The Living Gospel: Dr. Cherian Samuel, Virginia, Page 6

“denominations”, the term “sister churches” be used to speak about other churches. The Christians today should be comfortable with the plurality of the churches rather than insisting on singularity or superiority of one’s own particular church. Chhottebhai, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, draws our attention to Jesus’ prayer for unity: “that all of them may be one …so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). In order for us to be the gospel of Christ, Christians should be united and the churches should not be competing with one another. The author wants us to prayerfully and humbly listen to what the Spirit is saying to churches (Revelation 3:22), for denominations are an abomination for the disciples of Christ.

Revd Shibu Kurian in his article on the prologue of the Fourth Gospel exhorts us to have reverence for life. The incarnation challenges us for it. It calls us to engage in history promoting life, trying to destroy the culture of death in and around us. Above all, the author points out that the incarnated God is dwelling among us for the reverence of life. He draws our attention towards the marginalized that seems to have been denied any right to live in this world. In some countries like India, the poor farmers struggle for their right in their agriculture produce. Religious fundamentalism is seen as a threat to harmony and life in society. The politicization of religion has become a danger of the hour. Society is stratified and scorns life. In such a scenario how can a Christian be the gospel of Christ? A Christian should become the aroma of Christ for the reverence of life. Human dignity has to be upheld. Protection and promotion of life and harmony with nature be strengthened.

Let me conclude this write-up by giving an instance from the life of St Francis of Assisi. I remember passing through the town of Assisi a few decades back during an evening in summer as I was travelling by train from Paris to Rome. In that small town of Assisi there once lived a saintly man named Francis. He became a member of a monastery and lived an ascetic life. The noble life he lived was well-appreciated by all the people in that monastery. Others looked at him with respect and he was well recognized by all the members of that monastic community. Many inmates there already knew that one day Francis would be canonized and proclaimed a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. One day Francis invited a young monk in the monastery to go with him to town and preach. The young man was very much delighted that this great soul chose him to accompany him. Both walked through the various ways in that town for quite some time and also through most of the important places and junctions. Through another way as they were returning to the main entrance of the monastery, the young monk became very sad and told Francis, “Father, though we went to town to preach, you have forgotten to preach”. Then Francis replied, “Son, we have been preaching all the time. Our look and attitude to others revealed through

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our walk, our eyes and other expressions were our preaching today. And it is no use, son, to go anywhere

and preach, unless we preach everywhere as we

walk.” Do our lives become the gospel in our everyday living? The challenge for us is to be the gospel of Christ every moment in our lives.

Revd Dr. Abraham Philip, Kottayam For the Editorial Board

http://www.issuu.com/diasporafocus http://www.scribd.com/diasporafocus Web Site: www.facebook.com/groups/mtfocus E-Mail: mtfousgroup@gmail.com

Published by Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas for and on behalf of Diaspora FOCUS

Disclaimer: Diaspora FOCUS is a non-profit organization registered in United States, originally formed in late Nineties in London for the Diaspora Marthomites. Now it is an independent lay-movement of the Diaspora laity of the Syrian Christians; and as such FOCUS is not an official publication of any denominations. It is an ecumenical journal to focus attention more sharply on issues to help churches and other faith communities to examine their own commitment to loving their neighbors and God, justice, and peace. Opinions expressed in any article or statements are of the individuals and are not to be deemed as an endorsement of the view expressed therein by Diaspora FOCUS. Thanks.

An Easter Hope

The 2021 April Issue of the FOCUS will be reaching you during the Passion Week. This year’s Passion Week is in the midst of various difficulties and constraints of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as we experienced in the last year. The death associated with the pandemic is over two and a half million worldwide. This loss of life has cut to the heart of humanity; we also have so many other issues to face such as the lockdowns, shielding, travel bans, unemployment, school and university closures, mental disorders and son on and on. Let us find comfort and hope in the Passion Week liturgies and worship services. During this period, we have been able to see countless acts of random kindness from health care workers and many others, the growth of true solidarity, and determined service for the neediest, a deep appreciation of the importance of family ties, social cohesion and so on. This we must nurture in the radiance of the radical power of the Holy Spirit. Let us thank God for the green blades of hope through vaccination and other measures. We need to grasp the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ through every crisis in our lives, particularly during the Easter. Jesus told his disciples: “In this world you

will have trouble. But Take heart! I have overcome the

world” (Jn 16: 33). We wish all our readers hope, peace and joy in Christ Jesus.

The Editorial Board FOCUS April 20 21 Vol. 9, No: 2