Weekend Mail

Dearly Beloved,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
 
February 02, 2025, Fourth Sunday after the Feast of Epiphany (Mayaltho)
Scriptural Readings
OT: Leviticus 12:1-8, 22:17-23, 2 Samuel 5:1-6; 17-21, Isaiah 10:33-11:10

NT: Acts 24:10-23, Ephesians 3:13-21, Holy Evangelion- St Luke 2:36-40
 
Holy Evangelion: St Luke 2:36-40
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit[a] he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,required,28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,                                                                                                           
29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
 
Reflections:
Jesus the Son of God, the co-creator of everything, came to the world as the uttered word through commandments, and became flesh in a human womb within Mary as she received the word conveyed by the messenger of God.  He was beyond the law and command, unconstrained by the world while fully attuned to God. Being fully divine, He did not necessarily have to obey the law given to the world; however, while limiting Himself to the constraints of the created world, He was also limiting Himself to everything pertaining to the creation so that He would be fully human as well.
 
A few things to infer from the presentation at the temple:
The Lord chose to be poor, thus a lamb was beyond their affordability. Hence, two pigeons were chosen as the offering (Lev 12:6-8).
 
 
Like He confined Himself to the human womb, the limitless one entered the temple too.
 
He was not against the law but came to revive it to serve its original purpose. He surrendered to the traditional observances and abided with the formal proceedings.
 
He allowed Himself to bear the covenantal mark on Him as a foreshadow of many marks of suffering He would bear in the life ahead.
Although He became a human, neither did He alter His mission of redemption, nor did He allow His divinity to depart.
Jesus came to the world to establish a peaceful kingdom as prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2-9). The kingdom is inclusive of everyone who lives in peace and reconciliation where equality prevails. Even a tender child will live, protected from any harm. It is a world where the weak and vulnerable can survive and is not a case of survival of the fittest.
 
Several times, St Paul, the miracle worker and missionary of the early church was taken captive. He did not make any effort to be released – as for him, wherever he was, served as opportunities to preach Christ. Everything that happened in his life was turned into blessings for others.
 
David was rather young when he was chosen to become king. Soon after he was anointed, he had to fight against invaders (2 Samuel 5:3-7, 17-25). God enabled him to achieve victory true to the covenantal promise. Our power to overcome challenges can be attained from sacramental submission, which empowers us to achieve great things miraculously. Sacramental graces work beyond human capabilities and limitations.
 
Surrendering to human limitations may lead to establishing heaven. With more surrender comes more grace. St Paul says this clearly in his letter to Ephesians: ‘not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; its all for your benefit’ (Eph 3:13).’
 
Going to the temple is an act of surrendering to God. Receiving the sacraments is the submission of all our human capabilities and claims to the Lord so that spiritual power and grace can be unleashed to achieve victories beyond the reach of usual human abilities. Every submission to prayer and sacraments reassures us of our mission and calling and reminds us to put the word into action. Like the infant who grew up to win the world, we can also grow and win over evil and the world. Jesus’ entry into the temple is for us to follow daily so that in every moment we experience the Kingdom of God and His miraculous Glory.
 
FEASTS AND REMEMBRANCES:
  1. February 02, Mayaltho, presenting the Lord at the Temple
  2. February 02, Commemoration of St Simon and St Hanna
  3. February 02, HG Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolitan, 57th anniversary, entombed at Carmel Dayara, Kandanad
 
FROM OUR LAST UPDATE:
Condolence
We express our deepest condolences on the passing away of Mr. N.K. Baby (88 years), beloved father of Kurian Baby Prakkanam (Directory Ref: K02), Nooranakuzhiyil House, Prakkanam, Pathanamthitta, Kerala on Monday, January 27 at 6:30 a.m. (Indian time).  He was the beloved husband of Saramma Baby.
 
He is survived by his children:
Kurian Baby (son),
Mini Kurian (daughter-in-law)
Grand Children:: Keren Sara Kurian, Helen Mary Kurian & Rishon Kurian
 
Rachel Philip (daughter),
Philip Mathew (son-in-law),
Grand Children: Angel Philip, Michelle Philip, & Mathew Philip
 
Mary John (daughter)
Jiji John (son-in-law)
Grand Children:  Christine John & Jensine John
 
Funeral Service was held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Valiyapalli, Prakkanam on Thursday Jan 30, from 11:30 AM -2:00 PM led by H.G. Dr. Joshua Mar Nicodemos, Metropolitan of Nilackal Diocese and several priests of the Orthodox Church.
 
Vicar’s Holiday Break
We missed two Sundays together. I have reached India on Tuesday, Jan 28th. Sincere thanks to respected Sijo Achen for helping us with celebrating the Holy Liturgy on last Sunday. We are connected by prayers and sacraments. May the Lord continue blessing us through his graces and mercies.
 
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS: Please note in your calendar
  1. English Qurbana in February has been cancelled.
MGOCSM-hosted Holy Liturgy in English’s service will resume in March. Sincere apology for any inconvenience this may cause to our regular participants.
 
  1. February 10-13, Nineveh Fast – Holy Liturgy on Wed, Feb 12: Evening Prayer at 06:30 pm, Holy Qurbana at 07:30 pm
 
  1. February 20, Thursday, St Joseph’s Elders Forum @ SGOCT Parish Hall
Next meeting will be on Thursday, Feb 20, 2025, at SGOCT Parish Hall at 12:00 noon.
 
  1. March 03 – April 20, Great Lent: Fasting, Abstaining, Noon Prayer online and 40 Kneeling, Evening Prayer daily at 06:30 pm followed by devotional talk.
As we have observed in the previous years, there will be daily Lenten evening prayer at church along with devotional talks. OCYM has opened a Google sheet for our members to sign up for devotional talks. Please access the Google link and sign up at the earliest.
 
AREA PRAYER MEETINGS
 
We have resumed the weekly prayer meetings after a long break. Though we had prayer meetings conducted online during Covid lockdown, the in-person meetings have resumed only recently. We request all our area coordinators to reach out to families to look for a convenient time and date for weekend prayers. It can be on Friday, Saturday or Sunday based on the availability and convenience of hosts and participants.
It will be a graceful fellowship time for our families.
 
We will be studying the Acts of Apostles for all area prayer meetings. Please go through chapter 3, 4 & 5 when we meet for the next area prayer. A compilation of the thoughts and discussions shall be shared in the respective groups for us to revisit.
 
Area Prayer Meeting:
Details of upcoming meetings shall be announced later.
 
FOR OUR ATTENTION & TO NOTE:
Children, please occupy front benches during our Liturgical Services
 
Kindly avoid crowding at the back of the church. A few concerns.
  • Due to safety concerns and for assuring an undistracted worship space, we request all our members to proceed to the front rows except those that are reserved for children when we enter the temple. It would be a bit difficult for our volunteers to suggest moving to the front during the service as it would cause distraction and noise. We need to avoid crowding at the entrance and stair areas as this has raised safety concerns.
  • Please be considerate to our senior members to help them find seats or while they try to access the washroom. A slip or a hit should be avoided in any circumstance.
  • Please be watchful at the shoe rack area which is also the entrance to both washrooms.
  • We request our parents to attend our children not to pull the alarm lever at the back wall.
 
Hand Waving Machine & Common Absolution Prayer for all communicants
The 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. Please be aware that after the Nicene Creed, the machine shall be disabled. Absolution shall be done during the morning prayer.
 
WEEKLY IN-PERSON MEETINGS: 
February 02, Sunday – after the refreshment:
  • Choir monthly meeting
  • MGOCSM monthly meeting
 
LIVE streaming has ceased but can be accessed: We are sorry to inform that the services is not available or accessible for public viewing nowadays. The private link shall be sent by mail. We gently remind our members, whoever wish to join online to send your email ID to the parish office. We encourage all our members to join in person.
 
Holy Liturgical Text for this Sunday
We will be using the Taksa of Mar John Chrysostom this Sunday.   
May the Gracious Lord keep us from all harm and heal the entire world.
 
Next Week
February 09, Fifth Sunday after the feast of Epiphany

Holy Qurbana: Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Thampan
 
 
Scriptural Readings:
OT: Genesis 9:12-21, Joshua 4:4-9, Psalms 29:1-11
NT: Acts 9:12-21, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, St Mark 1:12-20
 
Yours in Christ
Thomas John Achen
Email ID: fr.thomaspjohn@gmail.com
Mobile: (416) 570 5610