Weekend Email

Dearly Beloved, Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! March 17, Sixth Sunday of Lent, ‘Blind’ Samiyo, Catholicate Day Epistle Readings: 1 Peter 4:12-19, Romans 14:10-23Holy Evangelion: St John 9:1-41As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Silo′am” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he”; others said, “No, but he is like him.” He said, “I am the man.” 10 They said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Silo′am and wash’; so I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was a division among them. 17 So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.”24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of man?”[a] 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe”; and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this, and they said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.REFLECTIONS:This Sunday is dedicated for praying for the church, acknowledging, and reaffirming its faith and tradition and to rededicate ourselves into the ministry of the Lord. The Gospel text of healing of the blind reassures that we, the faithful have our eyes open. We see things properly. It is a corrective to selective seeing which the leaders and teachers of the law had. Saul as a persecutor of Christians had a selective vision until his conversion to Paul the Apostle. With new vision, after meeting the absolute light, he realised the wrongs he was doing in the name of God. He had tortured the flock of Christ (who were a weak section in those days) for their faith. He had no shame or feeling of guilt in assaulting women and dragging them onto streets. He thought that his views were right. He had thought that his eyes were open. He realised his wrongs only when he got caught by a temporal blindness for three days which was cleared through a speck falling from his eyes. It was not clearing his vision but getting his inner eyes open through the Holy Spirit. He transformed into a new person and his whole life changed. He started loving and preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ – who he had once hated. A man of hatred changed to become a man of love who spoke beautifully about love (1 Cor 13). It is a classic definition of love, that cannot be better described. The many healing miracles we see on the Great Lent Sundays can lead us to ponder on and to meditate as to what is the special significance of the healing of the blind. Why is it placed towards the end of the Lent and just before the festival of Hosannah? After the Hosannah, it would be the paschal week. The intent is to remind us that if we cannot see properly and understand the work and teachings of Christ, we will miss much in life. By healing the blind, Jesus was trying to teach the religious leaders about their lack of vision about the Kingdom of God. Their partial sight and selective seeing caused them to miss the Messiah whom they all were waiting for. Without an inner perception, there is no point in observing the entry into the temple. What was the triumphant entry of the Lord all about? It was the declaration of the Kingdom of God. That entry itself was the revealing of the nature of the kingdom. Think about, who were there with the Lord when he was entering the temple which is the earthly symbol of the Kingdom of God. It was infants and an unprivileged lot comprising of – the poor, marginalised, weak, sick, sinful, frail, dirty and ugly. They had no rights or privileges. They had no power or voice. They were the most vulnerable. By seeing this entry of the Lord, the King on a colt with the weakest followers, revealed that the Kingdom of God is made by the poor and the weak. The leaders and the wise, all failed here. They expected the kingdom as a kingdom which only the powerful can make. Hence, they all failed in entering the kingdom. The Kingdom of God promised by the Lord is indeed the kingdom of the weak. They are cared the most. Without knowing this mystery of the Kingdom, nobody would be able to understand the meaning of the ministry of the lord and the destiny of human life. We cannot miss on the goal and purpose of life. Who did Jesus live and die for? For whom should his flock live and die? How can his flock relate to a temple? What is the purpose and meaning of entering a temple space? What should we know and do about the temple life?  What life should we choose? Without seeing the ministry through our inner eyes, we won’t be able to experience salvation. The Lord is calling us to His ministry. Like the sons of Zebedee, may we follow him by leaving everything which we have been keeping as our net and boat. The miraculous life is ahead!   The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of the powerless. It is the kingdom of the one who left all his might and power as his authority was not about possessions or physical wealth, but is of love. When we are at our weakest, let us lean onto Him so that we may live and love like Him. FEASTS AND REMEMBRANCES:March 17, Paulose Mar Severios Metropolitan, 62nd anniversary, entombed at Kunnamkulam Arthat Puthen Palli. SAD DEMISE:Mariamma Jacob, 74 years, beloved mother of Lizza Susan JacobOur deepest condolence to Abhilash John Vanethu (Directory ref: A21) and family on the passing away of Lizza Susan Jacob’s beloved mother Mariamma Jacob, 74 years, Cheganattuthara House, Perissery, Chengannur, Kerala on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00 PM (Indian time). She was the beloved wife of late C.M. Jacob.She is survived by her children: Liji Renji, Binoy Jacob and Lizza Jacob, sons-in-law: Renji Varughese and Abhilash Vanethu, daughter-in-law: Daisy Binoy, grand children: Sharon, Sarath, Shawn, Shaline, Benjamin, Joshua, Natasha and Philipose.Funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Valiya Palli, Perissery, Chengannur, Kerala. Date and time will be informed once decided.Lizza is travelling to Kerala to attend the funeral service.May the Lord comfort the departed soul and give strength and hope to family members at loss. Catholicate Day: Sunday March 17Please join the prayers for the Church and to take pledge. Our church is a living witness to the survival of a persecuted church by colonial powers. Our ancestors went through challenges and struggles to keep their faith in Christ. Establishing of Catholicate was the declaration of our freedom and liberty. Please join to celebrate this great day. FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES / EVENTS: Please note in your calendar.

  1. February 12 – March 31, Great Lent
  2. Prayer Schedule till Lazarus Saturday:
    1. Daily – 12:00- Noon Prayer & 40 Prostrations, (Please follow the Webex link)
    2. Daily – 07:00 pm-   Evening Prayer at Church, 08:00 pm- Devotional Talk by parish members.
  3. Thanks to Devotional Talk Speakers of last week:
    1. March 10, Sunday- Pramitha Elizabeth Pothen
    2. March 11, Monday- Aaronn Liju Thakadiyel
    3. March 12, Tuesday- Aleena Liju Thakadiyel
    4. March 13, Wednesday- Jacob Mathew
    5. March 14, Thursday- John Mathews
    6. March 15, Friday- Varghese Panicker
  4. Holy Confession: Requesting all to find time for Holy Confession before we reach the Holy Week to avoid tight schedules in the week.
  5. March 21: 40th Friday: 06:30 pm- Evening prayer, 07:30 pm- Holy Qurbana .
  6. March 24- 31, Holy Week
    1. March 24: Palm Sunday: Holy Qurbana will be celebrated on March 24th morning.
    2. March 24: 06:30 pm, Annunciation Service with evening prayer, 07:30 pm- Holy Qurbana on the feast of Annunciation to St Mary.
    3. March 27: Pessaha
    4. March 28: Maundy Thursday
    5. March 29: Good Friday
    6. March 30: Good Saturday
    7. March 31, Easter Sunday
  7. OVBS, March 13, Wednesday- March 17, Sunday 2024…Thanks to all the children, teachers and families who have taken time out to participate in the year’s OVBS sessions.

Great Lent, let us journey together.We request all our members to submit and observe this lent, expecting abundant graces and blessings from the Lord.  Let us walk with the Lord and enjoy the fruits of Heaven.Please join the online noon prayers and 40 times kneeling at 12:00 midday.Please come to church for evening prayer at 07:00pm. Please pray for the devotional speakers of each evening.Please keep the Lent Season in prayer. May the Lord be Gracious to us. Great Lent Flyer:Please find below the link to download the flyer for the Great Lent Services.https://mcusercontent.com/4b0245a10b23c3826466d9a97/files/45447c2d-d08b-5fb5-57e3-804a0b6cda19/Great_lent_Flyer_2024.pdf FOR OUR ATTENTION & TO NOTE:Pessaha AppamFor those interested in bringing Pessaha Appam on March 27th, please register with either MMVS Secretary Mrudula Thakadiyel or the Secretary of your respective Spiritual Organization. Special Seating ArrangementThe first five benches on both the women’s and men’s sides of the church are designated for OVBS Children during Holy Qurbana on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Please reserve these seats for the OVBS children. Hand Waving Machine & Common Absolution Prayer for all communicantsThe hand waving machine has been installed at the church entrance for taking count of the communicants. Whoever wishes to take Holy Communion, upon entering the temple, please wave your hand once at the machine. There will be a common absolution prayer for all communicants to prepare for Holy Communion.General Body Meeting on Sunday March 10,2024The parish General Body Meeting was conducted on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at our church. Thanks to all who participated in the GB meeting. SPIRITUAL ORGANISATIONS’ UPDATES & UPCOMING EVENTS:MGOCSM AlumniIn response to the interest of several MGOCSM alumni who have shown willingness to form an active forum, we are generating a list of members who have had any association with MGOCSM in India or elsewhere and are planning meetings and activities for MGOCSM Alumni.  Please let us know if you have previously worked with MGOCSM. You can either send an email to mgocsm.sgoct@gmail.com copying to the vicar at fr.thomaspjohn@gmail.com or send a message/call to (416) 570 5610. Sincere thanks to all for their encouraging responses. SGOCT Parish Library and Book ClubPlease donate books or kindly make monetary contributions for the parish library and book club. In-person MetingsMarch 17, Sunday, OVBS Closing Ceremony after refreshment.Live-streaming LinkPlease see below the link for Sunday Holy Liturgy Live Streaming      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDT7tcyQw1yZ1_yCG9AWStA Holy Liturgical Text for this SundayWe will be using the Taksa of Mar Ksosthos this Sunday.  May the Gracious Lord keep us from all harm and heal the entire world. Yours in ChristThomas John AchenEmail ID: fr.thomaspjohn@gmail.comMobile: (416) 570 5610