Learning ‘ABC’ from St Joseph the Righteous.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me a sinner.

The liturgical calendar of the Indian Orthodox Church commemorates the revelation to St Joseph the Righteous (‘galyono-d-yawseph kino’) on the Sunday following the birth of St John the Baptist during the Advent season.

 St Joseph the Righteous- here is one man of whom we do not see any recorded words in the Holy Scripture but his actions speak volumes. Let us see his ‘ABC’s:

1) Action over apathy

From the little that we read about St Joseph the Righteous in the Holy Scripture, we can sense that he was a ‘doer’ and not merely a ‘listener’ of God’s commandments. Without any counter-questions or delay, he obeyed God’s will when the angel told him about the virgin birth of our Lord and to take St Mary as his wife  (ref-St Matthew 1:20-24); he responded affirmatively and immediately when the angel of the Lord asked him to take the young Child and His mother to Egypt to escape Herod’s plan to murder the infants (ref St Matthew 2:13-14); he did what the angel told him about returning to Israel post the death of Herod (ref St Matthew 2:19-21); he obeyed God’s warning and settled in the region of Galilee- in a city called Nazareth (ref St Matthew 2:22-23).

St Joseph the Righteous life teaches us that merely listening to God’s Word isn’t enough, it’s when we act on it that our obedience is counted, and our patience tested. We do not see him validating pros and cons of God’s commandments. St Joseph simply obeys and acts. And yes, it wasn’t easy for St Joseph. He would have been the laughing stock in his community when they saw St Mary-the Theotokos with the Child. They would have thought that he is the father, them being unaware of the virgin birth of our Lord. People would have said things like - ‘see the old man’s lust!’ and what not.

We may feel repentant and upbeat after hearing a sermon in the church. We may get moving spiritual messages through social media during this Advent season. However, if we are not able to transform our feelings we received from our senses into actions i.e. transforming our life or ways of living, then we are like the seeds that fell on the stony ground and among the thorns (ref St Matthew 13; Parable of the Sower). When tribulations came, or the worldly charm engulfed us, we allowed the feeble repentant voice to be subdued forever.

Like the seeds that fell on good ground, if we hear God’s Word, embrace it, transform and persevere in the journey, we may be able to produce fruit as the grace of God allows (ref St Mathew 13:23).

How many times have we chosen apathy and subdued our inner voice because that was perceived to be difficult?

2) Benevolence over bitterness

 The intention of St Joseph the Righteous not to publicly humiliate St Mary when she was found with the Child and the image of St Joseph lovingly looking at Baby Jesus makes him benevolence personified. We do not see a bitter man engulfed in hatred an irritation when he stumbles upon one challenge after another when the Lord chose him to take care of the Theotokos and the Child.

We love to point shortcomings in others either publicly highlighting them or by talking/gossiping about it. Have we ever thought of privately discussing such topic in a respectful and gentle manner with our spouse rather than sharing it with relatives or being disrespectful to our better halves in public places?

During the Advent season, we see the children being very excited to make the crib with Infant Jesus, the Theotokos, St Joseph, shepherds and animals. Yes, the story of a family is not just about a mother and a child. It includes the father as well. If the role of a father in the life of a newborn and new mother wouldn’t have been of importance we would not have seen St Joseph in the picture.

The topic of mental health is always a taboo more so if it is case of women. The emotional, physical, mental pressure during childbirth does strain a mothers’ physical well-being particularly mental health. Following childbirth, a significant number of women silently suffer what is known as postnatal depression or postpartum depression- a feeling of hopelessness, mood-swings, bouts of anger, feeling trapped and in some extreme cases- doing harm to self and the baby. This is compounded by the fact that our societies place the onus of raising the children exclusively on the mothers.

Babycare isn’t strictly ‘natural’- one needs to learn it. While your wife and now a new mother is learning at it; what has been your contribution as a new father? You might have had a hard day at work, but it is many times harder to manage a baby. Being empathetic to your wife, asking her how her day went, trying to spend more time with the baby while she can have rest are some of the ways to share the new parenting challenges.

During this Advent season, ponder whether you have allowed bitterness to engulf you or have you been benevolent to your spouse and children during this journey of fulfilling marital and parenting responsibilities?    

3) Calling over career

Fatherhood, be it biological or spiritual, is a calling. How many have given 10% of the importance to this ‘calling’ the way it is given to their careers? We know from the Holy Scriptures that St Joseph the Righteous was a carpenter. It would seem a big monetary loss to forego a career and run to Egypt to protect the Theotokos and the Child and then come back as the angel advised. However, for St Joseph, it was the calling that was more important than the profession.

In St Joseph, we see a religious and pious man who took care of the spiritual needs of the family. We see the simple family following all the applicable religious tenets of that time (like presenting the Child in the Temple)- “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.” (St Luke 2:39). It was in St Joseph’s home that the ‘Child grew and became strong in spirit’ (St Luke 2:40). We see the family going to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover (St Luke 2:41).

St Joseph the Righteous’ life is a great example for the fathers to emulate. Some questions for the fathers to ponder upon this Advent season- 

Am I living out the calling of being the leader/head of my family? Am I giving the right spiritual atmosphere to my kids at home? Do I strive to deepen mine and my family’s Orthodox faith/life through a sincere participation in the Holy Eucharist? I always reach  office at the right time always but do I take the same initiative and energy to make my family be in the church before namaskaaram starts?

May the prayers of St Joseph the Righteous help us to follow his 'ABC'.

Let us spare a moment and pray:

Lord, we entrust our fathers, grandfathers, and spiritual fathers in Your loving care. By the prayers of St Joseph the Righteous, O Lord, help them to listen to Your call, and bless them with godly wisdom and spiritual guidance to lead and direct their children in Your path. Keep them away from all vices. Strengthen them during periods of trial and temptation. O St Joseph, pray for us that we may serve the Infant Christ in obedience and love especially opening our hearts and arms to those who are weak, helpless, vulnerable and displaced.

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By the intercessions of St Mary-the Theotokos and St Joseph the Righteous, may the Lord have mercy upon us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

What’s in a name?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me a sinner.

Icon of the nativity of St John the Baptist

Our liturgical cycle takes us tomorrow to the Sunday commemorating the nativity of St John the Baptist- the forerunner of our Lord. We celebrate this event as the liturgical children’s day.

Wishing all a very happy liturgical children’s day in advance!

“Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.  His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”” – St Luke 1: 57-60 (Excerpt from the Holy Gospel reading for the Sunday commemorating the nativity of St John the Baptist- the forerunner of our Lord).

Your name holds a very important part of your identity. One could imagine the joy of Zecharias and Elizabeth when Elizabeth gave birth to a child in their old age. It was God’s gift to the pious couple. The child’s mother filled with Holy Spirit named him “John” -which meant “Yahweh’s gift” or “God is gracious”.

St John Chrysostom (~AD 347- 407) advises the parents that the names bestowed on their children is no small concern. He counsels thus:

“Let us afford our children from the first an incentive to goodness from the name that we give them. Let none of us hasten to call his child after his forebears, his father and mother and grandsire and great-grandsire, but rather after the righteous — martyrs, bishops, apostles. Let this be an incentive to the children. Let one be called Peter, another John, another bear the name of one of the saints…

How great is the virtue of which this is a token, this naming and calling by name, seeing that we shall find no other reason for the change of name save that it brings virtue to mind. “Thou shalt be called Cephas,” says Christ (John 1:42), “which is by interpretation Peter.” Why? Because thou didst acknowledge me.

And thou shalt be called Abraham. Why? Because thou shalt be the father of nations (Genesis 17: 4). And Israel, because he saw God (cf. Genesis 35:9-10). And so let us begin the care and training of our children from that point.

So let the name of the saints enter our homes through the naming of our children, to train not only the child but the father, when he reflects that he is the father of John or Elijah or James; for, if the name be given with forethought to pay honor to those that have departed, and we grasp at our kinship with the righteous rather than with our forebears, this too will greatly help us and our children. Do not because it is a small thing regard it as small; its purpose is to succour us.”¹

I wanted to also share some thoughts about one more spiritual child; the beloved child in Christ of St Paul- Timothy.

Let us contemplate on the following Scripture verses; “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I may also be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state”. (Philippians 2: 19; 20, NKJV).

The name ‘Timothy’ means ‘in God’s honour’/ ‘honouring God’. St Paul could only think about Timothy when he needed someone who would let go of his/her own needs and work for the cause of our Lord in the lives of Philippians. Not only to Philippians but whenever St Paul needed a selfless helping hand to send across a word of comfort, encouragement or rebuke to any church wherein he himself couldn’t go- therein Timothy offered his service. We see Timothy being sent to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:6); to the province of Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17) and of-course to Philippi.

Many of us are so concerned about own list of needs and demands (which are never-ending!) that serving the Lord is often the last thing that would feature in our minds and to-do lists. What is God’s will for us, we never bother to ask or pray about. For Timothy- serving his Lord, doing His will and obeying his spiritual father -St Paul was most important and he was very content with his second position as long as he got a chance to serve.

Timothy lived upto his name. He ‘honoured God’ through his selfless work and Christ centred life.

We have been given meaningful names during the time of our Baptism- let us spare some time to reflect on whether we have lived upto our name or

….does the world entice you to say- What’s in a name? 

Let us spare a moment and pray:

O St John the Baptist, fore-runner of our Lord and Saviour-Jesus Christ and the preacher of repentance, pray to the Gracious Lord that He help us- the weak and sinful beings, to renew our spirit through the gift of repentance. We remember with thanks the day of our holy Baptism; help us by your prayers, O St. John the Baptist, that we may keep the light of Christ burning within us always. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and to thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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By the intercessions of St John the Baptist, Lord have mercy upon us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

¹(Ref- St John Chrysostom, “An Address on Vainglory and The Right Way for Parents to Bring Up Their Children”, Page 16-18, Translation by Max L. W. Laistner, (Christianity and Pagan Culture in the Later Roman Empire), Cornell University Press.)

Elizabeth Kochamma

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me a sinner.

Belated wishes of the liturgical Women’s Day!

The last Sunday (02 December 2018) we commemorated the visitation of St. Mary-Theotokos to Elizabeth and this visitation is commemorated in the Indian Orthodox Church as “Women’s Day”.

What a wonderful fellowship and conversation do we see among these two women- the elder one displaying humility and the younger one proclaiming the blessing! (The Gospel Reading during the Divine Liturgy would be from the Gospel of St Luke 1:39-56).

Two weeks back we commemorated the annunciation to Zechariah, (liturgical ‘Parents Day’- Gospel Reading: St Luke 1:5-25), wherein we read about the annunciation to priest Zechariah by the angel concerning the birth of St John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In both these instances we see a heroic woman- Elizabeth- who like St Mary was heroic not in terms of physical valor but heroic in terms of the difficulties she faced with much hope and in saying ‘yes’ to God’s calling.

If Elizabeth would have lived in today times, we would have called her Elizabeth Kochamma, as she was priest Zechariah’s wife (‘Kochamma’ is a Malayalam term for a priest’s wife, and literally means ‘young mother’). 

The evangelist St Luke testifies- that she and the priest Zechariah ‘were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless’ (St Luke 1:9). She is mentioned as ‘righteous and blameless' together with her husband-priest.

Our early church father- St Cyril of Alexandria actually presents a detailed qualification and criterion for being a priest’s wife in his teaching on the New Testament priesthood (ref ‘On Worship in Spirit and in Truth’) and for Elizabeth, the evangelist St Luke himself testifies to her virtues. Inspite of the great sorrow she faced- of being childless and thus suffering shame in the society- she was a staunch support to her husband in his priestly duty. Priest Zechariah’s prayerful journey would have been collaborated with Elizabeth’s one, how else could the evangelist St Luke term both of them blameless and righteous?

In the visitation of St Mary and Elizabeth- we see an important role played by the kochammas in teaching the faith to others. In every parish or community there will be younger women like St Mary- like ‘St Mary went to the hill country of Judea with haste’, such women are eager to be a part of and being welcomed in the faith of the ‘bigger parish family’. Upon seeing such women, kochammas like St Elizabeth, are moved with thrilling joy to witness the birth of new life in faith and in the course of the journey we see the women blessing each other and glorifying the abundant mercies of God. What a joy for the Church!

I always love quoting what the rhetoric teacher of St John Chrysostom- Libanius, spoke of Christian women. When Libanius learned of the virtuous and courageous way St John Chrysostom’s mother had raised her family, he looked around at his pupils and said: “Great heavens, what remarkable women are to be found among the Christians!”

Let us remember the wonderful ministry of the kochammas/presbyteras/tassonis/matushkas –the unsung, unseen yet very evident support systems to the married ordained ministers who have chosen to work in our Lord’s vineyard. These women embrace and practically showcase the diaconate ministry of service and servanthood.

More importantly, do thank all the women in your life, who made those silent sacrifices for what you are today.

Let us spare a moment and pray:

“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24; NKJV).

O Gracious, ever-merciful Lord, help us to love You with all our mind, heart and soul, and to live according to Your teachings. Bless our priests and the kochammas of the married priests that they may live a life of virtue, godliness and righteousness. Nurture them with a spirit of understanding and virtue, strengthen them when faced with temptations and tribulations. Help them to serve you in holiness all the days of their life.”

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By intercessions of our foremothers in faith- St Mary the Theotokos and St Elizabeth. Lord have mercy upon us.

In Christ,

Rincy John