 |
| Fr. K.K Mathews (later HG Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan) |
In 1951, at
the age of 26, Mathukutty Semassan* (later His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas
Metropolitan of blessed memory) was ordained as a priest by His Grace Augen Mar
Timothios Thirumeni (later His Holiness Baselios Augen 1 Catholicose of blessed
memory). The newly ordained priest celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at Kadamattom
Church. At that time, few Orthodox parishioners of the St Andrews Church,
Secunderabad were looking for a priest and enquired if Fr. K.K. Mathews be
interested to take such responsibility.
Fr
Mathews was greatly encouraged by his uncle- Fr. KP Paulose- a known scholar of
the Malankara Orthodox Church to pursue postgraduate studies. Considering he
could get opportunities to study MSc there, Fr. Mathews agreed and thus he became
the Vicar of the Orthodox parish in Secunderabad. However, Mathews Achen was
unable to secure MSc admission immediately and his uncle asked him to come back
since he felt it was futile to continue at a place, where the young priest couldn’t
pursue postgraduate studies. Mathews Achen declined; being a small parish it would
be difficult for the parishioners to get a new priest and it was his duty to
take care of their spiritual needs after having agreed to take the church responsibility
was his response.
The first year was fully focused on the parish duties and the
parish made significant progress. Barnabas Thirumeni reminisces in his autobiography
that, had he got admission (for MSc course) in that year, he would not have
been able to fully commit to the parish responsibilities. Everything is beautifully
planned in God’s care. Mathews Achen was also able to get MSc admission the
following year. Below is an excerpt from Thirumeni’s autobiography about an interaction
he had with an IAF officer during his Secunderabad days:
*****************************
“I used to
have my meals at Taj Mahal hotel in Secunderabad. During one such mealtime visits
to the hotel, I happened to get acquainted with an Indian Air Force officer.
This officer was a Hindu by faith. One day, as we were coming out of the hotel after
finishing the meal, I felt a desire to share about Christ and His message with
him.
As our
conversation progressed, this officer remarked that Christ had also spoken
silly things as well. I asked what according to him were those teachings. He
responded- “didn’t the shepherd who went in search of the lost sheep endanger
the lives of the rest 99? Those 99 sheep are in a strange land without the care
of their shepherd. While caring for that one sheep, the shepherd forgot to think
of the safety of the remaining 99!”
I responded
that the shepherds of this world can only be present at one place at a time. However,
our Lord-the Heavenly Shepherd is Omnipresent; it is possible for Him to be
present at multiple places at one time. Our Lord can manifest His work on each
and every human being at the same time.
After
sharing this truth, I went to explain on why Christ taught the parable of the
lost sheep. The officer was pleased with my response.”
*****************************
What
Christ taught through the parable is that every human being is precious to God whether
or not he/she be accepted or loved by society. His Incarnation, the death on
the Cross, the Resurrection was all focussed around us. Those who are
struggling mentally, spiritually, emotionally remember this- Our Lord is a
loving and caring Shepherd; you are His prized possession!
“For
the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a
man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he
should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than
over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your
Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”- St
Matthew 18:11-14
May
the prayers and intercessions of the holy fathers be our refuge always!
In Christ,
Rincy John
Ref: ‘Daivathinte Krupa’- Autobiography of His Grace
Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan, March 2011, Pg-26-29. Image reference page #-
Pg 45.
*It was Mr
CI George, the grandnephew of St Gregorios of Parumala, who instructed the
newly ordained Achen to adopt the name of Mathews instead of Mathukutty which
Achen happily agreed.
No comments:
Post a Comment