to be a living sacrifice. Over the years Achen came and stayed with us in nearly all the
parsonages we were at. We as children eagerly looked forward
Mrs. Anu Abraham (Anu Kalikal) is a writer, to him coming and spending time with us. He would tell us sto-
artist, and book Illustrator. She currently ries of journeys and of the Lord, he always knew how to speak
resides in Washington DC with her husband to our hearts. He would encourage us. Over the years I have
Revd Byju Thomas, Vicar of Mar Thoma seen behind Achen’s ever calm and gentle demeanor his
strong conviction on which he anchored his life. Achen often
Church of Greater Washington, MD.
spoke to us about his burdens for the church and the desper-
ate need for revival.
(Continued on page 25)

13 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Reflections on a ‘Living Sacrifice.’
Dr. Zac Varghese

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it, you lifeless, breathless, in a dead state, and it is repeated
would not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, over and again, year after year. A living sacrifice is a life
O God, is a broken spirit and contrite heart; you, God, set apart for God.
will not despise” ( Psalm 51:16-17).
The objective of this article is to uncover the meaning
‘Living sacrifice’ is a phrase that St. Paul introduced in and significance of a ‘living sacrifice;’ it is simply ‘the
his letter to the Romans (Rom 12:1), which is in line with cost of discipleship’ as St. Paul described through his
Jesus’ teachings. Jesus said to his disciples, “Who-ever ministry and his epistles. Bonhoeffer wrote: “When
wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” St. Paul
their cross and follow me”(Mt 16:24). He repeated this wrote to Romans to present themselves as living sacri-
message again (Mt 10:38; Lk 14:27).What does this fices; he understood that his life did not belong to him
mean? Carrying your own cross is another way of saying after his ‘Damascus Road experience,’ and afterwards
you need to die to yourself or become a living sacrifice during his three missionary journeys for spreading the
for becoming disciple of Jesus. The crucifixion was the good news of God’s salvation scheme for the whole
end of Jesus carrying the cross all His earthly-life. Carry- world; he also carried a thorn in his flesh (2 Cor 2:7).
ing the cross means, we must die to our own self-will Therefore, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “I
and surrender to God’s will, as Jesus taught us in the have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who
Lord’s Prayer. This is a daily death to self; it is not a one- live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live
time event. We are to identify with Christ’s death on the in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
cross. loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). In a spir-
itual sense, Paul’s old self and the life he lived for himself
One of St. Paul’s brilliant, but puzzling phrase can be died with Christ. His new life now is given to him by Je-
found in his letter to the Romans (Rom;12:1): “There- sus. Therefore, Paul lived ‘in Christ’ every day through
fore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s faith in the life-giving power of Jesus. This ‘in Christ’ ex-
mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy perience of Paul was a total sacrifice to his old self and
and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper he had a new resurrected life in and through Jesus.
worship.” How do we understand the phrase ‘a living
sacrifice?’ It sounds like an oxymoron, meaning a com- Paul describes being a living sacrifice as a spiritual wor-
bination of contradictory words, living and sacrifice. The ship. The word for worship here can also mean ministry
concept of a living sacrifice is one that requires a deeper or service. One way to understand sacrifice in the NT is
study into Jesus’ and St. Paul’s teachings. as a service or offering to God. We see this idea in Phi-
lippians 4:18 when Paul describes a gift, he received
Various kinds of sacrifices (burnt offering, guilt offering, from the Philippian church as “a fragrant offering, a
sin offering, scapegoating and peace offering) were sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Paul is not
mentioned in the Old Testament (OT) at various times saying that they literally made an offering to God in an
and for specific purposes in the life of the Israelites. In OT sense. Rather, by serving Paul and meeting the
Leviticus in addition to various offerings, we also read needs for his missionary endeavours, the Philippian faith
Scapegoating, which is about the practice of sending a community served the cause of God, which was “ac-
goat to the wilderness on Yom Kippur after the high ceptable and pleasing” to the Lord.
priest laid the collective sins of the people on its head;
when we come to think of it, we continue this practice in To be a living sacrifice also means to live every minute of
political and religious life and put a person or a group to every day as an offering and service to the Lord. It is
bear the blame for others. Coming to the New Testament against the culture of self-promotion or virtue signalling,
(NT), we see the practice of animal sacrifice disappear- and making our own dreams come true. It means laying
ing, but the language of sacrifice has vital significance down our own ambitions, dreams, gifts, fears, and telling
with reference to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. God, “take me and use me. I am your servant.” Armed
Jesus’ sacrifice was of cosmic importance, it is offered with that mindset, we must be ready to reject things that
only once and for all. The true sacrifice which belongs to we do, which do not line up with God’s word, devote
God should be our experience too, we ourselves should ourselves to having our minds renewed, and to learn how
be the sacrifice, as we read in Proverbs 23:26: “My to discern the will of God for our lives. This is transfor-
son, give me, thine heart.” A living sacrifice is the lived- mation, metanoia, complete surrender, making our mind
out personal experience of a living person compared to remade according to the will of God. Jesus’ mind was in
the sacrifices of the animals, which were presented in a complete harmony with that of His Father (Jn 10:30). Je-

14 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

sus supremely demonstrated what it means to be a liv- walking the second mile, of drawing and redeeming peo-
ing sacrifice. He was our Immanuel – God with us – yet, ple by dying for them
he humbled himself and lived to serve others; it was a
servant ministry. “. . . the son of man did not come to be Secondly, a living sacrifice is to be inwardly transformed
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for and renewed, which will work its way out into actions.
many” (Mt 20:28). He rejected the ideals of the culture Salvation is God forgiving us, and transforming us into
around him and taught the ideals of the kingdom of God. new creatures that love Him and want to do His will. Ra-
ther than focusing on doing and saying all the right
things, we should be focused on the renewal of our life.
We are not expected to stand still, but move from what is
good to that which is better, a movement toward perfec-
tion in Christ. In order to change our behavior, we must
invest time and energy into renewing our minds
through prayer and studying the word of God. We
change the world around us by being
changed/transformed. As we see our life for what it really
is, the ego, the self-centeredness, we begin to realize the
only mind free of ego is the mind of Christ. It is ‘in Christ’
we become a new being, the born-again life that Jesus
offered to Nicodemus (Jn 3:3).

Thirdly, Paul tells us that a person who is committed to

being a living sacrifice will be able to discern the will of
God. The Holy Spirit will guide us to help in our sacrificial
living for the benefit of others with various kinds of needs
around us. To be a living sacrifice means to live every
minute of every day as an offering and service to the
Lord. It radically goes against our culture of self-
promotion and making our own dreams come true. It
means laying down our own ambitions, dreams, gifts,
and fears, and telling God, “Do whatever you want with
me. I am your servant.” Armed with that mindset, we
After encouraging his readers to make themselves living must be ready to reject things that do not line up with
sacrifices, Paul expounds upon them what he means in God’s word, devote ourselves to having our minds re-
the following verse: “ Do not conform to the pattern of newed, and to learn how to discern the will of God for
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our lives.
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect In conclusion, Jesus set a perfect example for us, and
will” (Romans 12:2). From this verse, we can learn three He is always ready to forgive us when we fail to live up to
basic elements of a living sacrifice: 1) not conformed to that ideal. It is true that we may mess up at times, but
the ideals of the world; 2) Transformed by an inward re- the Holy Spirit is right there always to correct us and
newal that works outward; 3) Able to discern the will of bless us with amazing and costly grace. We can take
God. great comfort in this as we work toward living every mo-
ment of our lives as offerings to God to become perfect
Firstly, we are told that a living sacrifice is not con- as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). Lord, help us
formed to what the world looks like or what the world to know your will and to know your promptings to act
can offer, but as believers in Christ, we must have the in accordance with it in our lives to become a living
courage to reject ideals and practices of the world that sacrifice for the benefit of others.
are contrary to what God has said and did through the
mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. As followers of
Christ, we must have the courage to reject ideas and
practices that are contrary to what God has said and fol-
low the values of God’s kingdom. Then and then only,
the world will see that we are disciples of Christ when
we oppose things that are against God’s will. This is a
new revolution for establishing the kingdom of God with
a new type of power – the power of overcoming evil with
good, hate by self-giving love by becoming a sacrificial
lamb. It was the power of turning the other cheek, of

15 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Living Sacrifice
Dr. Jacob C. Tony

“Living sacrifice” is an oxymoron. How could the object This process requires self-sacrifice and annihilation of
or the victim of a sacrifice be alive when sacrifice is de- our will. Through a process if “self-death” we should re-
fined as the ritual destruction of an object? The victim is place our will with the will of the Eternal Father. Our
slaughtered by the effusion of blood, suffocation or by model for this self-abnegation is Jesus himself. No won-
fire in the ritual of sacrifice. The word sacrifice comes der St. Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ, but I live;
from the Latin word Sacrificium (sacer means holy and yet not I anymore, but Christ lives in me.” Every Christian
facere means to make). In other words, sacrifice makes is called to become a living sacrifice. It is not a passive
something holy. process, but a daily process of self-denial on the altar of
our ego. Day by day we are called to smelt our spiritual
M. M. Hubert and Mauss describe sacrifice as “a reli- dross in the furnace of redemptive suffering until we be-
gious act, which, by consecration of a victim, modifies come Christ like in our appearance.
the moral state of the sacrifice.” It is in fact, “a procedure https://bethanyvitaro.com/what-are-we-so-afraid-of-
whereby communication is established between the sa- submission-as-an-integral-part-of-a-life-of-faith/
cred and profane spheres by a victim, that is to say by an
object destroyed in the course of the ceremony.”1

If therefore, the object or the victim is destroyed then

how is it possible to say that one could sacrifice and still
continue to live? To understand the idea of sacrifice, one
has to search the psychology behind this ritual. Carl
Jung dealt with the concept of sacrifice in general and
the transformation symbolism of the Catholic mass in
particular in his book, ‘Psychology of Religion: West and
East.’2 Jung’s psychoanalysis of the symbolism of the
mass is probably the best way to explain the concept of
“Living Sacrifice” promoted by St. Paul in his letter to the
Romans. Jung wrote in the Transformation Symbolism in
the Mass, “every sacrifice is…to a greater or lesser ex-
tent a self-sacrifice. The degree depends on the signifi-
cance of the gift. If it is of great value to me and touches
my most personal feelings, I can be sure that in giving up References
my egoistic claim I shall challenge my ego personality to
revolt. I can also be sure that the power that suppresses 1. Henri Hubert, Marcel Mauss. Sacrifice Its nature and
this claim, and thus suppresses me, must be the self. functions. The University of Chicago Press: Midway re-
Hence it is the self that causes me to make the sacrifice; print: 1981
it compels me to make it. The self is the sacrifice, and I
am the sacrificed gift, the human sacrifice.”2 2. C. G. Jung. Transformation Symbolism in the Mass. In:
Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume II: Psychology
In this form of sacrifice blood is not spilt, soul does not and Religion: West and East, Princeton University Press,
separate from the body and the corpse does not burn in 1969. Pages 252-273.
a funeral pyre. Instead, we give away our lower nature,
one by one. It is a process of slow death, the death of Dr. Jacob C. Tony MBBS,
the flesh, the death of the sinful, fallen Adam. It is the MD, MRCP (UK), MRCP
process of giving up the lust of the flesh, the lust of the (Ireland) is a practicing Neu-
eyes and the pride of life. Paul was alluding to this type rologist in Peoria, Illinois. He
of sacrifice when he wrote to the Ephesians to put off the has authored many articles
old man and to put on the new man. The old man is the in medical journals and has
first Adam, the new man is Jesus, the second Adam. The published six books encom-
process of evolution from the old Adam to the new Adam passing the fields of theolo-
is a process of slow death. It involves the death of greed, gy and philosophy. His re-
lust, pride, and gluttony. We have to give up the material cent book is ‘Paul’s Passion
possessions and excessive attachments that hold us for the Pantocrator.’ (Review
back to this transitory world. Instead, we should elevate in this issue on page 23)
ourselves to the values of a transcendental kingdom.

16 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

To be a Living Sacrifice
Mrs. Bibina Joemon Varughese

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution to follow a By definition, a sacrifice is to give up, to surrender.
healthy meal plan or to exercise daily? Every year people Therefore, a living sacrifice is choosing to surrender our-
make some form of resolution to improve themselves, for selves to God and His chosen path for us. We have to
the coming year ahead. A commitment to eat more fruits, surrender our wants and desires, our self-centered life-
vegetables. Or to eat less of the foods like chips, fried style, and make time and space for God. To not conform
fish/chicken, or no more sugary drinks, etc. How about to the world, we need to reject what does not coincide
making a ‘sacrifice’ during Great Lent, like spending time with God’s principles. God has graciously given us free
reading the Bible or giving up meat for 50 days. These will, instead we choose the world’s path over His. We all
resolutions may hold true for few weeks, even for few know how to spend hours pursuing the pleasures this
months or so. Statistics show only 8-9% of Americans world offers. Often, we unintentionally spend less
keep their resolutions. It takes effort, preparation, and minutes with God. As we read in Matthew, when Jesus
time to remain in commitment to eating healthy, to exer- was in the Garden with the disciples He cried out: ‘the
cise at least three days a week, or even to read the Bible Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.’1 And the disciples
every day. As does to be a living sacrifice. Apostle Paul is prove this as the pleasure of sleep overtakes them. Our
asking, pleads with us, from the beginning of his ministry, desires of the flesh become greater than the desires of
to be a Living Sacrifice. the Holy Spirit in us. There are too many distractions in
this day and age, that remove us from spending time
Who is this, Apostle Paul? Before becoming an apostle with God and worshiping Him.
of Jesus, Paul was Saul of Tarsus, a Jewish Pharisee
who vigorously persecuted Christians. Upon Jesus’ Frank Laubach, a missionary, urged Christians to bring
death and resurrection, on the road to Damascus, a God to mind at least one second out of every sixty.2 In
transformation occurred in Saul to become who we now hopes for Christians to have the attitude of constant
know as Paul the Apostle, the Author, one of the most prayer as spoken of in 1Thessalonians.3 Mr. Laubach
influential leaders of the early Christian church. Imagine was unsatisfied with his relationship with God, the petti-
Saul’s luck of Jesus being on that same road as him. ness, and futility of unled self. In his writings, he states,
Saul was on his way to persecute the new believers of “I am trying to be utterly free from everybody, free from
Christ Jesus, (Acts 9). Through hearing Jesus’ voice, be- my own self, but completely enslaved to the will of God
ing blind for 3 days, praying and receiving help from fel- every moment of this day.” Imagine taking up that chal-
low believer Ananias, the conversion occurs. Paul obeys lenge to keep God in our mind one second out of every
the Great Commission from Jesus to spread His teach- sixty. It is a sacrifice. In the beginning it will be hard, but
ings to the world, and Paul’s love for Jesus begins. if we practice it daily, it will become easier and obtain
that desirable peace, we all seek.
The main Theme of FOCUS for this quarter’s publication
is taken from one of Paul’s writings, Romans 12:1-2. Apostle Paul does not want us to conform to the patterns
Apostle Paul wants us, mere believers, to offer ourselves and values of the world. Instead, he instructs us to align
as living sacrifices to God, to be holy and pleasing to our thoughts with the Father’s teachings. Apostle Paul is
God and not imitate the patterns of this world but to be asking us to not be like everyone else, chasing money
transformed by the renewing of our mind. For His good, and status. Yes, we need money, and God will provide.
pleasing, and perfect will. To experience this transfor- Paul urges us to not get lost in the world of pursing those
mation and have an increased awareness of God’s pur- desires. Not to put worldly possessions first, but rather
pose for our lives, we need to change our mindset and put God first. Make a small change such as, having God
focus more on Jesus. in our minds for 1 second of every sixty. Reading the Bi-
ble first thing in the morning. Talking to God while going
So how do I achieve this? I am not holy. As a child of to school, work, and church. These small changes can
God, am I pleasing in God’s eyes in my daily living? Am I lead us to being a living sacrifice. In Galatians, Paul
trying to transform my inmost being to be pleasing to writes of his transformation. Paul’s old life that he lived
God? What am I sacrificing to God? as Saul died when he met Jesus. When describing his
renewed life, Paul writes ‘it is no longer I who live, but
In the Old Testament, animal sacrifice was a common Christ who lives in me.’4 The absolute transformation
practice and it still exists in some religions. However, Paul had on the road to Damascus, is reflected in this
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us sinners so that verse. We can also have the love and personal relation-
we do not need to make animal sacrifices to please our ship with God that Paul experienced by making a com-
Creator, God. Instead, Jesus asks us to simply live a mitment to God. To be a living sacrifice, we need to re-
Christ centered life, fully devoted to God. pent and not conform to the patterns of the world. We
can do this by spending time with God, devoting our-

17 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

selves to obedience, and allowing God into our hearts to tional conferences such as the ‘Conference of Parties,
do His will. When we do this, the Holy Spirit can trans- and the ‘Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change’
form our thinking, readjust our attitudes and behaviors to under United Nations. It is now accepted that green-
live according to His teachings. In Paul’s epistles, he house gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide,
writes of the sacrificial love Jesus showed on the cross. Chlorofluorocarbons) are responsible for global warming,
Paul proceeds to write of this great love in many of his leading to unpredictable climate changes and environ-
letters to the churches. The first fruit of the Spirit Paul
mental disasters. Scientific evidence suggests that the
states is love, and by living our lives as a sacrifice, we
worst effects of climate change may be averted by cut-
can bear this fruit. The Holy Spirit is our advocate whom
God sent to help us navigate life and produce His fruit.5 ting greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as pos-
Paul emphasizes God’s love throughout his writings, to sible by 2050, the Net-Zero goal. The January 2024 FO-
express to us that even though we are sinners, God’s CUS issue will explore the Christian response to this uni-
salvation –mercy, grace, and love he poured out on the versal, life-threatening, complex issue.
cross— allows us to be forgiven; through repentance and
letting God transform our lives. God does not expect us
to do this on our own; He proves this, by dying on the
cross. God’s love never fails.6

References
1. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will
not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but
the flesh is weak
2. Frank Laubach, The Game with Minutes
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray Sacred Scripture calls believers to care for God's crea-
without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstanc- tion and all of God's children. As creation unfolded under
es; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for God's loving hand, God saw all that He had made and
found it "very good" (Genesis 1: 31). God created the
you.
human person in His "divine image" placing the human
4. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with creature at the summit of the created order. God also
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in blesses the other creatures who share the earth and
me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith makes clear the connection that exists between all living
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave him- things (Genesis 1:27-31). God calls us as His stewards to
self for me. care for the garden He created. The natural world serves
5. John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, as a source of inspiration for our faith and our love for the
creator. Through biblical stories, psalms and parables,
whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
and the beauty of the natural world, we can come to
you all things and will remind you of everything I know God more fully. The Nature is an open book for us
have said to you. to learn from.
6. 1Cornithians 13:8
Jesus’ teachings are particularly applicable to the many
Bibina Joemon Varughese M.A., challenging social, political, economic and ecological
R.D.N., is a member of the St. Ste- questions of our times. In caring for the environment, the
phen’s Mar Thoma Church in East Church has a special responsibility to the poor and the
Brunswick, NJ. Mother of two adult vulnerable in society, who are most affected. It is the re-
children and three kittens. Bibina is sponsibility of the Church to become the voice of the
a Registered Dietitian/ Nutritionist, voiceless. In addressing this issue, it is helpful to extend
with a Masters in Wellness and the concept of ‘common good’ to the Nature as well and
Lifestyle Management. should consider the Nature as our neighbour. We have to
think of protecting the fundamental God-given rights of
Theme for FOCUS – January 2024, Vol. 12, Issue 1 all God’s creation. The common good also requires a
Climate Crisis and the Church concern for not only the people of today but for future
generations as well. It compels us to work towards
worldwide cooperation on issues of global concern like
There is increasing concerns about a global climate cri- the Climate Crisis.
sis, which refers to long-term increases in average global
temperatures and sea-level rises that result from natural Note: The FOCUS Editorial Board requests our contributors
variations and human activities. A broad scientific and and readers to pray for this and also write about it and send
political consensus has developed over the last 20 or so your reflections on or before Nov. 30, 2023 to Dr. Cherian Sam-
uel at his e-mail [email protected]
years for addressing this issue through various interna-

18 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Fools Never Die
Mr. Chhotebhai

While searching for a book in my library this title caught words. That is why “After this many of his disciples went
my eye: “Fools Die”, by Mario Puzo, of “The Godfather” away and accompanied him no more” (Jn 6:66).
fame. Its opening line is even more telling. “Listen to me.
I will tell you the truth about a man’s life.” I have not read The rich young man had kept all the commandments. Yet
the novel, but the writing of this article pushed me into Jesus says to him. “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell
researching the lives of several men. your possessions and give the money to the poor and
you will have treasure in heaven; then follow me. But
I was tasked to write an article to “Be a Living Sacrifice.” when the young man heard these words, he went away
The more I reflected on it, the more intimidated I felt. It sad, for he was a man of great wealth” (Mat 19:22). How
was a personal challenge. Was my life a living sacrifice? do we answer this call to be a living sacrifice? It is intimi-
If not, then what right did I have to write about it? dating.

When we Christians think of a living sacrifice our These demands may have resulted in an ascetic/ monas-
thoughts fly to the voluntary sacrifice of Jesus on the tic form of Christianity that dominated both the Catholic
Cross. He died, he rose, he saved us – mission accom- and Orthodox traditions for centuries. There was a
plished! Now all we need to do is build grandiose marked divide between the sacred and the profane. This
churches in his Holy Name. We can now sit back and austere form of discipleship also resulted in disdain for
relax. anything that smacked of worldliness, including mar-
riage.
Before delving further, let me quote some texts that de-
scribe Jesus’ sacrifice. The first point is to affirm that he Severe forms of penance, like self-flagellation, emerged.
was not “killed by the Jews.” His sacrifice was voluntary. Inquisitions, torture and intolerance became the order of
Jesus says. “I am the Good Shepherd, who lays down the day. St Francis of Assisi in the 13th/14th century was
his life for his sheep. . . I lay it down of my own free will” probably among the first to break this stranglehold – go-
(Jn 10:11,18). “He accepted death on a cross” (Phi 2:8). ing out to seek peace with the Saracens at the height of
“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant the Crusades. His love for nature also broke the severity
sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:2). “But when Christ had offered of the monastic way of life.
for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the
right hand of God” (Heb 10:12). Colonialism ushered in another form of living sacrifice –
the foreign missionary, travelling to distant shores; often
Perhaps this verse leads to passive Christianity, enjoying dying of tropical diseases or “hostile natives.” Here in
the fruits of salvation, while superciliously condemning India, till not so long ago, it was common to hear even
others to Hell. That is why there is a rider, “Let us contin- bureaucrats talk about “missionary zeal.”
ually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb 13:15).
There is no room for passive Christianity. It calls for a Among Catholics, the turning point in the understanding
living sacrifice. of Christian discipleship came with the far-reaching ag-
giornamento (updating) through the Second Vatican
The word “sacrifice” occurs 141 times in the Old Testa- Council (1962-65).Two examples should suffice. The
ment (OT), but just 16 times in the New Testament (NT). “Dogmatic Constitution of the Church” refers to the fami-
The OT sacrifices were external, primarily of animals. ly as the “domestic church” in which Jesus is fully pre-
God tires of these that had been reduced to mere rituals. sent (LG No 11). Likewise, the “Pastoral Constitution of
“What are your endless sacrifices to me says Yahweh… I the Church in the Modern World” begins with these omi-
take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs and goats” nous words: “The joys and hopes, the griefs and anxie-
((Is 1:11). Again, “I do not look at your communion sacri- ties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor
fices of fat cattle” (Amos 5:22). Hence the psalmist ad- or in any way afflicted, are that of the followers of Christ.
vises us that “The sacrifice acceptable to God is … a Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in
contrite heart” (Ps 51:17). their hearts” (GS No 1).

What then is the living sacrifice that God expects of us? This was turning Christian discipleship on its head. An
The phrase is an oxymoron – living and sacrifice, the lat- isolated Church now became an inserted one. This vastly
ter being associated more with death than life! Herein lies expanded the horizons of being a living sacrifice. It was
the challenge. We are asked to “Be” – a state of being, a no longer limited to fasting and penance, but reaching
way of life, not excluding death. As Jesus says, “Anyone out to people in need. The question, “Who is my neigh-
who loves his life, loses it; anyone who hates his life in bour?” (Lk 10:29) now assumed greater significance for
this world, will keep it for eternal life” (Jn 12:25). Strong those seeking to be a living sacrifice.

19 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Just as in the OT God was tired of ritualistic sacrifices; It I have no intention of verifying anything from history or
is now asking us to emerge from our comfort zones; to mythology. My purpose is limited to sharing inspiring
make sacrifices of time, money and even reputation. incidents. What of contemporary sacrifices? Two springs
Mother Teresa’s words ring out, “Don’t give from your to mind.
excess, give from what hurts.” Lest we gloat over how
we are being living sacrifices I give some instances form St Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar. At the
other religions. Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941 ten men were
sentenced to be starved to death. Among them was
Islam shares a common, though varying, belief of Abra- Franciszek Gajowniczek, a married man with children. He
ham’s sacrifice of his son that we believe is a pre- pleaded for clemency. Kolbe stepped in for him, dying an
figurement of Jesus’ own sacrifice. According to the agonizingly slow death.
Quran Sharif he offered up Ismail, not Isaac as per the
Judaic/ Christian belief. This is recorded in Surah Saffat The other was Wing Commander Clarence D’Lima, Vayu
37:100-107 of the Quran. The popular Eid-al-Azha (Bak- Medal, who on 4/11/1977 was piloting a TU 124 aircraft
ra Eid) is a commemoration of this sacrifice. Muslims are carrying Prime Minister Morarji Desai and other VIPs.
expected to rear the sacrificial animal with the affection Due to engine trouble he had to crash land in a paddy
that is accorded an only child. The purpose is to experi- field. If he came tail down his VIP passengers would have
ence the pain of sacrificing a loved one. surely died. If he went nose first, he and his crew of 5
would die. In the line of duty, he chose the latter. I hope
The Sikh religion has two powerful examples. On Baisaki and pray that these instances of living sacrifices will in-
Day 30/3/1699 an Anandpur Sahib, Guru Govind Singh spire us to do likewise in whatever manner and extent
asked for volunteers who were willing to be beheaded for possible.
the faith. From a crowd of 80,000 just 5 young men
stepped forward, all from the lower castes! Because of Returning to Puzo’s claim that fools die, I quote St Paul.
their living sacrifice they came to be known as the Panch “Where are the philosophers, experts and debaters of
Pyare (five beloved), even to this day. this age? Do you not see how God has shown up human
wisdom as folly? … God’s folly is wiser than human wis-
Even more heart rending is the fate of the two seven- dom … God chose those who by human standards are
year-old sons of Guru Govind Singh. They were Baba fools to shame the wise” (1 Cor 1;20,25,27). “Let no one
Joravar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. The local Mughal take me for a fool, but if you do, then treat me as a fool,
Wazir Khan told them to choose between death and so that I, too, can do a little boasting” (2 Cor 11:16). Dear
conversion to Islam. They unflinchingly chose the former. Puzo, in God’s kingdom, fools of living sacrifices never
They were bricked into a wall with their heads on one die. They live forever.
side and bodies on the other. We cannot even imagine
their excruciating death.
Book Review (Continued from Page 23)
Hindu mythology also has such instances. The deities
In the section on ‘The elixir of life from sea of fire’ the author
needed bones to make a diamond shaped celestial
summarises the sufferings of St. Paul in becoming ‘a living sac-
thunderbolt Vajra for the rain God Indra to defeat Vritras-
rifice’ and how “God churned St. Paul in the sea of fire and
ura, the deity of drought, in the Puranas. Rishi Dadhichi,
made him the bearer of the Gospel of eternal life” (p.233).
through yogic powers, chose self-annihilation so that his
bones could be used for the purpose. I conclude this short review with the words of the author from
the back cover page of the book and recommend this book for
In the Mahabharata, Shibi was a noble king which made further study: “Paul was a firebrand picked up by God for a
both the rain God Indra and the fire God Agni, jealous. nebulous mission. He completed a colossal job during a time of
They decided to test his resilience. When Shibi was sit- great civilizational collapse. During an epoch of uncertainty,
ting out a dove, pursued by a hawk, descended onto his Paul came to the realization that the Crucified One was indeed
lap. The hawk asked for the dove as it was its natural the Immutable Truth. He poured out his life as a libation for the
prey. The king declined as he was the protector of all, eternal Logos who had visited our cosmos. It was the experi-
especially the weakest in his kingdom. The hawk said mentations in the laboratory of Paul's cerebrum that turned the
that it would spare the dove if the king gave him an Judeo-Christian ethics and Greco-Roman civilization into a
equivalent weight of his own flesh. The king agreed and conglomerate called the "Western Civilization." The mind of
placed a piece of his flesh on the scales. But no matter Paul was an academy of ideas, and we the lukewarm, shape-
how much of his flesh he chopped and put, the dove was shifting people of the postmodern world have much to learn
still heavier. Finally, he placed his entire body on the from him. His epistles are read every day, in every church, in
scales which then balanced. It was his supreme sacrifice. every language, in every continent. It is my hope that the sheer
The dove and hawk now transformed into Indra and Agni energy pulsing through Pauline letters will certainly invigorate
us to understand Paul's passion for the Pantocrator.”
who had been testing him. Shibi was now restored to his
former self with even greater virtues. Dr. Zac Varghese, London

20 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Be Transformed, Be Renewed
Mrs. Sheline John Mathew

What does sacrifice mean?

It was a few days before Christmas. The constant no sin” (1John 3:5). Paul also affirmed that Christ “knew
movement – the reality – the anticipation – the unknowns no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21).
and the eagerness. Waiting eagerly for the past few
months and it could be any minute and any day. Finally, Jesus had genuine struggles and temptations, but the
the day arrives, the room is ready, and so is my husband result was always certain. Only a man who resist a temp-
and my mom. My mom-in-law is waiting at home for us tation would understand the full extent off the tempta-
with our 2-year-old son. The Pitocin is having its effects tion. The general view of the world of being a human is
and I am going through the contraction. The bouncing that sin is part of being a human. Is that true? Does that
ball in the room is not helping, squatting is not helping, mean that God created humans that was not pure and
the back rubbing is not helping. I felt the pain of birthing inherently sinful in nature? Of course not. God never
my daughter through every cell of my body. The doctor planned sin to be part of human nature. In fact, God cre-
kept monitoring my blood pressure that at one point ated us humans to be with no sin. So instead of asking
started dropping lower than where it started in the even- the question is Jesus as human as we are, we need to
ing and as per medical science that is not good. The ask the question are we as human as Jesus? All of us are
nurse came in to give me the magic drug to raise the broken and not in the form that God intended us to be.
pressure up. And the trouble started then and there. My True humanity is unadulterated. The intention of humani-
baby is in distress, and the anxious doctor is trying to ty was to stay unadulterated.
handle the situation; a silly mistake by the nurse that
overdosed me with epinephrine caused all the stir. Are we living the life we are created for?

It quickly took a turn downhill. The baby’s heart rate Have you ever heard people quarrelling? Sometimes it
would go down with every contraction I had, that meant, sounds funny and sometimes it is unpleasant. But we
every time my body contracted to push her out, the baby can hear some of the kind of things that they say. When
is choking. The evening soon started getting blurry when your kids are quarreling with each other you either ask
the doctor mentioned c-section. Five minutes later, I am them or hear them saying, “how would you like it if
rolled into an OR with a team of doctors and nurses, to someone did the same to you?” – “I had the remote first”
save my baby. All I wanted was my baby to be alive. I – “leave him alone, he's not hurting you” – “why did you
hear the baby cry, slightly blue, and in distress but the hit him first?" – “come on you promised.” Does not mat-
cry for the first time was a relief in my mind. Suction, ter whether you are educated or uneducated, children or
clean and off she goes into the NICU. The recovery was grown-ups, people say these every day.
a still a struggle, I continue to shake heavily through the
night before the drugs left my body and I got to see my In all these conversations they are not just talking about
daughter face to face. The word sacrifice took a new the behavioral expectations. There is some level of
meaning in my life. I did not care what happened to me, standard behavior that we expect others to know about.
all I wanted was my daughter to live. They always find some sort of reasoning for their actions
to these questions. It almost seems like there is an un-
What is the intention of our human bodies and why spoken set of rules on what is fair, what is decent behav-
did God create us? ior, morality or however you call it that we have agreed.
When we are fighting, we are trying to show that the oth-
God created us in his image (Genesis1:27). God created er person is wrong. The other person had gone out of
both Adam and Eve with no sin. There have been only bounds based on the norms of the rules of decency that
three humans in the entire Bible that has been created are set in society.
and identified to have no sin in them. They are Adam and
Eve before the fall, and Jesus Christ. Was Jesus sinless? Similarly, the underlying law of humanity or the human
Was it possible for him to be tempted the same way as nature was set by Christ. The laws were set in the Old
we are? In Hebrews 4:15 it says Jesus as a high priest Testament, but Christ reestablished the laws in the New
holy blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalt- Testament. In St. Paul’s letter to Romans, we see the
ed about the heavens (7:26) and as “without blemish” following – there is a call to repent, call to believe in
(9:14). Peter who loved Jesus declared Jesus to be “the Christ, call to be of living sacrifice, a call to being trans-
holy son of God” and taught that Jesus “committed no formed, a call to being holy, and a call to leave the prac-
sin; no guile was found on his lips” (1 Peter 2:22). Apos- tices of this world.
tle John said, “in him there is

21 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

What does it take to change, and change with a pur- “what to do”. Do not conform to the patterns of this
pose? world. But do be transformed by renewing your mind.
What you can do is not conform to the patterns of this
When you read the book of Romans, you must read the world. What we cannot do is transform ourselves. But he
first 11 chapters to understand chapter 12. It tells us that gives us routines and channels through which we can
there is no one declared righteous in God’s sight by the transform. If we are transformed, what we will come to
works of the law; rather through the law we become con- know is God’s will. Vs. 2 asks us 3 powerful questions to
scious of our sin (3:20). Everyone has fallen short of the have a renewed spirit.
glory of God. The righteousness is given to us through
faith in Jesus Christ to all those who believe. We are 1. What are the patterns of this world?
therefore buried with him through baptism into that in 2. Are you conforming to that?
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead 3. What does it mean to renew your mind?
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new
life. (6:4). So do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an Be transformed, be renewed
instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourself to
God as those who have been brought from death to life; How do you renew your mind? This is what we are doing
and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of this second to renew our mind. We are spending time
righteousness. (6:13). reading and learning God’s word. Spend time in meditat-
ing his word so that God’s truth is more illuminated in our
In the book, it continues to talk about what life means life. Then we start seeing the patterns of the world more
through the spirit. In Romans 8:14, it says for those who clearly. All of us are living in a pattern of the world right
are led by the spirit of God are the children of God. For it now, including me. One of the patterns that we see is
is through mercy that we are being saved. So, we need living in fear, living in shame, living in not spending
to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and that is true enough time with the word, pattern of feeling bitterness,
and proper worship (Romans 12:1). pattern of feeling angry and many more. We are called to
understand the patterns of the world and examine our-
Paul is writing to Romans and the entire Gentile commu- selves if we are conforming to these patterns.
nity to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice. What does it
mean to be a living sacrifice? As I was giving birth to my Do not be overcome with evil but overcome it with good.
daughter, I clearly knew I was ready to lose myself. Same What does this mean? Are we renting any space in our
way, sacrifice is being ready to give up something that is life for doing good. Are we confining ourselves in our
dear and precious to us. But Paul is asking people to home and just going through life in a daily pattern and
offer their bodies as a living sacrifice. It means to offer just showing up at church, for the sake of it? Is that our
our body through which Christ’s works are shown. We pattern? Are we conforming to the pattern of isolation?
are a new creation, and the old self is lost, and we are Are we volunteering any of our time to be engaged with
renewed. Ephesians 2:10 says, we are his workmanship real people? In engaging and being involved with other
created in Christ Jesus, for good works that God pre- people? In what capacity are you supporting others in
pared beforehand for us to do. your life?

My job is to transform the way the others work. The title Concluding the thoughts here - I would like each of us to
of my job says, ‘Business Transformation.’ What does ask a few questions to ourselves about offering our bod-
that mean? I must understand the way our people are ies as a living sacrifice.
working currently and running the business. For that, I
need to examine and work closely to map out every sin- 1. What does sacrifice mean to me?
gle step that is taken to achieve a task and how it leads 2. What does serving look like to me?
to bringing the revenue. Then I need to identify what are
the pain points that need to be changed in order to make Sacrifice to me looks like the time that I give to others,
the people’s job a better experience than what is today. the time I give to my family, a loved one listening to their
In the past 7 years, I have realized the truly transforming struggles, listening to the thoughts of your siblings when
the way people work; the people I am working with need they feel confused, financial needs of a family member
to have a changed mindset. People need to be open to when they are going through a big financial crisis. All of
change and pivot from the way they have run their busi- this is real for me.
ness so far and be ready to adopt the new ways of run-
ning the business. I can give them the channels through When we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, we serve
which they can transform the ways they work, but they others. Serving should mean giving diligently and giving
must be ready to accept that as well and be open- cheerfully. One of my close family members has been
hearted to the changes proposed. estranged for many reasons over many years. We lately
learned that they were going through a financial crisis
Romans 12:2 tells us what it means to offering as a living that was beyond my limits, but stepping up to help in a
sacrifice. It gives us a CLEAR “do not” and a CLEAR way that we can help. I received a call on Saturday

22 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

morning from India from the same family thanking me, blance of sanity in an unmoored insane world. I have
and I knew God was transforming me through this expe- written before, but I write at this epoch in my life to stay
rience. afloat” (p.14).
Serving also means loving sincerely, especially when bit-
terness overcomes our hearts, we need to overcome it He has authored five books before on various topics of
with love. Through all of these, we overcome the patterns theology, metaphysics, and philosophy. As a seeker of
of the world, live a life holy and pleasing to God – with truth, he has found gold nuggets in the life and writings
this we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is of St. Paul, which he is sharing for the benefit of others in
– his good, pleasing, and perfect will. this book. I invite you to join in this spiritual journey.

Mrs. Sheline John Mathew is a Where do we begin this journey? I suggest you begin this
member of the St Thomas Mar journey at the end of this book (p.237-240). ‘The end is
Thoma Church, Houston, Texas. beginning.’ “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who
Sheline and her husband, Jathesh lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
are active members of the parish, the son of God” (Gal 2:20).
and live in north Houston with their
three children. Sheline and Jathesh ‘Pantocrator’ in the title of this book is an Eastern Ortho-
are engineers by profession and dox iconographical concept in Greek for omnipotent cre-
working in the energy sector. ator of all. This book has no chapters; it has 213 sub-
titles, which make you wonder what they are about, and
Book Review what you are about to see and experience is in a guided-
tour. I am happy to invite you to join the author in this
‘PAUL'S PASSION FOR THE PANTOCRATOR,’ by Dr. journey.
Jacob C. Tony, Xulon Press, Maitland, Florida, June
2023, Pp XViii+240. £13.50. ISBN-13-978-166287-815-2, The book delas with the following questions in various
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek situations of life; “Who was Paul? What were his creden-
and you will find; knock and the door tials? Who is he that we should listen to him? Does he
will be opened to you. For everyone matter at all in the great global village culture of our
who asks receives; the one who
time?” (p.1). Many other questions are explored in this
seeks finds; and to the one who
book such as, “Was he a Jew or a Greek? Was he an
knocks, the door will be opened” (Mt
7: 7-8). activist or a mystic? Did Paul simply Romanize Judaism?
Did he Hellenize Christianity? Was Paul a “riddle
The author of this book, Jacob C. wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma?” (p.33). The
Tony, MBBS, MD, MRCP (UK), author brings answer to these questions through various
MRCP (Ireland), is a practicing neu- theologians, thinkers, writers and his own analysis and
rologist residing in Peoria, Illinois, USA. He, like St. Paul lived experiences.
has the benefit of the exposure to different cultures in
After the Damascus Road revelations, Paul was blessed
different continents (p.11). The idea of writing this book
with an ‘in Christ’ life (Christ in Paul, Paul in Christ p. 40).
originated from his chance meeting of a Ukrainian Semi-
Paul used this phrase 164 times in his epistles. To be “in
narian during his visit to Rome in 2014 with his wife. This
Christ” is to find personal fulfilment, and to experience a
idea again sprouted while visiting the ‘Ukrainian village of
radical transformation. Only then one can become the
Chicago’ (p. 4). The author gives occasional references
salt and light for sharing the good news with others,
to his identity and his background here and there as a
making an impact on society, which St. Paul did as the
member of an ancient St. Thomas Syrian Christian Cath-
12th apostles and specially as an apostle for the Gentiles.
olic family with very strong attachment to Jacobite Syrian
In short, Paul’s story is about the transformation of Saul,
Church through his mother’s and wife’s families (p. 11;
a zealous prosecutor of early Jesus-followers, to becom-
17; 27; 182-184).
ing a Jesus-follower himself and encouraging others to
It is good to introduce this erudite writer with his confes- follow the ‘Way’ of Jesus. Paul’s three missionary jour-
sion: “I am not a writer, but a flaneur or a walking ob- neys and its impacts on the development Christianity is
server, who records what he observes and jots down the described well through the three travel maps in pages 96
epiphanies of thoughts as it occurs spontaneously. Am I to 203.
a restless philosopher, an unsettled thinker, a wired-up
The author has great respect for Pope Benedict XVI and
Bohemian, or a Neurologist with hyper-mentation? I do
his contributions in rescuing the author’s much loved
not know. . . I get a mental respite when I read and write
Catholic Church ‘from the billows of modernism and
about St. Paul. It is not a measure of my erudition or
‘Post-Modernism’ (p.214; 216-217; 221-223).
sanctity, but a pragmatic way to maintain some sem-
(Continued on page 20)

23 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Back to the Future
Mr. Shaun Joykutty

“Why, you are a morally self-righteous individual!” I was that the automated spiritual message was for the after-
on the verge of expressing that your disheveled shroud life, i.e., what our spiritual bodies would consist of.
of existential existence is pitiable. “Your discourse has a That’s all fine; however, the question persists, "How can I
superficial and sincere tone, although the concealed ma- influence or navigate my current state of sacrifice?" Fur-
levolence within your demeanor unveils a perilous sick- thermore, one may inquire, "What will be the appropriate
ness.” “Your snide earmarks of resentfulness should wal- impact of this sacrifice on both myself and others?" One
low in the trenchant abyss of madness.” day, I sat on my bed, contemplating cultivating a sus-
tained self-awareness. One can perceive this as an un-
Well, enough of my morning affirmations. Time to start a conventional notion. However, allow me to elucidate the
new day. Well, hello, and welcome to a new rabbit hole rationale behind my statement.
of understanding. For those who follow me, thanks for
your curiosity. The proffered theme was to instigate a I became tired of the experience of merely observing and
conversation about how to “Be a Living Sacrifice.” Let experiencing circumstances and feelings without actively
me save you all some time and come to the punch line: engaging with them. I became exhausted by the tenden-
To foster resilience and facilitate personal development, cy to adopt mechanistic behaviors and cognitive pat-
individuals must prioritize cultivating their higher self over terns, as my responses were predominantly reactive ra-
their lower self, necessitating certain sacrifices. Pursuing ther than proactive.
transformation is crucial for individuals to navigate their
well-being and adjust positively and effectively. Further- Consequently, I inevitably asked myself, "What part of
more, it is imperative for individuals to actively participate me needs to die to be more proactive?". “What portion
in the social contract, which plays a crucial role in culti- of myself do I surrender/sacrifice?”. This is a mental ex-
vating a harmonious and united community. ercise, thought its applicability is astounding.
The strategy is to give it up or sacrifice it in abstrac-
If you are OK with that thesis, you can stay and enjoy the tion so that I do not act out the actual pathology and
rest of the programming; if not, thanks again. But, if you nothing dies in reality.1
found the above engaging, let me unpack the former
thought exercise. Recently, we had the opportunity to view the film "The
Flash."2 The outcome surpassed our initial expectations
to a certain degree. The concept of the multiverse is in-
troduced, leading to several perplexing scenarios that
caution against tampering with the past due to the po-
tential complications it may create for the future. Never-
theless, while lacking the element of fantasy, we can dis-
rupt our current trajectory towards the end.

Allow me to expound: Through the cognitive process of

thinking, individuals can generate a mental depiction of
their own identity or several descriptions thereof. Subse-
quently, an analysis can be conducted to determine the
particular iteration of self that will either experience fail-
ure or achieve success. Later, we can exclude those in-
Like many Marthomite adolescents, I grew up listening to stances in which we encounter failure and embrace
many Biblical stories and their related moral tangents. those in which we achieve success. The subsequent
Pastors, Achens, Thirumenis, New and Old generation phase entails analyzing our present well-being and delib-
Conference speakers, reformed bad boys, rehabilitated erating about the aspects that can be relinquished to
pernicious aunties, and various speakers in between facilitate our transition toward a desired future character-
provided a gamut of Western and Eastern Christian reli- ized by success. As previously stated, it is imperative to
gious thought for me, and I am forever grateful for the prioritize the development of one's higher self over one's
good and the not-so-good. lower self, which may require making certain compro-
mises.
However, from the normal distribution of Christian lectur-
ers, I rarely heard a proactive message that mined prac- In my perspective, the concept of "Being a living sacri-
tically for the future and its associated sacrificial re- fice" entails enhancing future outcomes through our dili-
quirements. If speakers broached this topic, they guaran- gent and selfless efforts, meaning let us eliminate the
teed factors that render us feeble and worthless in the eyes of
the Lord. However, it is essential to acknowledge that

24 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

verbalizing and reflecting on a concept may appear Reflections on Late E. J. George Achen
straightforward, while implementing it presents a distinct Mrs. Dr. Justeena Jess George (Contd. from page 13)
and complex challenge.
He prayed much for the Church, to know the extent of the
What is the rationale behind this request? The challenges Power of the Gospel and to know what Christ had saved us
of existence and our inherent limitations contribute to from.
malice in the world. However, can we morally defend our
decision to deviate from pursuing excellence (or attaining Some Lessons E. J. George Achen taught us through his Life
the Kingdom of Heaven)? This is not the case. The po- *He reminded us over and over this is not our home. We are
living for an unseen world, for a King whose values are the ex-
tential outcome of inaction is a state of severe suffering,
act opposite of this world.
akin to an infernal existence, wherein we remain im-
mersed in our state of decline or being in hell. *Achen sought the honor and the audience of the ONE-
he wanted others to know the Lord and to be known by the
Lord.

*Achen was completely humble, he sought to love even those

who disagreed with him.

He denied himself completely and never sought to make a

name.

*Achen never held onto offense at anyone. Over the countless

conversations we have had with him, I have never heard words
So, isn’t this what Paul has written in Ephesians 4:22-24, of bitterness or offense against anyone.
“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the
old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful *Achen loved people dearly. Any person he met, he would hold
lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that their hands, ask them about their troubles, and pray for them.
you put on the new man which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness.” He would take down their birthday and anniversary dates and
pretty soon you would see a postcard wishing you on your
special day! I don't think any person in Kerala ever wrote even
The importance of this activity or development was cru- close to the number of letters and postcards Achen wrote.
cial for me. Upon recognizing my cognitive constraints,
specifically my susceptibility to desire, gluttony, greed, *Achen gave up all his time to seek others.
sloth, wrath, jealousy, and pride, I developed a height-
ened understanding of suffering and the things I must *Achen was on fire for the Gospel even till the very end.
sacrifice. Upon recognizing the mechanisms underlying
the generation of these emotions, I became aware of my *Achen did not use a smartphone, no Facebook, WhatsApp,
potential to elicit similar emotional responses in others, but he constantly lived facing the Book and he spoke the lan-
guage of love with all whom he met.
which is dangerous.3
*Achen reminded us over and over to work while it was still day.
When one comprehends human frailty, one understands The night is soon coming when no man can work. He often
the possibility of weaponizing individuals against others. said- it’s not the yester days that are glorious but today. The
You must therefore sacrifice these internal demons and Lord is working glorious things in the present. So do not dwell
keep them at bay, or you risk damning yourself and your in the past.
Christian brother or sister.
All this and the impact that Achen had for the sake of the Gos-
References pel cannot be known till that Day!
1. Popper, Karl. “Logic of Scientific Discovery.”
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/popper/. First pub- I can’t imagine the kind of ‘Welcome Home’ message that you
lished Thu Nov 13, 1997; substantive revision Mon Sep must have received.
12, 2022.
2. Muschietti, A. (Director). (2023) The Flash [Motion Pic- Achen on the day you left us on this side of Eternity. And
ture]. United States: Warner Brothers though our hearts ache, we as a Church are grateful to the Lord
3. Jordan B. Peterson, “12 Rules for Life”, (Canada: Ran- for you and for your testimony!!
dom House, 2018), pgs. 174-175.
As CS Lewis said: "If you read history, you will find that the Christians
who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought
Shaun Joykutty works as a program ex- most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of
pert for the US Department of Labor in the other world that they have become so ineffective in this."
Washington DC. Shaun and family are
Achen you always had Eternity and the Cross ever before you and you
members of the Immanuel Mar Thoma set a Blessed example for us!
Church, Virginia.
You will be Dearly missed our Dearest E J George Achen!

25 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Be a Living Sacrifice: The Call
Dr. Cherian Samuel

Introduction. In his epistle to the church in Rome, Apos- Corinthians, Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to sing and
tle Paul admonishes believers to sacrifice themselves to make melody in their hearts “to the Lord” (Ephesians
God, leading lives that are holy and pleasing to Him 5:19, 1 Corinthians 14:26) and records the Maranatha
(Romans 12:1). This essay explores Apostle Paul’s call prayer, “Lord, come back” (1 Corinthians 16:22), con-
for sacrificial living, based on the Book of Acts and the sistent with the evidence that the Early Church wor-
Epistles. The essay is divided into two sections: the first shipped Jesus as Lord and prayed to Him, pleading with
section considers the Apostle’s life as an example of Him to return.
sacrificial living; the second section concludes the essay
and offers reflections. Post-Conversion Life. As elaborated in the epistle to
Galatians, Saul’s immediate response following his con-
Saul’s Conversion. The first biblical references to Apos- version was not to consult any human being, but go to
tle Paul—by his Hebrew name, Saul—are found in the Arabia—Kingdom of Nabatea (2 Corinthians 11:32)—
Book of Acts (Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1), that show his active where he received the Gospel by revelation from the
participation in the seizing and stoning of Stephen, the Lord and returned to Damascus (Galatians 1:12-17). Saul
first Christian martyr. As noted in Bible Teacher John started preaching in the Damascus synagogues, testify-
MacArthur’s sweeping 2017 study of Paul’s proclamation ing Jesus as the son of God, growing more powerful,
of the Gospel—the good news that Jesus is the Messiah baffling the Jews by proving that Jesus is the Messiah
(Acts 5:47)—Saul of Tarsus was truly unique: Jew by (Acts 9:20-22). In response, the Damascus Jews hatched
birth, Pharisee by conviction, Roman by citizenship, and a plot to kill Saul, watching the city gates day and night.
Greek by education. Saul was also a student of Gamaliel, Saul learned of the conspiracy and escaped, thanks to
the most honored and influential rabbi of early first- his followers lowering him in a basket through an open-
century Jerusalem and an esteemed member of the San- ing in the city wall at night.
hedrin, Judaism’s highest ruling council of religious af-
fairs with seventy-one elite priests and scholars. The epistle to Galatians also records that Saul came to
Jerusalem three years after his conversion (Galatians
As elaborated in his epistle to the churches in Galatia, 1:18), but faced resistance when he tried to join the dis-
Apostle Paul was extremely zealous for the traditions of ciples, since they were afraid of him, not trusting that he
Judaism, advancing beyond his contemporaries, and was really a believer (Acts 9:26), given his earlier record
intensely persecuting the Early Church, trying to destroy as a persecutor. However, God raised Barnabas as a
it (Galatians 1:13). As noted in his testimony before King champion of Saul, who brought him to the Apostles,
Agrippa, Saul was so obsessed with persecuting Chris- sharing the story of Saul’s miraculous conversion and his
tians that he hunted them in foreign cities (Acts 26:11). bold Gospel preaching in Damascus.
Saul traveled to Damascus (Syria), with the authority and
commission of the chief priests, to seek out believers Saul stayed with the Apostles in Jerusalem, speaking in
and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. the name of Lord Jesus, and debating with Hellenistic
Jews. Following threats to Saul’s life from Jews, believ-
However, Saul had a dramatic encounter with the risen ers took him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus, his
Lord on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-19), with a light hometown. However, Paul writes in the epistle to Gala-
from heaven, brighter than the sun, flashing around him. tians that he went to Jerusalem to get acquainted with
Saul was blind for three days, not eating or drinking any- Cephas/Peter, staying with him for fifteen days, but met
thing, until his sight was restored by Ananias, a disciple none of the other disciples, except James, the Lord’s
in Damascus, who was instructed by the Lord in a vision brother (Galatians 1: 18-20). Apostle Paul also records a
to lay hands on him. The Lord appointed Paul as the follow-up visit for the Jerusalem Council discussions,
Apostle to the Gentiles, to open their eyes and turn them fourteen years after the first visit, referencing James, Pe-
from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to ter, and John as pillars of the Church (Galatians 2:9).
God (Acts 26:18).
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14, CE 48). As the
In his insightful 2005 study on the history of Christianity Church grew and spread outside Jerusalem, Barnabas
in the first twenty years, Bishop Paul Barnett—a distin- and Saul ministered together for a year in Antioch (Acts
guished scholar on Early Christianity—has concluded 11: 25-30). The first missionary journey was ordained
that Saul’s conversion took place in Common Era (CE) following a period of worship and fasting in the Antiochi-
34, one year after Jesus’s resurrection, making Saul an an church—as the Holy Spirit commissioned Paul and
early convert to Christianity. Therefore, the risen Lord’s Barnabas for a Gospel mission—with John Mark as the
appearance to Paul on the Damascus road followed helper. The first missionary journey covered the following
closely His appearance to other apostles and believers (1 places: Syrian Antioch, Seleucia, Salamis, Paphos, Per-
Corinthians 15:5-8). In his epistles to the Ephesians and ga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe. Paul and

26 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Barnabus proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus as the Messi- not made of gold, silver, or stone and did not originate
ah boldly and fearlessly, performing signs and wonders, from the imagination of man. Paul also went to Corinth,
but provoking resistance and opposition from Jews. In meeting Priscilla and Aquila, staying for a year and a half
particular, the Jews in Pisidian Antioch stirred up perse- with Silas and Timothy, preaching, gaining converts, and
cution, expelling the missionaries. Though Paul and Bar- reasoning with those who rejected the Gospel. After-
nabas enjoyed great evangelical success in Lystra, they wards, Paul stayed in Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila,
faced opposition from unbelieving Jews of Antioch and traveled to Caesarea, greeted the church in Jerusalem,
Iconium, who stirred up the crowds, stoning Paul and and returned to Antioch, completing the second mission-
dragging him outside the city, leaving him for dead. Mi- ary journey.
raculously, Paul got up and went back into the city, when
the disciples gathered around him. During the first mis- Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18-21, CE 53-57). Dur-
sionary journey, Mark left prematurely for Jerusalem from ing the third missionary journey, Apostle Paul ministered
Perga, which became the source of major disagreement to many of the churches established during the first two
between Paul and Barnabas, leading to separation (Acts missionary journeys, and established new churches. The
15:36-41), an unexpected outcome since Barnabas was third missionary journey covered the following places:
Paul’s post-conversion mentor and advocate. However, Syrian Antioch, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch,
Paul and Mark seem to have reconciled later, with Paul Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Thessa-
referring to Mark as helpful in his ministry (2 Timothy lonica, Troas, Miletus, Caesarea and Jerusalem.
4:12).
During the third missionary journey, Apostle Paul spent
Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15-18, CE 49-53). two years in Ephesus, preaching daily to Jews and
Following the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council (Acts Greeks. Notwithstanding the opposition in Ephesus, the
15), Paul proposed a second missionary journey with Holy Spirit worked mightily through Paul, with people
Barnabas, for returning to the cities and churches of the healed and evil spirits expelled, and many former magi-
first missionary journey. However, following differences cians burning their magic arts books. As Paul neared the
over Mark, Paul, and Barnabas parted company. Barna- end of his stay in Ephesus, Demetrius, a silversmith who
bas took Mark and left for Cyprus, while Paul took Silas made shrines of Artemis and resented the decline in
for his second missionary journey. business following Paul’s arrival, started a riot with other
workmen, though the town clerk dispersed the crowd.
The second missionary journey covered the following
places: Antioch, Derbe, Lystra, Troas, Samothrace, Nea- While the Apostle was at Troas, he raised a young man,
polis, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Eutychus, from the dead, who had sat on a windowsill of
Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem. During the second mis- a third-story room and fallen asleep and fell to the
sionary journey, Timothy and Luke joined Paul and Silas ground, when Paul had preached long into the night. Af-
as ministry partners. The second missionary journey also ter raising Eutychus from the dead, Paul celebrated
marked the preaching of the Gospel in Europe, with Lyd- communion with the believers, and resumed speaking
ia—a businesswoman from Philippi—becoming the very until daylight. The Apostle met with the Ephesian elders
first Christian convert. During their ministry at Philippi, at Miletus, bidding them an emotional farewell. Though
Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, flogged, and the disciples in Tyre begged Paul not to travel to Jerusa-
thrown into prison by the authorities, with feet placed in lem for his own sake, he continued the mission to Jeru-
stocks. However, a providential earthquake around mid- salem through Caesarea—where the prophet Agabus
night—as Paul and Silas were praying and singing declared that Paul would be imprisoned if he went to Je-
hymns—shook the prison, opening the prison doors and rusalem—and completed the third missionary journey.
loosening the chains of all the prisoners, and leading to
the jailor and his family believing in Jesus and getting Evidence in Epistles. In addition to the missionary jour-
baptized. ney difficulties chronicled in the Book of Acts, Apostle
Paul faced other challenges that are recorded in the
Paul, Silas, and Timothy also experienced opposition Epistles. In particular, the second epistle to Corinthians
from Jewish men in Thessalonica, who incited a mob lists the following difficulties: exposed to death repeated-
that accused Paul and Silas of promoting another King ly; received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews five
besides Caesar, and turning “the world upside down” times; beaten with rods three times; pelted with stones
(Acts 17:6), dragging the missionaries’ host, Jason, to once; shipwrecked three times; spent a night and a day
the authorities, since Paul and Silas had escaped to Be- in the open sea; in danger from rivers, bandits, fellow
rea. Though the Berean Jews were more accepting of Jews, Gentiles, false believers; in danger in the city,
Paul’s message, the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica country, at sea; labored and toiled, often going without
followed Paul to Berea, stirring up the crowds, forcing sleep; known hunger and thirst, often going without food;
the Christians to send Paul to Athens, while Silas and cold and naked (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Last, but not
Timothy remained behind. The second missionary jour- least, Apostle Paul also experienced constant pressure
ney also marked Apostle Paul speaking to philosophers from concerns for the Church and threats from false
at the Areopagus in Athens, teaching that the true God is teachers, Judaizers, and Gnosticism.

27 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Martyrdom. The Book of Acts ends with Apostle Paul’s
first imprisonment in Rome, following his first set of trials.
A Tribute to Late Revd E. J.
However, the Epistles show that Paul was imprisoned a George – A Priest with Missionary
second time in Rome. In his very final epistle of 2 Timo-
thy, Apostle Paul refers to his first trial ending favorably. Concerns Par Excellence
During his second Roman imprisonment, Paul wrote, Revd Dr. K. V. Simon
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,
and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the Revd E. J. George’s (95 years) long
life will be remembered as a shep-
good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
herded who cared for the less privi-
(2 Timothy 4:6-7). During this time, while Luke and leged, as a great missionary priest,
Onesimus cared for Apostle Paul, others abandoned him. and finally as a priest with a versatile
The Roman emperor, Nero (CE 54-68), instigated a grue- genius. Achen was called to eternity
some persecution of Christians in Rome at the time and, on Aug. 30, 2023 and the funeral
as per tradition, Paul was beheaded in CE 64. at Nero’s nd
was held on 2 September, 2023 at
order. Anchery Christos Mar Thoma
Church. May Achen’s soul rest in
Conclusions. Apostle Paul was unique, different from peace and rise in glory.
the twelve disciples, used by the Lord for proclaiming the
Gospel to the Gentiles primarily. Paul became the first A shepherd who cared for the less privileged
extant Christian theological writer—with his epistles writ-
ten less than twenty years after Jesus’s earthly ministry, Achen’s motto was salvation to all and a better life for each. His
1 Thessalonians written from Corinth circa 50, Galatians pastoral ministry was to all, there was no restriction. He
written from Antioch circa 48—with an advanced and stretched his benevolent hand to the needy irrespective of reli-
developed Christology as any in the New Testament. gion, caste, or creed. He adopted four destitute children, gave
Paul’s epistles also provide compelling eyewitness testi- them better care, good education. They grew along with
Achen’s children without any discrimination. One of them be-
monies from early Christian believers who had seen the
came a priest of the Mar Thoma Church thirty years ago.
risen Lord personally.
A Missionary Priest
Through his missionary journeys and other evangelical
outreach, Apostle Paul’s life truly exemplified sacrificial His aim was salvation to all. He was interested in personal
living, a life holy and pleasing to God, fighting the good evangelism. He wanted to win every person for Christ. It is
fight, finishing the race, keeping the faith. The Apostle’s Achen’s vision to start personal evangelism programme in the
life and ministry was fully consistent with the Lord’s pro- great Maramon Convention. He served as a missionary priest
nouncement at Saul’s conversion that he must suffer for many years in Hoskote mission (Karnataka) and Kochamma
served as a missionary doctor there. He was also a missionary
much for proclaiming the Gospel (Acts 9:16).
in South Travancore, and also at Vapi-Khariar Road also. He
was the founding Director of Malayalapuzha De-addiction Cen-
Most providentially, God used Gamaliel—eminent rabbi and tre (Pathanamthitta District). The Bible says, every priest or
Paul’s teacher—during his address to the Jerusalem San- bishop is primarily an evangelist in vocation. Achen has taken
hedrin to declare that the Early Church will fail if their pur- this as a vow in his ministry till the end of his life.
pose was of human origin; that the Sanhedrin will not be
able to stop the Church if it is from God, and will only be A Priest with a versatile genius
fighting God (Acts 5:34-39). The current growth and vitality
of the Global Church, from its modest origins in Jerusa- In his brain chips he has stored the birthdays of great leaders of
lem—led by unschooled, ordinary men like Peter and John, the Nation, Church leaders, and important milestones of
but who were with Jesus, displaying astonishing courage Church history. He could recollect the birthdays and wedding
(Acts 4:13)—has indeed been a great miracle. anniversaries of each and every person he came into contact,
and used to wish them or send them a post card with wishes
References and a Bible verse or a quotation of great personalities.
1. “The Gospel According to Paul: Embracing the Good News
at the Heart of Paul's Teachings,” John MacArthur, 2017, He used to meet each and every person on the highways and
Thomas Nelson. byways holding on to the person’s hand with a great affection
2. “The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years,” Paul Bar- in the heart, enquiring every event in his life and close the con-
nett, 2003, William E, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand versation with a prayer. The person will never forget Achen in
Rapids. his life. The personal touch of Achen was a great witness that a
3. “Be the Gospel of Christ”, FOCUS, April 2021, Vol. 9(2). huge crowd assembled at the funeral service of Achen.
https://www.scribd.com/document/499881336/Focus-April-
2021 Achen’s family was a family of God’s choice. This signifies that
his younger brother Rt. Revd Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffra-
gan Metropolitan is a Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church. Let us
offer our condolences to Thirumeni and other members of
Achen’s family.

28 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

 JMJ
Living In Harmony
Fr. Thomas Punnapadam, SDB
ly of God, with God as Abba. Though accused of blas-
The world we live in is indeed a complex, multifaceted pheming, (Jn 8/31-35), he repeatedly calls God his father
world. Simplistic one-word descriptions can be decep- and taught his disciples to do so. Jesus talks of the Fa-
tive. Nevertheless, they can contribute in some way to ther numerous times in the Gospels of Mathew, Mark
understand our world and make it a better place to live and Luke. In the Gospel according to John, Jesus men-
in. tions the Father more than thirty times during the Last
Supper alone. So, Jesus enlightens us that the core rela-
One of the widely accepted perceptions of our world is tionship is based on our core identity as children of God,
that we live in a tremendously divided world. The basis of created in divine image and likeness. God’s universal
divisions is numerous; to name a few – geography, cul- parenthood is firmly reiterated and the only parent figure
ture, language, political ideology, culture, The greatest allowed is God. Call no man on earth your father, as-
misfortune is that religion too has to be added to the list. serts Jesus (Mt 23/8-12). We are all children of the same
Tragic indeed that religion which is meant to unite people Father, siblings; it means that we are bonded to one an-
seems to cause the greatest most painful divisions and other at the most basic, immutable level. The secret of a
conflicts. Mahatma Gandhi was right when he said dec- truly joyous life is to choose is to live this relationship
ades ago that the most number of wars in the history of consciously and fruitfully. This is the truth every human
the world were fought in the name of religion. Even the being, society, nation and the whole world needs to be-
current world scenario is undeniable proof of this. come aware of and promote. One’s place of origin, skin
colour, the grammatical language one speaks, one’s tal-
Harmony and unity are the lifeline of human existence. ents and socio-economic background are all insignificant
Human life begins with the union of persons. The mo- in human relationships, just as in a truly loving united
ment one is born one is united to many others by a num- family.
ber of bonds – as a child or grandchild, as a sibling, a
nephew or niece, member of a clan, a tribe, a religious Jesus lived this reality of the Kingdom community. Jesus
group, and a citizen of a country. Growth in human de- is well known as the boundary breaker. He broke all
velopment means deepening and widening relationships, boundaries; those established by marriage and blood
with friends, teachers, neighbours, peers, business part- relationships, those imposed by social taboos and re-
ners, colleagues. The wider, the deeper and the more strictions and most of all struck down religious hierar-
lasting the relationships, the more meaningful, peaceful chical structures.
and joyful life becomes. It is the source of greatest wis-
dom to be enlightened that the greatest obstacle to hu- Jesus founded the Kingdom Community, which is the
man life and development is division and separation family of God. The term ‘church’ does not occur in many
which lead to competition and conflict and ultimately books of the New Testament. In contrast the kingdom of
ends up in mutual destruction. God/heaven occurs over a hundred times in the Gospels,
over ninety times on the lips of Jesus himself.
Though every religion acknowledges the fundamental
and universal truth of human oneness, Christianity has In this community new economic relationships are lived
proclaimed it ever more emphatically. In the Old Testa- out. One’s economic background is neither a credential
ment, the Covenant is the immutable foundation of the nor a disqualification for entry into this community. Pri-
existence of Israel. The Covenant establishes a commu- vate Property and money are not central to this commu-
nity of people under the Lordship of the all-loving God. nity. The disciples readily and definitively rupture the
The core of the mission of Jesus was to establish the bonds of private property (Mk 1/17-20; Mt 10/7-10; Lk
Kingdom Community under the fatherhood of God. The 9/1-6). Jesus believes that love, generosity in sharing,
Kingdom of God which Jesus came to usher in and lead would ‘buy’ more and meet the needs of all than money
us to, is nothing but an ever-deepening experience of the (Mt14/13-28; Mk.6/34-44; Lk 9/11-17; Jn 6/5-13). The
fatherhood of God and in consequence, all humans living widow’s mite seems to devalue the money economy
as children, brothers, and sisters to one another. Unfor- (Mk12/43-44). The exchange value of the coin put in
tunately, man-made rituals and blind dogmas have been does not seem to count for much.
over emphasized to the extent that basic truths have
been totally forgotten and even regretted. The human relationships in this community are free of all
social boundaries and discriminations. Even the natural
The Gospels are unanimous in affirming that Jesus family ties of the marriage bond and blood relationships
founded a community of people transcending all social, are transcended (Mt 10/37,38; Lk 14/26;). Jesus unites
economic, religious and cultural boundaries. Jesus came us into the universal family (Mt 12/46-50; Mk 3/31-35; Lk
to establish the Kingdom Community, the universal fami- 8/19-21; 11/27,28; Jesus distances himself from his own

29 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

mother (Jn 2/4; 19/26-27; Lk 2/49. This community was munity. This bond is never static but deepens all the
free of social discriminations of every kind; tax collectors time. Parent metaphors are evident in the Bible.
and prostitutes, untouchables and sinners were part of
this (Lk 15/1-2; Mt 9/9- 10). The repeated Gospel speci- Human beings have various identities, springing from
fication that Jesus ‘touched’ the lepers is highly signifi- diverse relationships. While every identity adds to the
cant (Mt 8/3; Lk 5/13; Mk 1/41;). Most notably, this wealth of the human personality, it must never be forgot-
ten that most identities are not necessarily lifelong and
community admits of no gender discrimination. It includ-
what is more significant, that most identities tend to sep-
ed a number of women Jesus healed. They travelled with
arate us from other individuals and groups. Separation
him sharing their financial resources with the all closely also leads to division, competition and finally mutual de-
associated with Jesus. (Mk 15/40-41). It included not struction.
just the twelve apostles, but women of all social classes
(Lk 8/1-3). The font and summit of Kingdom society is Discovering ever more deeply one’s core, universal, im-
the parable of the Good Samaritan, which challenges us mutable identity, leads to greater serenity in one’s life
become a neighbour to everyone by recognizing God in and ever widening, deeper relationships. The core iden-
the most needy persons and not turning away from them. tity of human being is the inherent inalienable dignity of
(Lk 10/29-37). every human person, as the United Nations Declaration
on Human Rights puts it. In Christian terminology, every
In the Kingdom community all religious relationship is human being independent of all other factors, is a child
transformed; and religious hierarchy ceases to exist; reli- of God, created in divine image and likeness. E must
gious hypocrisy is condemned; religious egoism and elit- learn to accept and relate to everyone with this aware-
ism destroyed; religious power/dominance is abolished ness.
(Mt 23/ 1-12). St. Paul exhorts us to do good to all, espe-
cially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal Fr. Thomas Punnapadom, SDB belongs to Salesians of
6/10). He reminds the Ephesians: You are no longer Don Bosco of the Sacred Heart Province of Bangalore.
strangers or sojourners but fellow citizens, with the saints The Salesians live in imitation of the compassionate love
and members of the household of God (Eph 2/19), and of the Sacred Heart, commit themselves to the integral
the family of the Lord (I Cor 4/14-15) and inclusive development of the youth, especially the
poor and the marginalized, and the other disadvantaged
The early Church was faithful to follow the way of Jesus sections of society, in collaboration with all those who
and was concerned primarily with living in harmony. The strive for the realization of a new society based on the
Acts of the Apostles describes the first community as Values of the Kingdom of God.
follows: Now the company of those who believed were of
one and heart and soul (Acts 4/32). This style of life and NEW MAR THOMA CHURCH BISHOP
mutual harmony had incredible influence on the society
in general. Not surprisingly the Christians are accused of DESIGNATES WITH METROPOLITAN
turning the world upside down (Acts 17/6). Incredibly all AND OTHER BISHOPS
social inequality, the scourge of the modern world disap-
pears. The divine injunction, There will be no poor among
you (Dt. 15/4), is perfectly realized. This New Community
is a community of freedom, fellowship and justice. In this
community need was the supreme law. The presumably
Marxist principle, “to each according to his need, from
each according to his ability”, is indeed a faithful realiza-
tion of the Gospel principle.

The core of the Christian faith is establishing and deep-

ening this relationship between people. The most inti-
mate relationships are, of course, nourished and fostered
in the family. Sociologists are unanimous in affirming that
the family is the primary cell of society, The family is the The Bishop designates of the Mar Thoma Church, Revd
vital cell of society. In the family, relationships are based
Saju C. Pappachen, Revd Dr. Joseph Daniel and Revd
on one’s core identity and not on the superficial, insignif-
Mathew K. Chandy, along with the Metropolitan Most
icant, and transitory ones. The Scriptures repeatedly de-
Revd Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma and other Bishops and
scribe the Christian community as the family of God. The
ultimate foundation of the Family relationship is marriage Sabha Secretary Revd C. V. Symon and Vicar General
bond which has a supernatural dimension in all cultures. Very Revd George Mathew, following their selection by
In the Bible, the root metaphor for binding people to- Sabha Prathinidhi Mandalam on Aug. 30, 2023 at Thiru-
gether is covenant, which establishes the fundamental, valla,
immutable social bond of every individual with the com-

30 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Diaspora Thanksgiving Sunday – 4th Sunday of November
The decision of the Mar Thoma Sabah Council and the and the possibilities in the midst of the perils and ruins of
Episcopal Synod (21st August 2023) to declare the 4th world wars and conflicts, Abraham Mar Thoma who
Sunday in November as a ‘Diaspora Thanksgiving Sun- served the Church for three decades (1917-47) as Epis-
day’ is a gracious gift from our Lord and our Saviour. Je- copa and later as Metropolitan, offered a prayer to God
sus Christ. at the 1920 Maramon Convention: "O God help my
people to scatter to different lands.'' It is good to see
The editorial board of the FOCUS gratefully acknowledge how his vision is realized under God’s amazing grace.
the contributions of the Metropolitan Most Revd Dr. The-
odosius Mar Thoma, the other bishops of the Mar Thoma The idea for a ‘Diaspora Thanksgiving Sunday’ was de-
Church, the members of the Sabha Council, and others veloped in 1999 at the first FOCUS seminar attended by
for extending the tradition practiced by the Diocese of lay members of the Mar Thoma Church from across the
North America and Europe from November 2000 to all world, few clergy, and all our Bishops. As described in
parts of the world. the book, “Expanses of Grace” published by the FOCUS
editorial board through CSS Books, Tiruvalla, in April
2017 to celebrate the birth centenary of Chrysostom
Recalling the humble beginning of the Mar Thoma com-
Valiya Metropolitan, Chrysostom Thirumeni inaugurated
munity across the world is a sure way of thanking God
the seminars in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Alexander Mar
for keeping them together as a community. One symbolic
Thoma Metropolitan, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan
way of creating and maintaining loyalty to the Mother
and all our other bishops encouraged the participants to
Church, and to do ‘God’s mission’ is to set apart one
develop various ideas that they discussed in these semi-
Sunday of the year as a ‘Diaspora Thanksgiving Sunday.’ nars. Chrysostom Thirumeni also asked us not to build
walls around our Diaspora communities, but to become
Mar Thoma Diaspora Christians need an identity of their an outward-looking community. He asked a very im-
own, a powerful symbol to remember their common and portant question for us to ponder: “Will the diaspora
humble beginning. An opportunity to appreciate and cel- community ever become a local community?” Integration
ebrate their common beginning is necessary to weave a with local communities is thought to be important for our
unity of purpose in the kaleidoscopic diversities of their future growth.
existence. This would help them to create solidarity and
ecumenical understanding with other Indian Christian
It was Zacharias Thirumeni who inaugurated the Diaspo-
Diaspora communities in various parts of the world. ra Thanksgiving Sunday in the Diocese of North America
and Europe in November 2000. All the other Diocesan
Enormous social and political changes have redrawn the Bishops who followed Zacharias Thirumeni also encour-
map of the world, and established different immigration aged the thanksgiving Sunday tradition. In 2013, we were
and settlement patterns. The experience of struggling able to begin the publication of the FOCUS digital jour-
with how the Marthomites recognise the fullness of the nal; it is now an ecumenical journal, and it now reaches
Gospel faith in settings and cultures different from their out to 250,000 people world-wide. FOCUS is an acronym
own is as old as the Christian Church itself. However, the for ‘FOR CHRISTIAN UNDERSANDIND AND SOLIDARI-
particular circumstances of their settlements in various TY.’ There are several people including past and present
parts of the world challenge them as a Church to wrestle Mandalam members, Sabha Council members, and lay
with their differences and celebrate what unite them. This people who continued to work for making the ‘Diaspora
is an important ecumenical challenge as well. Our unity Thanksgiving Sunday’ a world-wide event, and finding a
with one another is grounded in the life of love, unity and place for it in the Mar Thoma Church Calendar. We thank
communion with the Godhead. all of them for their efforts and prayers.

The existence of Mar Thoma communities in different We do not always get immediate results when we pray.
parts of the world is neither an accident nor a cause for Our definition of swift justice is not the same as the
arrogance and pride. On the other hand, it is a way of Lord’s definition. The parable of the persistent widow (Lk
experiencing God’s purpose for Mar Thoma communi- 18:1-8) demonstrates that effective prayer requires te-
ties. A world-wide Diaspora Sunday celebration would nacity and faithfulness. A genuine disciple must learn
help them to realise that the diversity through which they that prayer never gives up, and it is based on absolute
experience their unity is God’s gracious gift to them as a trust and faith in God. We can fully count on the Lord to
community, and face the challenge that ‘every Mar- answer when, where, and how He chooses. God expects
thomite is a missionary.’ us to keep on asking, seeking, knocking, and praying
until the answers come (Mt 7:7–8). Disciples of Jesus are
It is good to remember the prophetic prayer of Abraham people of persistent faith. The parable of the persistent
Mar Thoma Metropolitan. Discerned with farsightedness widow and unjust judge is similar to the parable of the

31 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

persistent neighbour (Lk 11:5–10), another lesson in Je-
sus’ teachings on prayer. While both parables teach the Revd Dr. Joseph Daniel
importance of persistence in prayer, the story of the wid- is from the Trinity Mar
ow and the judge adds the message of continued faith- Thoma Church, Ko-
fulness in prayer. Let us continue to pray for building a chukoickal (Kerala), born
Diaspora Centre in Kerala for our next generations to on August 19, 1970 (53
trace their roots and history. years old). Parents: Mr.
Thomas Daniel, (Late)
We want to thank God for Everyone who persistently Mrs. Saramma Thomas.
prayed and worked for the establishment of a world-wide Educated at: St Thomas
Diaspora Thanksgiving Sunday. Let us also pray persis- College, Kozhenchery
tently for God’s grace and blessings to do God’s mission (BA in History, 1991; MA
in establishing God’s kingdom values in the countries History, 1993, 1st Rank);
and situations where we are placed. Mar Thoma Theological
Seminary, Kottayam (BD,
For the Editorial Board 1998); FFRRC, Kottayam
(MTh, 2006); Germany
(Goethe Zertifikat, 2010); Berne, Switzerland (Nach Di-
The Three Bishop Designates of ploma, 2010); Berne, Switzerland (DTh, 2014); Berne,
the Mar Thoma Church Switzerland, (Post-Doctoral Studies, 2019). Has served
the following Mar Thoma parishes: Mylom, K R Puram,
Marathahalli, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany,
FOCUS Editorial Board congratulates and welcomes the Kumbanadu. Also served as: Chaplain to Metropolitan;
three new Bishop designates of the Mar Thoma Church: Part-time Teacher at Episcopal Jubilee Institute of Evan-
Revd Saju. C. Pappachen, Revd Dr. Joseph Daniel, Revd gelism, Kompady; Students Chaplain, Bangalore; Vice-
Mathew. K. Chandy. It is the tradition of the faithful be- President, Mar Thoma Opportunity School, Bangalore;
lievers of the Church to chant ‘axios, axios, axios’ which Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam.
means ‘worthy of’ or ‘suitable’ three times during the
consecration as bishops. We pray that the Lord may Revd Mathew. K. Chandy
keep them in His providence to continue the faith journey is from the Mallappally Mar
of the Mar Thoma Church so that they can prove that Thoma Church, Keezhvaipur
they are worthy to the Lord and to His Church. (Kerala), born on May 1,
1972 (51 years old). Parents:
Revd Saju. C. Pappachen (Late) Mr. Bahanan Chandy,
is from the Arthat Mar Tho- (Late) Mrs. Annamma Chan-
ma Church, Kunnamkulam Chandy. Educated at: NSS
(Kerala), born on April 22, College, Changanasserry
1969 (54 years old). Parents: (BA in Economics, 1992);
Mr. C. C. Pappachen, Mrs. Jabalpur (MA in Hindi, 1998;
Saramma Pappachen. Edu- LLB, 2012); Leonard Theo-
cated at: Shree Krishna Col- logical College, Jabalpur
lege, Guruvayur (BSc, 1991); (BD, 2003); Coral Academy,
Mar Thoma Theological Sihora (PGDCA, 2011). Has
Seminary, Kottayam (BD, served the following Mar
1997); SEERI, Kottayam, Thoma parishes: Sihora, Singrauli, Vishkapatanamm, In-
Kerala (Diploma in Syriac, dore, Guwahati, Gwalior, Bharatpur. Also served as:
2001); SEERI, Kottayam (MA Acharya Christa Pandhi Ashram, Sihora; Principal, Easow
in Syriac, 2003), Paurasthya Mar Timotheos Centre, Sihora.
Vidyapitham, Kottayam
(MTh, 2007); Paurasthya God willing, the Revd Saju. C. Pappachen, Revd Dr. Jo-
Vidyapitham, Kottayam (DTh, 2011). Ordained as Deacon seph Daniel, and Revd Mathew. K. Chandy will be con-
on June 20, 1997, and Kaseesa on July 15. 1997. Has secrated as Rambans on October 2, 2023 at Ranni-
served the following Mar Thoma parishes: Elappara, Pazhavangadikara Immamuel Mar Thoma Church and as
Cheenthalar, Mathai Para, Kolenchery, Valakom, Mama- Episcopas on December 2, 2023 at Thiruvalla, where the
lar, Gwalior, Bharatpur, Karukachal, Thane, Vadavathoor, headquarters of the Mar Thoma Church is located. May
New York (St. Thomas MTC, Yonkers). Also served as: the Lord Almighty shower His choicest blessings on the
Secretary, Metropolitan (2008-11); Secretary, Valiya Met- Revd Saju. C. Pappachen, Revd Dr. Joseph Daniel, and
ropolitan (2015-19); Syriac Teacher, Mar Thoma Theolog- Revd Mathew. K. Chandy in their ministerial service to
ical Seminary, Kottayam (2011-19); Member, Team of the world-wide Mar Thoma Church, and her ecumenical
Malpans to Deacons (2011-19). partners.

32 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

My Story (Part-4)
Dr. Titus Mathews, Professor Emeritus University of Calgary, Canada

[Dr. Titus Mathews may be very familiar to the readers of Later on, we organized inter-territorial matches with simi-
the FOCUS Journal. He was one of the founding editors lar groups in Nairobi. Eventually we set up the Uganda
and only given up the responsibility after ten years being Basketball Association and I served as the president for
an editor. He lived and worked in India, Africa, England, a year. We used to go and teach and play with the pris-
and Canada. His contributions to the Mar Thoma Diaspo- on inmates as well.
ra communities and the academic life in these countries
are enormous and hence it is worth publishing it for the My teaching load was not onerous, but the challenge
benefit of our readers. The following is the fourth part of was to continue my research with little or no grants. Dr.
an autobiographical sketch written by Dr. Titus Mathew Mahadeva, who became my mentor and a friend used to
and supplemented by his wife, Mrs. Sara Joseph. We are tell me about the importance of keeping up with my re-
hoping to publish it in several parts over the next two search. Life was comfortable and enjoyable at Makerere
years. We are very grateful for the help and support of the college, and there was little pressure to publish any pa-
family for helping us with this. The part three of the story pers. But I managed to publish couple of good papers
was published in the July issue (FOCUS July 2023, Vol. with a Japanese scientist, Dr. Kodoma, and a research
11, Issue 3, p15-16) For the Editorial Board.] student Mr. C.G. Sivjee, an exceptionally bright student
on cosmic ray intensity. Our expedition to the sea coast
My Life in Uganda of Mombasa and the Kenya highlands for this purpose
was a memorable experience.
At the time of Independence in 1962, about half the peo-
ple in Uganda were Christians - either Anglicans or Cath- Meanwhile a paper from my thesis on cosmic ray intensi-
olics. The population was just under 9 million, with a few ty variations underground appeared in the prestigious
thousand Europeans, who were mostly in government monthly publication of Royal Astronomical Society. The
services or managing plantations of tea or coffee. Most international Cosmic Ray Conference was going to be
of the 90,000 Indians were engaged in various business held at Jaipur, India in December 1963. Dr. Thomson, the
activities, and controlled most of the cash economy. The Head of the Department, nominated me to be the dele-
native population was divided into various tribal groups, gate from East Africa, and I went to attend the confer-
Baganda being the largest, and engaged in small scale ence. This gave me a chance to meet scientists from all
subsistence farming. With fish, meat, vegetables, and around the world as well as to meet many old friends
fruits available in plenty, there was little malnutrition from Tata Institute and Imperial College. I took several of
among the people, especially those who lived near Lake the overseas delegates to see Taj Mahal in Agra. I also
Victoria. organized a reunion dinner for everyone who was con-
nected with Imperial College and that became a regular
The educational system was naturally patterned after the event wherever the conference was held thereafter. On
British system. Makerere college was started before the the whole, the conference was a big success.
Second World War as a teacher training school. Soon
after the War, it was made into a University College to After the conference I went to Kerala stopping at Banga-
cater to the needs of the East African countries of Kenya, lore, where my mother was convalescing after a surgery.
Uganda, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar. Many other such She came to Kerala earlier in the year to be with her fa-
colleges were started in other countries. They were all in ther, hearing he was ill. My beloved grandfather passed
special relations with University of London and prepared away a few months before I could visit in December.
students for its degrees. Among these colleges, Makere-
re enjoyed perhaps the highest reputation. Students I had another reason to go to Kerala. Miss Joseph, who
from all East African countries were selected on scholas- was in my heart and who I had told my grandfather about
tic merits. before I left for London, was a Lecturer in Chemistry at
St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam. I was anxious to see
The director of Physical Education at Makerere found out her and find how she had changed since I last saw her
that I was fairly good at basketball and gave me the vol- more than five years ago. Moreover, my friends had
untary job of coaching the basketball team. I was happy warned me, that I might be surprised to see her changed
to do that as I could play with the college team. Soon and may want to change my mind about marriage. Yes,
after I went to Uganda, a number of peace corps volun- she had changed; more mature and confident, but still
teers from the USA came as teachers and other commu- the same girl. She walked with me to see my mother
nity workers. There were a number of good and anxious resting in India Coffee House in Broadway near her col-
basketball players among them. We would get together lege. My mother, who was vehemently against the so
on Saturdays at Makerere and play for a couple of hours. called “love marriage” was surprised and did not expect
such a meeting. I visited her at her house in Edanadu

33 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

just before Christmas and saw her mother and couple of Buganda, the chief tribe. There were confrontations be-
relatives as well. tween the Ugandan army and Kabaka’s group. Finally,
Obote displaced President Kabaka and Kabaka went into
Our wedding was arranged for April 1964 when I would exile. One could see trouble was brewing.
be on my first leave from Makerere College. My mother
remained in Kerala and my father went ahead of me to After Independence, the more experienced European ad-
make all arrangements. The wedding was conducted in ministrators were leaving, and were replaced by Africans.
the traditional manner in St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church Even foreign faculty began to leave Makerere for their home
countries. To encourage them not to leave and make uncer-
in Kozhencherry, my home parish church. The Metropoli-
tainty all of a sudden, the British government offered a sala-
tan, Juhanon Mar Thoma officiated the ceremony. My
ry increase - but only for the British faculty members, and
parents returned to Africa a week after.
not others. Since I believed in ‘equal pay for equal work’
irrespective of skin color or nationality, this situation was not
Sarah (Ponnie) and I went to Madras to get a new pass- acceptable to me. Mr. YK Lule, an Ugandan, was the new
port for her, and then to Bombay and stayed with my principal of the college. He reneged on a written commit-
cousin. I flew to London as previously arranged to work ment made to pay me a salary while I went on sabbatical
on designing a gamma-ray detector, at the invitation of leave to the U.S. after had I made all arrangements. So, I
Professor Elliot, and Sarah stayed with my cousin and was uncertain how long I should stay.
family, waiting to get admission papers to East Africa.
Though she teases me that I did not take her to London, The same week I got a letter from Dr. Challice, the Head of
she had no complaints as she had the most wonderful the Department of Physics, at the University of Alberta in
time with my cousin and family, and they still remain Calgary asking whether I was still interested in a faculty po-
close to this day. When she got the required papers in sition about which I had enquired, couple of months before.
two weeks’ time, she flew to Nairobi and then to Moshi I replied in the affirmative and gave both Professor Thomp-
where my father picked her up and stayed with my par- son and Professor Elliot as my referees. Within two weeks, I
ents in Ziwani. received a formal appointment as an Assistant Professor. I
informed Professor Thompson and the department that I
At the end of six weeks, I flew back to Kampala, and would be leaving Makerere.
drove to Ziwani to collect her. All my friends in Kampala
When I informed our friends in town that I would be going to
were eagerly waiting to meet her. They instantly liked her
Canada, they could not believe it. They thought life in Kam-
and made everything possible to make her feel at home.
pala was so good, it would be crazy to give it up. But it was
She was quite surprised how pleasant and beautiful apparent to me, when all factors were considered, people of
Kampala was! No doubt our friends, both within the Col- Indian origin had little future in Uganda. East Africa was not
lege and outside contributed greatly to our happy feel- a place for me to make a career.
ings. She worked as a research assistant to Dr. Peel in
the Chemistry Department for a while and later joined a Though I had no prophetic vision about Idi Amin, his expul-
Higher Secondary School for teaching. sion of Asians in 1972, six years after I left Uganda, validat-
ed my assessment. The same week we left, beginning of
My father had decided to retire and go back to Kerala April 1966, there was a shooting near Makerere, between
but hearing the news that we were going to have a baby, Obote’s military army and Kabaka’s supporters. My wife
they came and stayed with us until the baby was born. still teases me saying one night I had a revelation of hearing
By that time, we have moved to a newly built house allo- a voice in my sleep saying “Titus, Titus, leave this place and
cated by the College. Our first child ‘Titus’ (Titu) was go to the faraway place which I am going to show you.” So,
born on 5th October 1965, in Mulago Hospital in Kampa- He did, and this Sarah also had to follow him just like Abra-
la. My parents were very happy and proud. All our ham’s Sarah did. Though she was sorry to leave the com-
friends were also very happy, for by then, my wife had fort of having a cook, an ‘Aya’ to take care of the baby, a
become a very favored person among them. In fact, gardener, a teaching job she loved, and most of all, her
good friends, she also thought it was the right decision.
some of them went and saw her and the baby in the
hospital before I went and saw them. Titus was baptized
Looking back at the time I was in Uganda, I see it as a most
in the Makerere College Chapel by the then Archbishop
wonderful time. I have only fond memories of the place and
of Uganda, Dr. Leslie Brown. We had a reception for all people. The Ugandans I met were always friendly and cour-
our friends. My parents left for Kerala after a few days. teous. Simple people who enjoyed good things in life.
Many of them lived well above their means, wearing expen-
Once my father and mother left, the major reason for me to sive clothes and shoes and drove luxury cars. But there
take up the job in Kampala was no more. Also, there were were also very sensible and responsible people. The power
changes taking place in all over East Africa, after the coun- struggles and different epidemics had taken a toll on them.
tries became independent. Law and order were deteriorat- I hope and wish them prosperity and peaceful life.
ing. Thefts and robberies were taking place. It became un-
safe to go out of the College Campus. There was a political (To be continued . . .)
power struggle between the Prime Minister Mr. Milton Obo-
te, and President Mr. Kabaka Mutesa, the traditional king of

34 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Late Rev. E. J. George – A Remarkable
Priest - An Obituary Tribute
Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph

"He whose undertakings are free from desires, whose

actions are burned in the fire of knowledge, him the wise
will call a sage" (The Bhagavad Gita,IV,vs.19). Yes, this
is the story of a sage priest.

Revd E. J.
George (95), a
senior priest of
the Mar Tho-
ma Church,
passed away
on Aug. 30,
2023 and he
was laid to his
eternal rest on
September 2,
2023 at the
Anchery Chris-
tos Mar Tho-
ma Church. In
his autobiog-
raphy, Rev. Dr.
M. A. Thomas, the founder director of ECC, depicts E. J.
George Achen as a "selfless, devout and humble priest"
(A Leap into the Unknown,p.155).

I have had a long period of personal relationship with

Achen since 1963. We used to share common concerns
and make personal visits from time to time. I am indeed
happy that we travelled together with his dear wife ,Dr. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy,
Sophy Kochamma a few days ago (before his depar- to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing
ture) to attend a meeting of the senior priests of the Mar to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans
Thoma Church who have completed 50 years in their
12:1 NIV). (Source: www.busyblessedwomen.com)
pastoral ministry at Tiruvalla. In his company one may
feel the warmth of friendship and the abiding presence
of Christ's love in his conversation. A living sacrifice must have sounded odd to those who
were hearing Paul’s words too. They were used to bring-
I am remained of the words of Bernard Shaw: "Life levels ing a live animal to the priest who would kill the animal as
all men; death reveals the eminent". Yes, the death of E. the sacrifice; atoning for their sin.
J. George Achen has raised several spiritual questions
before the clergy and the laity. His concern for others Paul says because of Christ, we no longer have to bring
was indeed remarkable. As a parish priest and head of a sacrifice, we become one. We’re not a burnt offering,
a few charitable institutions he has placed before us we are a living one!
several noble pastoral traits. He has really translated the
words of Fr. Murray Rogers, a British Pilgrim, into his life: We come before God and offer our complete self in grati-
"If friends are my assets, then I AM THE RICHEST MAN tude and thanksgiving. We offer all the parts of our bod-
IN THE WORLD." Yes, Achen should be remembered ies- eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet, heart, mind, etc.- in ser-
with the tomb inscription attributed to the King David, : vice to Him and doing His will.
"he died in a good old age, full of days and riches."
Achen will remind us that “we can make our lives sub- “Offering our bodies” was Paul’s way of explaining that
lime." For many of us, Achen's death is a pleasant as a redeemed people, we surrender our lives back to
memory and a silent grief. Thanks be to God for his life Jesus in thanksgiving for all He has done. Jesus offered
and witness. Indeed, it is great that Dr. Joseph Mar Bar- Himself as a onetime, for all time, single sacrifice and
nabas Suffragan Metropolitan is his younger brother atoned for all our sin. There is nothing we can add to
who is keeping a pastoral legacy alive. this. The only thing to “do” is to believe and trust in Him.

35 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

A Faith Journey Through the Holy Land (Part-1)
Lal Varghese, Esq.

[Every journey brings with it an experience of new as well A faith journey through Jordan, Israel, and Egypt from
as familiar; the predictable as well as the unpredictable, April 16 - 26, 2023 was undertaken by about 24 families
the ordinary and the extraordinary. Lal Varghese, Esq., in from Dallas, Detroit, and New York. The Holy Land trip
the following article gives a description of places that he was a memorable one for everyone in our group. Our trip
visited during his Holy Land pilgrimage in April 2023. His began in Amman ( Jordan), then Galilee, Cana, Bethle-
description is a combination of the old and the new, the hem, Capernaum, Old City, Jerusalem in Israel, and final
past, the present and the future, physically beautiful and stretch of visit was to Dead Sea, Mount Sinai and Pyra-
spiritually enriching. A visit to the Holy Land brings the mids and The Great Sphinx of Giza. The following are
Bible to life and helps us to walk in the footsteps of Je- short descriptions of places that we visited.
sus. This is a never-ending journey; it continues with our
everyday routines; we will revisit the Holy Land in our The important places visited, we visited are Nebo
minds at every Sunday worship and when you read or mountain and Petra in Jordan, Mount Tabor, Annuncia-
hear the Gospels. For the Editorial Board] tion Church, Mary's well, Joseph's carpenter's house,
Jordan river and baptism site of Jesus, Church in Cana,
where Jesus turned water into wine, Mount of Beati-
tudes, Church of Multiplication at Tabgha, St. Peter's
Primacy Church, Galilee Sea shore, Capernaum, Nativity
Church, Shepherd's filed, Pater Poster Church where
Jesus taught disciples the Lord's Prayer, Mount of Olives
and Ascension Chapel, Palm Sunday Way, Church of
Domino Flavit, Garden of Gethsemane, Agony Church,
Old Jerusalem City, Walk through the quarters, Golden
Gate, Jaffa Gate, Lions Gate, St. Annes Church, Pool of
Bethesda, 10th to 14th station inside Holy Sepulcher
Church, Mount Zion, King David's tomb Formation Ab-
bey, Peter Galicantu Church, Holy step, St. John the
Baptist Church, Visitation Church, Elizabeth's house
where Mary met Elizabeth, Martha Maria Church, Betha-
ny, Mount of Temptation, Jericho wall, Sycamore Tree,
Dead Sea, St. Catherine monastery at Sinai mountain,
Moses Bush and Moses well, Suez Canal, Pharaonic vil-
The Holy Land is often called the “Fifth Gospel.” A Holy lage, Pyramids, Sphinx, Papyrus factory, Nile Cruise din-
Land tour gives us an opportunity to immerse ourselves ner, Coptic Churches.
in the place where Jesus was born, lived, travelled, se-
lected his disciples, taught, carried out miracles, healed,
died on the cross for our salvation and resurrected for
establishing God’s kingdom Values on the earth. When
we visit the Holy Land, we are able to meet in our minds
Jesus and his disciples and other followers in a new and
authentic way. Then we have an opportunity to feel that
any ground that we cross is a sacred land. It is an amaz-
ing spiritual experience which is difficult to explain; one
needs to be in such places physically to experience its
additional spiritual significance. A Pilgrimage to the Holy
Land is a once in a life time experience and it is a very
special personal spiritual journey. As one travels across
this sacred land in the footsteps of Jesus and his disci-
ples, it opens up our memory banks; makes up feel that
we have been in such places before and now they have
an intimacy like no other because of our knowledge and
familiarities of the New Testament stories. It is an experi-
ence of physical and virtual merging into one reality. The
following is a description of places that I visited recently.

36 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Mount Nebo, after 40 years leading the Israelites in the Jerusalem is revered as a holy city by half the human
desert, Moses stood on the summit of Mount Nebo and race. For Jews it is the city King David made the capital
viewed the Promised Land of Canaan — after having of his kingdom, and where the Temple stood, containing
been told by God “you shall not cross over there”. One the Ark of the Covenant. For Christians, it is where Christ
can see the Dead Sea, the Jordan Riv- died, was buried, and rose again, and the birthplace of
er valley, Jericho, Bethlehem and the distant hills the Church. The Jewish and Christian Bibles mention
of Jerusalem. As Deuteronomy 34:5-6 recounts, Mo- Jerusalem several hundred times. For Muslims it is al-
ses died in the land of Moab “but no one knows his buri- Quds (“the Holy”) because they believe Muhammad as-
al place to this day.” Outside the present-day shrine cended to heaven from the Temple Mount during his
stands an enigmatic serpentine cross, the Brazen Ser- Night Journey.
pent Monument. Created by Italian artist Giovanni Fanto-
ni, it imaginatively merges the life-saving bronze serpent The Kidron Valley, a place of olive groves, ancient
set up by Moses in the desert (Numbers 21:4-9) and the tombs and misnamed funerary monuments, divides Je-
cross upon which Jesus was crucified. rusalem’s Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Once
a deep ravine channeling a seasonal stream, it provided
a defensive border to the original City of David — and a
route to the wilderness for King David when he fled from
his rebellious son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23). Jesus often
traversed the Kidron on his way to the village of Bethany,
his favorite place of rest and refuge. After the Last Sup-
per, he crossed the valley with his disciples to the garden
of Gethsemane. Then, after he was betrayed, he was
brought back the same way to the house of the high
priest for the trial.

Petra is a famous archaeological site in Jordan's south-

western desert. Dating to around 300 B.C., it was the
capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Accessed via a narrow
canyon called Al Siq, it contains tombs and temples
carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname,
the "Rose City." Perhaps its most famous structure is
45m-high Al Khazneh, a temple with an ornate, Greek-
style facade, and known as The Treasury. The city was
The Mount of Olives, one of three hills on a long ridge to
built on a terrace, pierced from east to west by the Wadi
the east of Jerusalem, is the location of many biblical
Mūsā (the Valley of Moses)—one of the places where,
according to tradition, the Israelite leader Moses struck a events. Rising to more than 800 meters, it offers an unri-
rock and water gushed forth. We returned to the hotel in valled vista of the Old City and its environs. In the Old
Testament, King David fled over the Mount of Olives to
Amman and next day crossed the border to Israel.
escape when his son Absalom rebelled (2 Samuel 15:30).
After King Solomon turned away from God, he built pa-
gan temples there for the gods of his foreign wives (1
Kings 11:7-8). Ezekiel had a vision of “the glory of the
Lord” ascending from the city and stopping on the
Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23). Zechariah prophesied
that in the final victory of the forces of good over the
forces of evil, the Lord of hosts would “stand on the
Mount of Olives” and the mount would be “split in two
from east to west” (Zechariah 14:3-4).

In the New Testament, Jesus often travelled over the

Mount of Olives on the 40-minute walk from the Temple
to Bethany. He also went there to pray or to rest. He
went down the mount on his triumphal entry to Jerusa-

37 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

lem on Palm Sunday, on the way weeping over the city’s Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9) from
future destruction (Luke 19:29-44). In a major address to a boat moored in the bay. The exact site of the Sermon
his disciples on the mount, he foretold his Second Com- on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28) is unknown. Pilgrims
ing (Matthew 24:27-31). He prayed there with his disci- commemorate the event at the eight-sided Church of the
ples the night before he was arrested (Matthew 26:30- Beatitudes, built on the slope of the mount and accessi-
56). And he ascended into heaven from there (Acts 1:1- ble by a side road branching off the Tiberias-Rosh Pina
12) highway. The Mount of Beatitudes is also understood to
be the place where Jesus met his apostles after his Res-
The Mount of Olives is holy place sacred to Muslims, urrection and commissioned them to “make disciples of
Jews, and Christians, and stands as the highest point in all nations” (Matthew 28:16-20).
East Jerusalem. It rises over 2,600 feet into the air, while
it has been a Jewish cemetery for nearly 3,000 years, it is
also a place of celebration. A number of Jews on pilgrim-
ages will stop here along their route through Jerusalem.
One of the highlights is the Tomb of the Prophets. The
site is also said to be where the dead will rise on the Day
of Judgment.

For Christians, the site is noteworthy for housing the

Church of Ascension, and the Garden of Gethsemane. It
is where Jesus stood as he said his final prayer before
his betrayal. For Muslims, this is said to be where the
Seven Arches will rise and connect with the remains that
sit on the Temple Mount when the End of Times arrives.
Once the bridge is formed, the righteous will be able to Jordan River: The Jordan River runs through the land
pass over this holy bridge and ascend to heaven. and history of the Bible, giving its waters a spiritual sig-
nificance that sets it aside from other rivers. The Jordan
Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, is is significant for Jews because the tribes of Israel under
the broad hill south of the Old City’s Armenian Quarter. Joshua crossed the river on dry ground to enter the
Several important events in the early Christian Church Promised Land after years of wandering in the desert. It
are likely to have taken place on Mount Zion: is significant for Christians because John the Baptist
baptized Jesus in the waters of the Jordan. The prophets
• The Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples, and the Elijah and Elisha also crossed the river dry-shod; and the
coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, both believed Syrian general Naaman was healed of leprosy after
to have been on the site of the Cenacle; washing in the Jordan at Elisha’s direction.
• The appearance of Jesus before the high priest Caia-
phas, believed to have been at the site of the Church of The Church of the Transfiguration is a Franciscan
St Peter in Gallicantu; church located on Mount Tabor in Israel. It is traditionally
• The “falling asleep ” of the Virgin Mary (dormition of the believed to be the site where the Transfiguration of Jesus
Virgin Mary), believed to have occurred at the site of the took place, an event in the Gospels in which Jesus is
Church of the Dormition. The phrase "dormition of the transfigured upon an unnamed mountain and speaks
Virgin Mary," which literally means the falling asleep of with Moses and Elijah.
the Virgin, figuratively refers to Mary's death. From New
Testament times Christians referred to death as sleep. The Church of the Annunciation in Naza-
St. Paul wrote of deceased Christians as "those . . . who reth commemorates the place where the angel Gabriel
have fallen asleep through Jesus" (1 Thes 4.14). visited Mary and delivered the invitation for her to bear
• The Council of Jerusalem, around AD 50, in which the God's Son. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke both de-
early Church debated the status of converted gentiles scribe the birth of Jesus, but they disagree as to where
(Acts 15:1-29), perhaps also on the site of the Cenacle. Joseph and Mary lived before Jesus' birth. The towering
cupola of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth
The Mount of Beatitudes, believed to be the setting for stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home
Jesus’ most famous discourse, the Sermon on the of the Virgin Mary. Here, it is believed, the archangel Ga-
Mount, is one of the most beautifully serene places in the briel told the young Mary, aged about 14, that she would
Holy Land. Overlooking the northwestern shore of the become the mother of the Son of God. And here Mary
Sea of Galilee, it offers an enchanting vista of the north- uttered her consent: “Let it be done to me according to
ern part of the lake and across to the cliffs of the Golan your word.” The outcome of Mary’s consent is carved in
Heights on the other side. Within sight are the scenes of Latin across the façade over the triple-doorway entrance:
many of the events of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, including “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John
the town of Capernaum 3km away, where he made his 1:14).
home. Just below is Sower’s Cove, where it is believed

38 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4

Mary's Well is reputed to be located at the site where, ac- Capernaum is where Jesus lived as he carried out his mis-
cording to one Christian tradition associated with the apoc- sion. Most of the chapters in the New Testament describe
ryphal Gospel of James, Archangel Gabriel appeared to what happened when he was living in Capernaum – from his
Mary, mother of Jesus and announced that she would bear baptism to the last week of his life. Jesus chose his twelve
the Son of God – an event known as the Annunciation. disciples in this area on the northern shore of the Sea of
Galilee. Five of them – Peter, Andrew, James, John, and
Church of Saint Joseph, in Nazareth is built over the car- Matthew – came directly from Capernaum and all the other
pentry workshop of the husband of the Virgin Mary. The disciples came from the Galilee area. The only one who
church (also known as the Church of the Nutrition and the didn’t come from the Galilee was Judas Iscariot, who would
Church of Joseph’s Workshop) is a solid and unpretentious later betray Jesus.
building. It stands very much in the shadow of the soaring
cupola of the Church of the Annunciation on its southern Church hovers over Peter’s house: Capernaum later fell
side — just as St Joseph himself lived in the shadow of Je- into ruin. A 3rd-century report called the town “despicable;
sus and Mary. it numbers only seven houses of poor fishermen”. It was
later resettled but again fell into disrepair. The ruins lay un-
The Wedding Church at Cana or simply Wedding Church, discovered until 1838, when a visiting scholar gave this de-
also Franciscan Wedding Church, is a religious building of scription: “The whole place is desolate and mournful . . .
the Catholic Church located in Lower Galilee, located in .”Today an ultra-modern Catholic church, perched on eight
northern Israel. It is dedicated to the weddings of Christiani- sturdy pillars, hovers protectively over an excavation site. It
ty. Cana in Galilee is celebrated as the scene of Jesus’ is believed to have been the site of Peter’s house, where
first miracle. It is actually the place of his first two public Jesus would have lodged. Archaeologists believe the house
miracles in Galilee — the changing of water into wine and was in a small complex grouped around irregular court-
the remote healing of an official’s son 32km away yards. Drystone basalt walls would have supported a roof of
in Capernaum. tree branches covered with straw and earth — a fairly flimsy
construction easily breached to lower a paralyzed man on a
The “Sermon on the Mount” is recorded in Matthew 5–7 mat, as described in Mark 2:1-12.
and Luke 6 and the place is known as Mount of Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes as recorded in Matt 5:3: “Blessed are the Excavations show that one room in this interlinked complex
poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. had been singled out since the middle of the 1st century.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Graffiti scratched on its plaster walls referred to Jesus as
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Lord and Christ (in Greek). It is suggested that this room
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteous- was venerated for religious gatherings as a house church. If
ness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for so, it would have been the first such example in the Chris-
they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for tian world. In 5th century an octagonal church was built
they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they around this venerated room. The present church, dedicated
shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which in 1990, repeats the octagonal shape.
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile
you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.”

Ornate Synagogue in white limestone: Near the church, a

partly reconstructed synagogue is believed to have been
built on the foundations of the synagogue in which Jesus
Capernaum is mentioned more than fifty times in the taught. Erected in the 4th or 5th centuries, this impressive
New Testament, making it the most-mentioned place structure with ornately carved decorations is the largest
after Jerusalem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew synagogue discovered in Israel. Its white limestone, carted
up in Nazareth. After being baptized by John the Baptist from a distant quarry, contrasts with the local black basalt
in the Jordan River, Jesus returned to Nazareth. Howev- of the synagogue Christ knew. That original synagogue was
er, the people of Nazareth rejected him and so he trav- built by a Roman centurion, the same centurion who had his
eled to Capernaum. Jesus visited Jerusalem many times servant healed after a declaration of faith that amazed Jesus
and that is where he was crucified, buried, and resurrected, (Luke 7:1-10).
but the time Jesus spent in Jerusalem was relatively short. (To be continued . . . .)

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40 | Page FOCUS, October 2023, Vol. 11, Issue 4