Joseph a Model by Rev. Dr. Prakash K George. Rev. Dr. Prakash K George.

Joseph a Model for Christian Discipleship

                                                                        Rev. Dr. Prakash K George.

Bible Passage: Mathew 1: 18- 25

Advent is a time of visits. We find in the bible many instances where God visits human beings; nature, human and God meeting together in unique ways etc. In all these encounters the presence of God transforms the lives of people. Human presence inspires and empowers people to live their lives in its fullness. These visits help ordinary people to take up God’s mission with greater commitment and enthusiasm. It was in such encounters that, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah and others were entrusted with different tasks. The message of the advent was different to each one of them. But all of them responded showing great commitment and enthusiasm. They were so faithful to their commitment that even when they had to face the hardest of experiences in their lives they did not fumble or flee from their responsibilities.

So as we begin this meditation let us pray to God that he may visit us when we are lonely, fearful, frustrated and helpless.

In the gospel portion of Mathew 1: 18-25, we read about the special responsibility entrusted to Joseph. The annunciation of Mary often overshadows the annunciation of Joseph. But his annunciation is different from that of Mary. The annunciation as recorded by Mathew may lack the poetic beauty of Luke’s account, but this whole episode has its own dramatic force and theological insight. This makes it well worthy of proclamation and occurs in the liturgy of the last week of advent. This annunciation occurs at a time when Joseph was going through an extraordinary crisis in his personal life.

Joseph: Model for Christian Discipleship

Mathew portrays Joseph as a model for Christian discipleship. Joseph is pictured as righteous even though he did not strictly adhere to the law but acted out of care for the dignity of another person. A righteous person is the one who respects justice and lives in the spirit of Law by obeying his commandments. Joseph was living in the spirit of the law and did not just literally obey it. His attitudes, decisions and commitment are exemplary which proves that he lived with a higher righteousness of the kingdom of God.

In the world of his time, shame and honour played significant roles. He knew the great suffering that ‘shame and humiliation’ could cause in the lives of people, especially in the life of a girl who had the formal betrothal. He was sensitive to the hurt and shame that his righteous act could cause her. So he decides to divorce Mary quietly. Though he was righteous person, Joseph did not manifest his righteousness at Mary’s expense: “He was unwilling to expose her to public disgrace” or “to make a public spectacle of her.” Accordingly Joseph was going to divorce her ‘quietly’- not in the sense that no one would know it, but in the sense that there would be no formal inquiry into Mary’s behaviour.

Often in our spiritual journey the problems we encounter are from the so called ‘righteous the people who want to display themselves as righteous and holy at the expense of the other. The prayer of the Pharisee in the parable of Luke 18: 9-14 is a great example of this. We too may sometimes use the opportunities to prove that we are better than the other.

During this crisis time, he experiences that divine presence and counsel. He received God’s revelation in a dream, in which the angel of the God tells him not to break the engagement as he had planned, but to take Mary to his house, for her pregnancy is of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was asked to keep his marriage to Mary, to accept her as his wife. He was asked to name the baby ‘Jesus’ and thus to become an adoptive father, thus to become a crucial link in the genealogical chain that stretched from Abraham at David to Jesus. But how did Joseph recognize this as the voice of God? He knew that God always speaks for the weaker ones and God has a preference for the poor and the most vulnerable ones.

The roles Joseph played for the sake of Mary and the child Jesus are also model of discipleship. He acts as a midwife to Mary. He was called to show extreme care and kindness. He stands beside both of them,  giving care and protection. He has to travel with Mary and the child to Egypt leaving his village and home, then back to Judah and then to Nazareth. In the last episode where we meet Joseph for the last time in the Gospels he was again with Mary assisting her to find the missing boy Jesus, sharing her very concern and pain. This is very explicit in the words of Mary in the Jerusalem temple where she meets her son “Child why have you treated us like this? Look your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” Luke 2:48

The message of the advent is ‘God with us’- Emmanuel. Jesus is the one who is always with us in all our experiences of life. The message of Christmas is that God is with us, God is accompanying us in our life journey, in all experiences of life. Joseph is called to be with Mary and the child Jesus accompanying them in their most difficult times.

Can we be good companions to others especially to those who are lonely and vulnerable so that they may experience divine care and security? Can we be with people in their hard times, accompanying them in their difficult times of journey? Joseph was with Mary and Jesus in all their experiences of life at the early years of their married life. He acts not only as a midwife but becomes a refugee for them travelling with them to Egypt then back to Israel and then to Nazareth.

Joseph is a model for us in our country. He is a disciple who listens to the voice of God, wide awake. He was called to lead an awkward, risky and open ended life.

The last verse of this text highlights another characteristic of his commitment to God’s call. Nothing is mentioned about his marital relationships in his dreams, but he was showing extra ordinary behaviour for the sake of the mission God has entrusted him. He was ready to walk an extra mile to maintain the responsibility God entrusted to him.

 In Latin word for accompaniment is ‘encompance’ which means ‘breaking the bread together’. Not only at Eucharist, but can we break the bread together with the people whom we minister, sharing their pain and joy.

Following the Divine Presence by Rev. Eappen Varghese

Following the Divine Presence

Rev. Eappen Varghese

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. For our today’s devotion let’s meditate on Acts 16: 6-10.

Bible Passage: Acts 16: 6-10

Acts of the Apostles is called as the exodus of the New Testament. It gives a vivid description of the Christian Mission and tells us about the Holy Spirit. A Dove with its head facing upwards symbolises the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the selected passage we see the presence of the Holy Spirit and how this presence directs Paul and his companions to new locale and moves them ahead in their mission.

Follow the presence is looking beyond our stands:

The previous chapter deals about the Jerusalem Council, wherein Paul makes his stand regarding supporting the gentiles in the issue of gentile circumcision. Paradox it may seem, in ch 16 the same Paul asks Timothy to get circumcised. We should see this contradiction as the directive from the Holy Spirit to make him look beyond his stand.

In this passage the Holy Spirit guides Paul not to travel to Asia, Bithunia and rather guides them to Macedonia. When the Holy Spirit restricts Paul, it is a call given to try out a new strategy of mission. Paul’s travel to Asia might have been a result of following a specific victorious pattern of mission. The presence of Holy Spirit challenges us to think beyond following a set pattern. We need not restrict ourselves by just following a path that has found victory and cling on to certain stands. We need to look beyond it and find out new possibilities. Here the Holy Spirit confronts these things which they felt as important and better.

We need to take courageous decisions and stand in our lives. But our stand should not be absolutised in itself and made it as perfect one. Charlie Chaplin’s quotes his childhood memoirs in the book ‘Childhood’. He quotes a scene from a circus company where he used to do menial jobs. There was an artist who practiced very hard and gained expertise in balancing the billiards stick on his head with the entire billiards ball on top of it. But when he performed this impeccable feat in front of the crowd, nobody applauded. The manager said to the dejected artist that, ‘With the way you did it, people felt it as an easy task. Try falling the ball and balancing it. Then they may value your efforts.” To this the artist replied “It is impossible for me to do it as I have gained so lot of perfection in it.”

Sometimes perfection in itself becomes a failure.

Following the presence is looking beyond the set target:

When we read from verse 11-15, we see Paul’s confrontation with Lydia in Philippi. The narrative states that Paul on the Sabbath day waits by the riverside for prayer. He expects people to join him. He might have had a target plan of mission but God’s plan was completely different. Verse 14 clearly describes that God opened the heart of a woman entrepreneur named Lydia. This in turn helped Paul and his companions to set up their mission work in Philippi.

When we set up target points and make it as fixed, we might often miss certain things. It is not wrong to set up target plans, but in the end it is God who directs it. When we follow the presence of the Holy Spirit we need to look beyond our set target. When we broaden our vision, we might fall into some unexplored avenues. Often it may lead us to sad situations, but we should submit ourselves to the will of God and let God work. Lydia popularised them and continuously provided aid for mission.

Also Paul could have easily leveraged upon the fame and friendly nature of the Lady having the spirit of divination. Here Paul sets an example by discerning the evil intentions behind it. Though this lands him and Silas in prison, it results in winning the family of the Jailor towards Christ. We should have the discerning power to identify the evil intentions of people who try to impress us for their personal motives. We should not set our aim to impress others; rather our works should create a long lasting impact in their lives.

Following the presence is being confined in God.

From verse 19-34, we come across the after effects of Paul’s conversation with the lady having the spirit of divination. It lands them in jail and there we witness the miraculous act of God saving them. Though Paul was freed from the prison they do not try to escape. Even in the prison they were confined with God and became the prisoners of Godly presence. Their courage of staying back in the prison might have shocked the Jailor. The Jailor thus submits himself to that power which confined Paul and his companions in jail.

When we are confined in God, our mission becomes Salvific. If a mission cannot bring a new order of life then it is an incomplete mission. There is no mission without soterilogy. In the following verses from 31-34, we see the Jailor’s conversion. These verses describe some of the pre-requisites of creating a new order of life as seen in the life of the Jailor. Preaching the word of God; the Jailor then heals their wounds (an example of confession); entire house baptised (an expression of sacrament); fellowship with family (a symbol of church)

There is a famous quote associated with St. James the brother of Jesus and the elder of the early church. It says, “His knees were like that of a camel. Because he was in constant prayer.” Often lack of proper prayer life obstructs miracle to happen in our lives. Being confined to God makes miracles and creates a new order in our lives.

We have come across one more Christmas season. Advent is a time to renew ourselves.  We need to review over the set patterns, and stands which we have taken. Our targets and aims should be such that we also allow God to intervene and act in it. We need to be confined in God so that miracles do happen in our lives and our ministry.

May the almighty God bless us all!!

SHARING GOOD NEWS, by Rev.Dr.K G Pothen

SHARING GOOD NEWS, EMBRACING STORIES

We are entering  the Advent season one more time. Advent is the celebration of God’s visit to His people.  We see God visiting his people in the Old Testament history- those are the special times in which God interferes in the life of the people. In the New covenant, it is God’s visit to humanity in the incarnate son, Jesus the Christ.

Advent brings to our minds the event of Jesus birth, which is the great story that is told and being shared. It also brings to our minds the stories of people connected to the main story. We also see how these events form and shape the lives of people.

Two Sundays ago we read the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, the old couple who had no children, yet their story turned out to be one giving birth to John the Baptist, the one who prepared for God’s visit. Last Sunday we had the Gospel reading on the visit of the angel to Mary, announcing God’s choice of her person for the special vocation of giving birth to the Messiah. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading, which has been read for our meditation, is about the occasion of the meeting between Elizabeth and Mary.

As we know, all three readings are from the Gospel according to Luke. We have come to learn from the New Testament scholars that Luke was from outside the Palestinian Christian community, probably from Antioch, belonging to the Greek Christian community. He was a Physician and his context was the urban setting of the Mediterranean, in the Greco-Roman empire. Luke wrote the Gospel around the turn of the first century for a new generation of Christian community, many of whom were part of the rich, urban and influential society. Luke, writing to Theophilus remembers that there were eye witnesses, who wrote on the life of Jesus Christ earlier. Now he wanted to write after careful investigation of the events concerning the life of Jesus, particularly those which give clear insights on engaging the new situation. In the new setting where the Christian community was economically and socially influential, Luke emphasized the significant roles of the least people like women and the poor in the economy of salvation.

Thus, Luke mentions stories which no other evangelist does. Though, as a physician, he belonged to the educated and upper strata of the society, Luke had the sensitivity to see the significance of God’s interventions with humanity taking place in and around the least and the last. Luke had a special eye to see the work of God for the least, the last and the lost. The people/ the families mentioned around the advent are the least ones: Zachariah and Elizabeth, the family of a priest, and Mary and Joseph, Mary, an Anawim, belonging to the poor and the oppressed community, and Joseph belonging to those who kept the law, the Torah, very earnestly. It is mentioned in vs.36 that Elizabeth and Mary were relatives. They were ordinary women, who could exercise no power or influence, therefore of no consequence. They would not have been regarded as having any worth.

The passage we have read has two sections. In the first section, we see Mary visiting Elizabeth and in the second section we read Mary’s song of praise.

1. The meeting between Mary and Elizabeth is characterized by expressions of deep joy. It is a meeting which brings mutual experience of joy. Mary visits Elizabeth in the hill country.

They are relatives and the knowledge that they are chosen to be part of God’s plan of salvation, make them to be all the more joyful. They rejoice for the fact that they are partners with God in the salvation event, and they are contented in their roles. In every meeting of the people the whole person is involved. A meeting together of people can bring negative emotions and consequences, in the mind and in the body. But, here, this meeting is one which is deeply joyful and it makes its impact on their body and mind. When, Mary greets Elizabeth, the child leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. The meeting between people can certainly result in deeply rejoicing experiences which involves both the body and mind. It also results in the joyful exclamation of Elizabeth that Mary is a blessed woman and the fruit of her womb is also blessed. Elizabeth is much older in age than Mary, yet she is willing to acknowledge Mary as the mother of our Lord.

The meeting between Elizabeth and Mary speaks about the significant manner in which people meet. It is not an occasion of humiliating the other, nor expressing contempt for the other. It is one of acknowledging, recognizing and affirming the other’s role in the plan of God and bringing joy to the other. Such relationships do not look for anything in return in particular, but it seeks and acknowledges the other’s goodness and what other’s can do in the building of the kingdom of God.

2. The second part of the passage is from vs 46 to 55, which is Mary’s Song of Praise to God, the Magnificat. It is a spontaneous pouring forth of Mary’s adoration and praise to God. When the angel visits Mary in the earlier part of the chapter, her conversation with the angel reveals that she is fearful. Later she submits herself saying, “I am the Lord’s servant and let it be to me according to your word”. But Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, their meeting, conversation and affirmation, helps Mary to turn to an attitude of praise. It makes her to look at these events from the perspective of praise.

As we are aware, Mary’s song of praise is also called her song of revolution, a song of revolutionary spirituality. It is very similar to Hanna’s song of praise in I Samuel 2. Mary’s song of praise centers on the mighty works of God who delivers the poor, and brings judgment on the unjust and those who misuse their power. Mary was part of the Anawim, the poor who always made petitions to God for their deliverance and justice. Mary’s song of praise, therefore, is not a lip service, but a deeply felt response to God’s deliverance of the poor, by choosing a person like her for giving birth to the Messiah. The Song highlights the following:

1. God indeed listens to the petitions of the poor and brings justice to the marginalized.

2. God fills the hungry with good things.

3. Mary is emphatic that the unjust will be stripped of their power.

 4. God is merciful to remember his promise, his covenant.

God’s deliverance of the poor, the hungry, and God’s mercy are all remembered here. Further, God’s justice and judgment are also emphasized. In an important sense Mary’s song of praise is continuous with the Hebrew spirituality.

There is an important connection between Mary’s song of praise and the ministry of Jesus. We can see that this is due to Mary’s role as mother and religious teacher in Jesus’ childhood. We can see that these emphases have gone in to the teachings and ministry of Jesus. Mary had such immeasurable influence on the life and vocation of Jesus. Jesus blesses the hungry and opens the banquet doors to the poor. As Mary prays for the unjust powers, Jesus had confrontation with unjust powers. As Mary prays for compassion for Israel, Jesus is full of compassion for Israel. As Mary is concerned about the redemption of Israel, Jesus makes heartfelt prayer for Jerusalem. Therefore in Mary’s song of praise we see her spirituality. We can also see that this spirituality is passed on to Jesus.

As we prepare for the birth of Jesus, it is important to remember the message of this passage. One is to make our times of meeting as time to celebrate God’s goodness and the manner in which God has guided us in varied ways. The second is to remember that God’s visit becomes meaningful for those who passionately look for God’s interventions and desire for God’s reordering of things. Let us pray that this advent season will be a meaningful one in our lives.

Mary the Mother of Jesus:by Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios

Mary the Mother of Jesus: A Prototype of Radical Discipleship.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthews Mar Makarios

Advent season is the time to remember the events related to the birth of Jesus Christ. Every Christmas season is the reminder of the salvific act of God to redeem the fallen humanity. It pronounces the unconditional love of God who sacrificed his only son for saving the world.

 For our devotion, the scripture portion I have chosen is from the Gospel according to St. Luke 1: 26-38.

Bible Passage: Luke 1: 26-38

The theme for our devotion is titled: Mary the Mother of Jesus a Prototype of Radical Discipleship.

At the time of Mary, the mother of Jesus, a woman accused of any kind of sin was severely punished. If it was the sin of adultery the punishment was to stone to death. It was at such a time that the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Greetings favoured one!, The Lord is with you”.

Proclamation of Angel: A Divine call:

Here the angel Gabriel acts as the messenger of God. The Greek and Hebrew term for angel,  angellos and malach reflects the same meaning. We can find many instances in the New Testament, wherein angels were sent to proclaim message. In the New Testament we see the visit of angel to Mary, angel assuring Joseph of Mary’s faithfulness, the angel visiting the shepherds etc. Also in the life of Jesus, we come across an angel of God strengthening Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In the above passage, verse 38 reflects the perfect submission of Mary which sets her as an epitome of discipleship.

Let us meditate on the factors that help us to lead a radical discipleship:

Holy Spirit leads us to radical discipleship:

The birth of Jesus Christ is the result of Holy Spirit conception in Virgin Mary. It means that Holy Spirit was specially functioning at the time of birth of Jesus. In Jewish thought, Holy Spirit had certain definite functions like, to convey God’s truth to men; to teach the prophets the message to be proclaimed and also in God’s act of creation. Thus Holy Spirit not only brought words to men but also enabled them to proclaim it.

In John 20: 19-23, we come across the missionary commission by Jesus. Amidst the darkness and fear of Jews, the risen Christ enters the room and proclaims the message of peace to the disciples. Verse 22 says, “…. Receive the Holy Spirit”. Here Jesus attests the importance of Holy Spirit in the future ministry and works of the disciples. Through it he establishes the continuing presence of Jesus in our mission. Giving away of spirit is the sign of this mission commissioning. In John 16: 8 we see the guiding force of the Holy Spirit. Thus work of the spirit is to lead us to the fuller dimension of truth. Our church should be a spirit filled community and discipleship should be a spirit filled experience. In verse 35, the angel says that the Holy Spirit will come down on Mary. It highlights the encouraging presence of Holy Spirit in the life of Mary.

Cross as the reward of Discipleship:

In John 28: 24-28, we witness the discourse between Jesus and Thomas. When Thomas refuses to believe the resurrection of Christ, Jesus shows him the marks of cross. Jesus here proclaims the cost of discipleship. Through this Jesus also tries to convey the message that in discipleship one should not expect a reward more than the cross. God send Jesus as the first missionary to this world and through commissioning the disciples, he challenges them to bear the cross. It is said that Commissioning has no promises but lots of Challenges. Radical discipleship is to understand this truth that in the very term of discipleship lie many challenges. When Thomas believes the resurrection of Christ, he proclaims the most supreme Christological Pronouncement:  My Lord and God.

The basis of discipleship is self denial which is very well highlighted in the life of Mary. When Gabriel proclaims the good news to Mary, she very well understands that the good news she will bear could make her an object of social stigma. By fully acknowledging the fact, she affirms this verse of submission.

Conclusion:

The word Immanuel: God with us, accentuate the same meaning implied in John 1:14 i.e the word became flesh. It declares the continuing presence of God in our lives. Post ascension Jesus’ asserted his presence by the commissioning of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Psalmist say Even though I walk through the deepest valley. I face no fear.

Though church has only one mission, it has in it various ministries. Ministry is the praxis of mission and it enlightens the whole inhabited world. The purpose of mission is to get the fullness of life. By emulating the life style of Mary we can reshape our lives to be a fruit bearing disciple of Christ.

May the Almighty Lord strengthen us to submit ourselves like Mary and make our discipleship an offering pleasing to the Lord.

Dedication of Main Gate

                     The Dedication service of the newly constructed Main Gate will be held on Wednesday, 5th December 2012 at 3 p.m. The Most Rev.Dr.Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan will be leading the service.

Our Seminary Faculty and BD Students