WHEN GUIDED BY GOD
Fr Robert Chavarananickal V.C.
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). The attitude of Jesus was not different from this. To those who came to test him, Jesus says, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” ( Lk 20:25). At another time, Jesus asks Peter to pay the tax. “Go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me” (Mt 17:27). From all this we understand better what the attitude of a believer should be towards the nation. As we celebrate our Independence Day on August 15, let us dedicate our rulers at all levels to God so that they may rule the people with righteousness and justice. “In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, until the moon is no more” (Ps 72:7). Let us also live like ideal citizens, keeping the commandments of God. “You shall keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and observe them, so that the land to which I bring you to settle in may not vomit you out” (Lev 20:22).
Magazine: August 10

LET US CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
Fr. Robert Chavarananickal V.C.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and confess it with our lips, others also become part of that salvific experience. Healing the crippled beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem Temple, Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (Acts 3:6). As we commemorate St. Thomas, the apostle of India, let us also come to the deeper experience of faith whereby we too believe in our heart that Jesus is the Lord and confess it with our lips. By that let Jesus be glorified by our lives and the lives of others. “Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).
Magazine: July 10

Let’s be Children of Light
Fr Robert Chavarananickal V.C.
In the beginning, during the creation of the universe, God saw that light was good. He separated light from darkness (Gen 1:4). But the Power of Darkness, the symbol of evil, influenced man. As a result, sins, curses and death afflicted man. The dark powers of evil and death fail utterly because of Jesus, the Light of the World. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined” (Is 9:2). It is the absolute authority of God against sin and death that we see in the resurrection of Christ. By dying on the cross Jesus vanquished sin and he resurrected.
Magazine: April 10

CHRISTMAS THE FIESTA OF LIFE
Fr Robert Chavarananickal, V.C.
God said to Abraham that he would make him a great nation and he would be the father to generations innumerable. When a child is born, a new generation blooms, on this earth. During this Yuletide, let each family take decisions conducive to the nourishment and growth of life. Let the message of life that comes out from the stable in Bethlehem be the clarion call for this momentously beneficial change.
Magazine: December 09

JESUS GIVES ABSOLUTE FREEDOM
Fr Robert Chavarananickal V.C., Associate Edito
We acquire total freedom only through Jesus Christ. If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed (Jn 8:36). Those who aim solely at material gains, wallow in the mire of sin unaware of the divine providence, will not be entitled to acquire this freedom of the children of God that is wrought through Jesus Christ. They will, as the Israelites did during their journey towards the Promised Land, spend their days in doubt and fear. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption (Rom 8:15). So let us endeavour to acquire the freedom of the Children of God granted by Jesus Christ. The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Rom 8:21). Even as we celebrate Indias Independence Day on 15 August and pray for our Motherland, let us also try to enter the freedom promised by Jesus. Freedom of Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Gal 5:1).
Magazine: August 09

MAY THEY ALL BE ONE!
Fr. Robert Chavarananickal V.C.
The legacy of St. Thomas, the apostle of India, belongs to the entire India. But unfortunately the Apostolic Church that received its faith from St. Thomas has been fragmented. What Jesus wished and wanted was that all be bonded in unity. I askon behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me(Jn 17:20-21). As we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas on 3rd July, we, who received the heritage of faith from him, should pray for the unity of all those people who received the light of faith from the same Apostle so that, they may all be one.
Magazine: July 09