The Story of a US Migrant: Late Prof. Dr. T. M. Thomas

Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam*

[Based on Dr. T. M Thomas’ Autobiographical book, ‘Joyful Vocation of a Teacher,’ CSS, Thiruvalla, 2011, pages 276]

I am immensely pleased in introducing the story of Late Professor T. M. Thomas as described in the book, Joyful Vocation of a Teacher, under another caption “, The feast of life.” Life is meant to be celebrated at the grassroots level. A life well-lived for God and for humankind makes it beautiful. This is a God-given mandate for everybody. We should not live to die, but we should die to live. This is possible, if we are rooted in age old values such as satyam (truth), sivam (order) and sundaram (beauty). Spiritual values like dedication, passion, courage, commitment, ethics, humility, excellence, gratitude, love, God-awareness etc. make life something beautiful for God. In a nutshell, this is the message of the autobiographical book, ‘Joyful Vacation of a Teacher,’ by Dr. T.M. Thomas.

Let me begin the scanning of the book with the story of the visit of a King to the great Zen Master, Lin Chi. He was astonished to learn that more than 10,000 monks were there. Wanting to know the exact number of the monks, the King asked, “How many disciples do you have?” The Lin Chi replied: “4 or 5” at the very most!” This is the case in all professions whether secular or religious. After reading the book, and the comments of his colleagues, friends and well-wishers such as Dr. Allen Cook, Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus, Dr. Richard C. Harper and his longtime associates or friends – Dr. Thomas Joseph, Dr. Abraham Thomas, Dr. Thomas Koshy, Dr. David R Conrad, Dr. Nelson Ngoh, Dr. Cathy Rice, Mathew P. George, Revd Joseph John, Revd Biju P. Simon, Revd Ninu Chandy and Merlyn Rajan, and Dr. V.T. Samuel, I conclude without a ray of doubt that Dr. T.M. Thomas is a teacher with a “difference” and there is no copy for him in the professional field.

The Philosophy of life, as written in the book, shows such as commitment to knowledge and wisdom, care and concern for others, and the goal to become part of life beyond (p.32) makes this work the crown of his creative works, as rightly said by Mar Zacharias (p18), “Winners do not do different things. They do things differently.” His movement from Perumbavoor to Bridgeport (rather from the East to the West) is an act of grace which equipped him to handle real-life situations. It was really an educational pilgrimage which enabled Dr. Thomas to make a bridge between Athens and Jerusalem. The three months trip undertaken by the author to the length and the breadth of the USA had indeed widened his knowledge. No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined. The life and teaching of Dr. Thomas drive us to make a right assessment of modern life as said in an anonymous message I read, “The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower view points; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy less.” In a consumerist culture with its philosophy of exploitation, manipulation and competition, Dr. Thomas holds a flag of his own with the sayings, “simplify your life, choose less and buy truth.” Our lives are to be like rivers, not reservoirs, like channels and not cisterns if one has to celebrate the feast of life. As his friend Dr. David R. Conrad remarks in the book, “service to students, colleagues, and his Mar Thoma Church has brought dividends in his life.”

Dr. Thomas knew that “service is the rent we pay for our room on earth.” The credibility of the book lies in the obedience of the author as found in Psalm 102:18: “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” He has tuned the Fest of life with the vibrations of his head and heart. As Rev. Joseph Johny puts it, in this treasury of Memoirs, “ there is a beautiful blending of autobiographical sketches, educational principles and a philosophy of life” (p.273).

The book consists of 6 parts dealing with the author’s creative engagement in the wider spectrum of life. Part I, “Stage of my life,” part II, “High School Teaching,” part III, “Preparation for College Teaching,” part IV, “Fulltime College Teaching,” part V, “College Work in Four Categories,” and part VI, “Reflecting on Teaching in Retirement.” Some Central Questions carry several sub-titles and critical comments on the professional pursuits of the author.

In the early part of the book, the author sails in the ‘Perumbavoor-ship’ and then find his lodge in the Bridgeport ship for 35 years! The author always carries a nostalgic feeling as an immigrant from the land of coconuts! It is indeed great that the man behind the book remembers and visits his first grade teacher in Kuriannor, Saramma, whenever he came to his native village. In his job search, there is a period of joy, and sorrow. Untimely death of his mother and the death of his father at the age of 62 have cast deep wounds in his psyche. But he took courage in the words of St. Paul: "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2Cor.610).

"The purpose driven life" of a veteran teacher will be written on the sands of time in innumerable ways. "A good deed done is never lost" and it becomes the universal property of humankind. A unique world view is evident in the writings of his memoirs, comments Dr. Cathy Rice. As Dr. V. T. Samuel, a longtime friend of Dr. Thomas, has rightly remarked, the author has immensely helped the growth of his mother Church, the Mar Thoma Church in the USA with the production of teaching materials for Sunday School children there. His successful teaching methods depended on his knowledge of the subject, pedagogical skills and his people-oriented approach. A brilliant book, under the title, In the Beginning, edited by Dr. Thomas and Abraham Mat- tackal speak of the formative years of the Mar Thoma parishes in North America. Mar Chrysostom Commented: “As a Church history resource material the book is a valuable contribution in creating records for the Mar Thoma Church in North America."

In a chronological setting, the author takes us to the different phases of his teaching career right from Ashram High school at Perumbavoor to America. Wherever possible he makes a comparative study of learning in Kerala and in America. In a spirit of humility, the author gives credit to his seniors and mentors with praise and thanksgiving. In his early part of teaching. Dr. Thomas was not just a biology teacher. He also taught English language. He writes, "I was holding on to the principle of "equal treatment" of all students giving due consideration to the needy or ignored" (p.75). At an early period of his teaching career, the author started writing and publishing articles which he continued throughout his life (1953-2010). The publications of the author are listed on pages 262-264 under Academic publications. Church related materials and selected general articles and book reviews, bear testimony to his scribal skill.

The author speaks of his progressive growth in academic life and other pursuits due to the abiding presence of God in his life. He coins a word. "God incidence" to explain the guidance of God throughout his former and later years. I am sure the author will subscribe to the prophetic truth of life as found in Jer. 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you. plans for welfare and not for evil. to give you a future and hope". Chapter 11 & 12 do not have the flow which I have noted in the earlier sections. The author's travelogue will be a mine of information for one who goes on a “See America Ticket.” I wonder why the author has not given a brief sketch of his travels outside India and the USA. Chapters 13 &14 give us an account of his “Boston experience”. Both the chapters are too descriptive in which he had discussed two spheres of his life: family concerns and academic pursuits.

Chapter 15 is a recollection of his social bonding. The author writes: "The circle of close friends was widened after we moved from Springfield to the greater New York area". I do admire the capacity of Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas to win friends around the globe. I have had my first experience of staying with Dr. Thomas and family in 1974 and 2006. The social bonding taking place through the extension of hospitality to his friends and strangers. I have kept my friendshipwith Dr. Thomas all through these years in close quarters. In my autobiography (Malayalam, Ormakalude Theruveedhiyil, CSS,2011), I have also mentioned about 300 persons in the book by name. Dr. Thomas and I move in the same direction in this regard. Chapter 16 deals with an overview of teaching at the University of Bridgeport for 35 years. He qualifies this period as "the best of times" and “the worst of times". In Chapter 17, he accepted the ecumenical axiom: "think globally and act locally" in communicating his perspectives on education. He thus speaks of his college work in Four Categories. In chapter 18, the author seems to be a versatile genius! It is indeed noteworthy that he had donated most of his books to the Indian libraries where he had contacts. This is indeed a noble gesture of a good professor, which could be imitated by others.

I am indeed happy to note that Dr. Thomas gives credit to his life-partner, Annamma (Sarhadharmini), for her supportive role in his mission. In Chapter 19, the author creates a lasting impression on us as a researcher and author of books. His Church- related publications are indeed sources of information for the origin of the Mar Thoma Church in the USA. I congratulate the author for his keeping a record of his early writings (p.202). Chapter 20, carries a covetable title, Sabbatical leaves and visiting professor (pp.203-215). His Sabbatical pilgrimage did not receive much appreciation in his family circles including his pet Dog “Duke Thomas" (p.214).! Chapter 21. entitled" Services to the University: Duties during UB Strike, should have found a place elsewhere. The social commitment of the author is vividly brought in chapter 22.

The contribution of the author to the on-going ministry of the Mar Thoma Church in the USA is laudable. Chapter 23, ‘Retired Life and Aging in America,’ is a good analysis of his reflections on certain fundamental questions of life in individual and corporate categories. The author writes: "Retirement is the time when we raise questions about meaning and significance by relating to God for which we need more time for meditation and prayer"(p.241). Chapter 24, dealing with ‘Religion and Education in America: Becoming a Christian Teacher’, does not truly belong to an autobiographical narrative. Instead, the author could very well classify chapters 24&25 under his general concerns in a separate Category. Dr. Thomas writes, "Both chapters 24 &25 are connected because they represented my two life commitments, one to Christian education and the other to general education, especially my dedication to the profession or calling of teaching (p.260).” The section dealing with ‘Awards and Recognition for Service Activities ‘are indeed monuments of his Feast of life (pp.262-264). Words of appreciation under the section, Comments and Opinions, have been referred to earlier. The photos, 31 in number, also tell volumes to us and they form an integral part of the autobiography of a person. In the photo album, Dr. Thomas leaves a legacy for the future generation.

The book is a true account of a scholar who has contributed much to the Church in general. In the treasury of books, the autobiographical sketch of Dr. Thomas under the title ‘Joyful Vocation of a Teacher,’ will add its fragrance to other books. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows"(James 1:17).

*Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph, Formerly, Principal & Professor of New Testament Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam; Director, Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore; Secretary, Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore University.