Carmel Mar Thoma Church

March - 2008

Dearly beloved in Christ,

During winter some oak trees retain their crisp, dry leaves long after the maples, the elms and the walnuts have become bare skeletons. Even the strong winter winds and the early spring rains do not completely strip the oak branches of all their old leaves. But as spring time progresses, warmer winds blow and something wonderful begins to happen. Tiny buds start appearing at the tips of the twigs, and the dried remnants of the preceding season fall off. New life replaces the old.

At times, old habits cling to our lives with the same tenacity as those oak leaves. Even the winds of adversity do not remove all the lifeless leftovers of our fallen human nature.But Christ, who dwells in our hearts by the Holy Spirit is at work. His life within us continually seeks to push off the old habits - renewing us when we confess our sins and strengthening us to do His will. As we meditate the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord in this season, may our services and meditations be a time of self examination, recuperation and refinement of our body, mind and soul for a better and new life in Christ.

Apostle Paul says: “If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you”(Romans 8:11). This was the experience of Paul, whose heart was dramatically changed by the resurrected Christ. It is also the experience of people all over the world who have “died” to their old ways so that Christ can live His life through them. This spiritual power is evident only in those who respond to the overwhelming evidence for Christ’s resurrection by acknowledging His lordship in their heart. Let us surrender our lives to the will of our Lord Jesus and experience a renewed life.

I urge you to participate in all the services in the Holy Week prayerfully and co-operate in the self denial collection. After all Christ has done for us, how can we do less than give Him our best? I wish and pray that the observance of the season be a time of thanksgiving for the sacrificial love of our Lord and an occasion for rededicating ourselves for a better witnessing.

Wish you all a Happy Easter!!

Yours in Christ’s Service,
Jacob Mathew Achen.
March 1, 2008.