St.Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, UK
A Church of Holy Scripture And Sacred Tradition

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READ MESSAGES/ PRAYERS  FOR H.G. MAKARIOS

Blessings to all from the newly formed Diocese of UK, Europe and Africa. 

 A Blessed and Happy St. Thomas Day to all! St. Thomas Day is celebrated on July 3^rd by the believers of Malankara Orthodox Church which was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle.

St. Thomas is also known as ‘Didymus’ which means ‘twin’ and also ‘Judea’. Thomas is the Aramaic translation of the Greek work Didymus. It was because two fingers on the hand of St. Thomas were joined that he received this name. Another tradition claims that it was because he was born as the twin brother of Adai. We do not have much historical records about the life and work of St. Thomas. It is in the Gospel according to St. John that we get a glimpse of the personality of St. Thomas.

After the resurrection of our Lord, St. Thomas evangelized around Palestine. After this he was sent to India. He arrived as the architect of the palace of King Gondaphorus. A merchant by the name of Abannis also accompanied St. Thomas. We see evidence for all this in the ancient document of Acts of Judas Thomas. Evidence is available in the present day which demonstrate that Gondaphorus was a historical figure. Coins bearing the name of this king has been found in Punjab during the 19th century. Scholars argue that Gondaphorus is the Parthian king who governed the territories of present day Afghanistan, Beluistan, and Punjab. If we accept this we would need to assume that St. Thomas did his mission work in the Northern parts of India. However the ancient Christian churches are not present there.

After St. Thomas laid the foundation for the church in Kerala, he traveled as far as Malacca, and China to spread the gospel. He returned to India and became a martyr at Mylapore. In spite of the lack of evidence, the presence of the historical church in Kerala gives credibility to this claim.

In St. John’s Gospel a serious place is given to St. Thomas. In the other gospels, with the exception to the lone mention among the list of the twelve apostles, St. Thomas is not mentioned.

We receive the picture of a brave apostle from the portrayal in St. John’s gospel. In the days following the resurrection of our Lord, when the other apostles hid themselves in the upper room, St. Thomas was brave enough to be outside.

 In Greek drama there is a technique of introducing an insignificant character in order to introduce a twist in the plot and a message. St. Thomas holds such a place in the gospel of St. John. St. Thomas makes his bold presence felt thrice in the gospel of St. John. St. Thomas’ proclamation prior to the raising of Lazarus is notable. He encourages his fellow disciples and says boldly says, “Let us also go so that we may die with him” (St. John 11:16). The ultimate goal for all Christians is to die and resurrect with Christ. This courage is what the bold St. Thomas proclaims.  

On another occasion a question posed by St. Thomas creates the setting for the Lord to reveal a great truth. To the question of St. Thomas that “How can we know the way?”, Jesus responds by his most famous proclamation, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (St. John 14:6).  The foundational thought of Christianity is revealed in this statement.

 Thirdly St. Thomas’ proclamation of faith stands as the ground for all confessions of faith. When St. Thomas confesses Jesus as “My Lord and my God” (St. John 20:28) he stands as the representative of all believers. While the disciples were content with seeing the risen Lord, St. Thomas publicly expressed the desire to touch the risen Christ.  

Orthodox Christians living outside India can be proud that they are the heirs of the great St. Thomas Tradition. The bright light of the gospel has begun to dim in the Western world. The immigrant community living outside Kerala must take up the torch handed to them by the great Apostle St. Thomas. This community has to act as a beacon of hope in the Western world just as St. Thomas courageously served with his life two thousand years ago.

 May the intercession of St. Thomas guide us all!

Sincerely in Our Lord 

Mathews Mar Thimothios

 DAILY MESSAGES FOR MEDITATION GREAT LENT 2009

Dear friends

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ at the commencement of this Great Lent.  I would like to share with you some humble thoughts by making it one on each day taken from the Book of Exodus. May all of you have a very blessed and meaningful Holy Lent.

Prayers.

Ab-Achan

DAY2:             .the more they were oppressed the more they multiplied and spread. Ex 1: 12

Not that oppression should be a norm for growth and strengthening but oppressive moments and difficulties in life should be transformed to a means to grow. When we look back, (or even now), we may have bitter experiences, things might have taken quite an unexpected turn, when we were expecting good results it might have gone the other way round or we may be living in the fear of redundancy… Whatever happens, life will move on but can we have a little faith that we are in the safer hands?

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses". Are we among them? There will be many sources of comforts in this world but the real source of comfort is Him.

DAY 3: His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Ex: 2: 4

The characters are Miriam and child Moses. It was with the tyrant’s imposing law that the destiny of the child became like that but with several reasons in life our siblings may put into difficult situations. Is it not our responsibility to watch them over, at least standing in a distance to ensure their safety?  We may have enough and more reasons to be selfish about our life and it is only reasonable to think about ourselves. Public may even mock us when we worry about others; being a Christian we have no choice but to think, pray and act for others as well. That may even bring down our ‘selfish’ worries.

DAY 4: Though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. Ex. 3: 2

This is about the ‘Burning Bush’ that Moses has seen in the desert. Early Church Fathers has brought a comparison of ‘Burning Bush’ with holy Mother Mary- Jesus Christ as the burning fire in Mary; the fire which has not burned her down- yet it was a fire. We would have ‘fire’ in our life but let us be convinced that it would not burn us down. On the contrary it may even give light and wisdom to others which may lead to the liberation to people in slavery. Let us keep this fire burning in us.

DAY 5:  Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them… Ex. 3: 16

This is the Divine instruction that Moses has received on the way he would commence the act of liberation of the ‘people of God’. For the liberation it is not any momentary miraculous way that has been accepted whereas the initial attempt was to form a ‘team’. God raised Moses and was asking him to meet the ‘elders’. It is God’s wish that one should act communally and not becoming dictatorial. How far we could be amiable and comfortable in forming a team or working in a team? This is applicable in all the walks of life- in family, at work place etc.

DAY 6:            P"The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us”, Ex. 3: 18

This is what God wants Moses and the team to tell Pharaoh in their first meeting asking freedom for the people. The experience of Moses was quite individualistic but God does not want to see Moses to make that as a personal gain but it should go as a collective knowledge. In continuation with what we have discussed yesterday this essentially pointing towards the importance of working in a team. Moses would have said this emphatically, “I met God, and He wants Me to tell you…” but even though the revelatory experience was personal the process of implementing was to meet a group of people first and then taking that group to the oppressor to tell him that God told ‘them’.

May this Great Lent give us greater understanding to form good teams and give us the courage to slash down our ego to make our personal gains more collective.

DAY 7:           “O Lord, I have never been eloquent”, Ex. 4: 10

This was the response of Moses when he was chosen by God but he was given a clear sense of vocation to take up his responsibility. When we have responsibilities to dispense we may tend to come out with excuses. This could happen in our work place, at our home, Church and many areas of confrontations but then what God asks Moses seems to be a right thing to ask ourselves, “who gave you (mouth) this?”. No matter in what area we are working- whether in medical field, in business, in teaching, in management, etc.- God wants us to have a deep sense of vocation.

 DAY 8:            "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Ex. 4: 13  

This is again Moses, who was not convinced about his vocation. He had this assurance that he would get what he needs to speak but still does not had the courage to go. He does not seem to be doubtful about the noble reason behind the whole show. He is not debating about the need for it whereas he is trying to escape by asking God to send “someone”.  

We would have opinion about the failure of the systems. We may talk and debate about the lack of enthusiasm and malfunction of the management. Alongside if we closely observe ourselves, we may have this attitude, let ‘someone’ go and work for its betterment and it is not up to me. Can we recognize our calling before we expect others to respond?

 DAY 9  ;                “… let them go and gather their own straw”. Ex. 5: 7  

The people in slavery were in the making of bricks when Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh claiming there liberation. Until then the people were provided with the raw materials for the bricks but as their ‘leader figures’ claimed for their freedom the king asked the task masters not to even provide their raw materials while the task remained the same.

 There are no easy ways to liberation or success. An easy attainment may end up with the failure of knowing what we have really achieved. Not that we should glorify the struggles always but it definitely have an unseen positive side which would help us to value the real cost of what we have.

DAY 10  :          “… let them go and gather their own straw”. Ex. 5: 7 (Part 2)  

he oppressor is asking people better results by not providing any resources. Initially he has provided raw materials for the production but later on when the freedom was demanded he stopped providing it.

The present world could demand results from us without resources. The pressures of our life situation sometimes may put us into such circumstances that we may even asked to give what we do not have. Will our endurance work? Or can we just avoid such situation? The peace that this Lenten time would offer may give us better speculations.

 DAY 11:         “… but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage”. Ex. 6: 9

 In spite of the loosened hearts of the people, Moses tried to reiterate the promise of liberation and the anticipated land of ‘milk and honey’ but the people could not keep up with the pace of hope that Moses was having because of the ‘discouragement and cruel bondage’. Our speculations of hope would be affected if we are in any kind of bondage. Can we think of any kind of bondage that we are in? (… hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions? as St. Paul tried to ask us. Well, let us refresh ourselves in this Great Lent to have clear speculations in life.

DAY 13:           What does this ceremony mean to you?' Ex. 12: 26

A Tradition is been set for the festival of Passover. Clear instructions have been given on the way that has to be observed. It is been instructed that the same feast has to be carried over through the generations to come. The people has to treasure all these experience in their heart so that when they are asked by the coming generations on what does this ceremony mean to one person they have to be well equipped with a proper answers.

Precisely (a) We have to keep the values of today to share that for next generations, (b) All these ceremonies and observations should mean something to us and (c) All the ceremonies, rituals and celebrative feasts have a contextual past. Can we explore the observation of the Great Lent to let ourselves know on what it exactly mean to us?

DAY14:      “…keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come”. Ex. 12: 42

This is about the very moment of liberation from slavery. The reason stated for the ‘vigil’ was that Lord was on vigil for the crowd so that they will be brought out of slavery. We could ponder on quite a few points here.
- In order to loosen up the yokes of slavery one has to be on vigil. Knowingly or unknowingly we would be under several yokes.
- The ever protecting vigil of God has to be reciprocated with our vigil. This could be through the act of worship, observation of fasting or even through our dedicated life.
- This ‘vigil’ is not a momentary act with a fleeting effect but this is for even the generations to come. When we are in the worshipping community we are not alone. The whole of our fore generations are with us while we bear the hope of the coming generation.

DAY15:            Moses took the bones of Joseph with him… Exodus 13: 19

After years of enslavement the people in slavery are liberated and the exodus was to their homeland. Their forefather Joseph made to swear an oath (Genesis 50: 25) with the next of kin that his bones will be taken to their homeland on their return and now about four hundred years have passed; and now the people on their return are keeping the promise.

We too have promises to keep in our life.
The ‘seal of Holy Baptism’ that we bear is an outcome of the promises of our fore generations. Each time when we take Holy Communion we are making yet another promise.

We too have memories to carry in our exodus.
Those could be the legacy that our forefathers had left for us.
Let us live those inheritances! the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light. Ex. 13: 21

The ever protecting presence of God is with us. The nature itself gives us the antidotes. The ‘cloud’ of the day and the ‘fire’ of the night are remedial to the scorching sunlight and the dark and cold of night. If we panic ourselves at alarming situations or if we loose our heart from having faith we may tend to ignore the readily available antidotes. It is quite important to remember that “the kingdom of God is within you." (St. Luke 17: 21)

DAY16:            the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light. Ex. 13: 21

The ever protecting presence of God is with us. The nature itself gives us the antidotes. The ‘cloud’ of the day and the ‘fire’ of the night are remedial to the scorching sunlight and the dark and cold of night. If we panic ourselves at alarming situations or if we loose our heart from having faith we may tend to ignore the readily available antidotes. It is quite important to remember that “the kingdom of God is within you." (St. Luke 17: 21)

DAY17:             It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Ex. 14: 12

The Egyptian army is chasing the freed people in exodus. Everybody has the right to live; agonizing in their destiny they are murmuring to the leaders who took initiative in the liberation. The outcome of the story was an unexpected way out that they had.

If we have the choice of a compromise when we are confronted with the reality of death we would definitely go for the option of compromise. That is natural but there could be unexpected doors opening before us which would help us to continue in the path avoiding a ‘turning back’. Here the prayer, ‘lead us not into temptation’ becomes more relevant. DAY 18

day 18:        "Do not be afraid. Stand firm…” Ex. 14: 13

This was the reply given by Moses to the revolting and panicking crowd. In the Scripture this instruction has been given several times to several people: To Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, Moses, etc (Gen. 15:11, 26:24, 46: 3, Num. 21: 34). This is the same instruction that was given to the disciples (Matt. 28:10) by the resurrected Christ. Obviously but the contexts were different. From not to be afraid about what is going to happen to proclaim the truth; thus the range and result of fear would be different.

In the contexts of our own life, we would fear on several aspects. To fear is natural but to overcome it with our hope and faith should also be something natural which may require a little effort!

DAY 19:             Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. Ex. 15: 2

This song was sung by Moses on the safe crossing of the sea with his people. In his weaknesses God was his strength. When he had the call to lead the people he tried to decline it knowing his inabilities but later on he could lead them to the impossible victory.

After coming all these ways when we look back don’t we feel the same that we have been guided through even what we thought is unworkable? We could attribute our success to our ability, aptitude and talents but are we alone solely responsible for what we are now? On crossing the sea of hurdles are we forgetting anybody who contributed towards it? God works through different people in different ways. Let us humble ourselves in acknowledging that.

 DAY 20:            He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Ex. 15: 25

The Exodus continues. Crossing the sea, they had three days walk in the desert without water but when finally they reached at the waters the water was bitter. It was not just one bad experience but a series of troubles. Moses’ earnest prayer resulted in the procurement of a piece of wood which made the water sweet when thrown into it.

St.Gregory of Nyssa, a Church father of fourth century figuratively views this event by saying, “But if the wood be thrown into the water, that is, if one receives the mystery of resurrection which had its beginning with wood, then the virtuous life being sweetened by the hope of things to come, becomes sweeter and more pleasant than all the sweetness that tickles the senses with pleasure” (Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses, II: 132, New York: Paulist Press, p. 86)

Yes, the hope of resurrection which has been given to us through the Cross of Jesus Christ would definitely help us to overcome all malign, deceitful and bitter experiences of life.

DAY21:            "I will rain down bread from heaven for you”. Ex. 16: 4

We do have tremendous resources as blessings showered upon us. From what we need for our survival to what would give bliss to our body, mind and spirit. The creation is so resourceful and self sufficient for the needs but how far we realize this when we use these? How far one could even appreciate all these as a blessing?
Lent is a time to open our eyes to appreciate what we are consuming.

DAY 22:           “…gather enough for that day”. Ex. 16: 4

Specific instruction has been given about the way how people should gather the ‘Manna’ that they should collect just ‘enough for the day’. Can we figuratively relate this to our life?
The reason for many unsolicited agonies of our life may be an outcome of our intention to greedily ‘gather’. This may not be necessarily related to our aspiration to gather wealth but it may be even our uncompromising objectives to have honour and appreciations. Can we reiterate the fact that our Lord said, “…therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. (St. Matt. 6:34).
Even in the case of memories one has to ‘gather and record’ only what is sufficient for the day otherwise we may find it difficult to ‘forgive and forget’.

DAY 23:            “…people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled…” Ex. 17: 3

Would we loose our faith when we are confronted with the harsh side of life? There will be depreciative times and at one or other phases of our life we would be going through tougher phases. Things cannot be the same all the time. Can we be but ‘steadfast’ in our faith giving no room for grumbling? Things will get better!

DAY24:          “Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side..” Ex. 17: 12

Earlier in the Lent we did discuss about the ‘team work’; this topic is again pointing towards the significance of the combined efforts. It is always important that we need people on either side to ‘lift up’ the noble ideas. We may think that we are strong enough to take up the responsibilities on our own and move along but consultation, consent, convincing, interaction, all are important. Again to become an Aaron or Hur is also a great role to take. Let us think for a moment, is just one person having too many responsibilities of the family? Is it not important that a hand should be offered?

DAY 25:          "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it…” Ex. 17: 14

This is an instruction from God; an event of victory is asked to chronicle. Again it is been instructed that this should be known to the successor. We could consider this from either side; it is important that we should chronicle the events for the next generation and for one to move forward it is significant to look the past. This is not an exclusive norm for the communities but equally this could be applicable to the smaller units of the community which is family. Also, can’t we consider this as an excellent management principle which was made about three thousand years ago?

day 26:          "My father's God was my helper; he saved me…” Ex. 18: 4

Moses named his second son Eliezer the meaning of which is ‘God is my helper’, but with the name he is making this statement ‘my father’s God..’. The knowledge and faith in God is something that has been handed down to him. For him the revelation was immediate and he could have claimed that his experience of God is something that he has attained; he was but acknowledging his experience of God as something which has been handed down. Can we relate our faith in God with our earlier generation to make the handing down more meaningful?

day 27:          The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Ex. 18: 18

The incident behind this verse is yet another clear example of a management principle pertaining delegation. Moses’ father-in-law was visiting him. He found Moses wearing out himself from morning till evening settling and judging the disputes among the people. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law is suggesting a formula: That is to “select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you…”
God, doesn’t want us to be weary in this life- in family and in community we should share our responsibilities.

DAY 28:          “… you will be my treasured possession”. Ex. 19: 5

This is what God wanted Moses to tell the people. We often consider God as the master and resource of blessings and our prayers are aimed at tapping out those resources. Have we ever thought of God as the joyful father of us? It is at this point of ‘possession of God’ that we would feel the importance of our vocation. Yes, we are His ‘treasured possession’ and ‘treasure’ deserves safety. Can we safeguard ourselves from all evil being treasures of God?

The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." Ex. 19: 8

Moses was giving an admonition to the people of God making them perceive that they are the ‘treasured possession’ of God, in turn people responded this. This is what we do as a worshipping community in any of our Communion and communal services when we utter together ‘Amen’. Every single ‘Amen’ is a promise that we make before God. Again, this ‘togetherness’ make the Community. Are we living our ‘Amen’?

Day 30:          "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud…” Ex. 19: 9
Several of our early Church Fathers considered this passage as a visible expression of the incomprehensibility of the eternal Godhead. Psalmist also proposes the same, “He made darkness his covering…” Ps. 18: 11. Our early Church Fathers were open enough to consider the passages figuratively. Let alone these theological discussions can we relate this to our life in anyways? Not that the experiences of darkness and difficulties are those times when God tests us, but can we experience the presence of God even at the time of less visibility? Darkness and cloudy experiences are inevitably part of life but in what level could we possibly see the consoling presence of God in the midst of it?

Day 31;          "You shall not make for yourself an idol…” Ex. 20: 4

This is the very first Commandment, that the people should not have any other God. The act of single-mindedness is what precisely been demanded. We do but keep idols in our life; even unknowingly we idolise diverse aspects. Sometimes it may be our ego and self pride which even tormenting ourselves by not ready to give up or forgive! It is only a matter of breaking the outer shell to realize the truth. Is it possible for us to locate our idol to address it? Or are we really free of any idols?

Day 32:       Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Ex. 22: 21

For a few chapters now are the sacred Laws! The above verse comes after the ‘eye for an eye’ principle. The strictest of the Laws evolved out of the context of the people, but even for them there existed a principle of treating the foreigners. We might have gone through ill-treats and humiliations but it doesn’t give us the right to humiliate others. At some point we might not have treated well, it does not mean that we have to do the same to our successors or colleagues who join us later on. Again, doing ‘good’ is not a mercy or charity but it is the responsibility of a Christian. Can one speak ‘big’ about it?

Day 33:            "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong…”. Ex. 23: 2

‘Following the crowd’ is an easy way of leading life. If we analyze closely several of the communal events and aspects are manipulated and manoeuvred by a few while large crowd would tend to follow. In the public ministry of Jesus Christ ‘large crowd’ followed Him (Matt. 4: 25, 8: 1, 14:13 etc); at the time of the trial and execution of Him also there was a large crowd (Matt. 26: 15- 23). Not everyone could raise the voice against evil; all the same, the ‘sensible’ moving away from the crowd would also affect the community. Church is the ‘Body of Christ’, and it cannot be just a passive ‘following crowd’

Day 34:          “the seventh year let the land lie unploughed and unused…” Ex. 23: 11

What the modern world referred to as a ‘primitive law’, is giving even provision to honour the earth by instituting a law to give rest to the land. A few reasons are stated in the biblical text itself for this law: The poor and the needy are allowed coming and harvesting the natural crops; the wild animals are to be permitted to have what are left over by the people. Apart from these, obviously we could deduce that we cannot be greedy with the intention of accumulating more and more thereby leaving the nature to unending exploitation. ‘Creation’ is out of the over flowing love of God and let us always respect it.

Day 35:           "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along…” Ex. 23: 20

This is the assurance that God is giving to Moses and the people on their journey; that for their victory and protection God’s angel would work ahead.

We always think about the providential care working ahead of us. There is no harm in thinking in that way but can we also consider the fact that we are the working hands of God? When we think in that way, our role is to become an angel to those who follow us, which is our next generation. How and what level we would take up this responsibility of an Angel for those who have joined and are to join this journey after us?

Day 36 (Church Day)            “… an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars..” Ex. 24: 4

The event is the building of the Altar in the desert by Moses after he has been entrusted with the covenant. He himself is a powerful prophet and a leader of hundreds of thousands of people but he honour the ancestral legacy and tradition by setting up twelve pillars for the Altar. Following the same tradition at the time of the Consecration of the Church in the Liturgy of the ‘laying of the stone’, we place twelve small stones.
Being the ‘Catholicate Day’, let us remember the striving of our ancestors in handing down this great tradition of the Church to us

Day 37               “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain”. Ex. 25: 40

The reference is made here to the ‘making’ of the Tabernacle, Ark, Lamp stand, etc. First of all, we could see a consultation behind this. Secondly, up on the mountain Moses had a prayerful encounter and all the plans were made in accordance with that.
When we work together in a community- in Church or in family- there should be a prayerful consultation behind every plans and projects and that would definitely win the confidence of all and would stand for long, if not for ever. 

 Day 38            “… place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain” Ex. 26: 33

The instruction continues about the layout of the Tabernacle. The ‘Ark of the Testimony’ (is referred to as such because the given Laws are supposed to be placed in it) is to be placed in the ‘Holy of Holies’ and it is behind the curtain. We could think of at least two things:

- The Testimony contains the instructions and code of conduct to the people. It reminds us about our commitment and irrevocable relation to God; it is placed in the most holy place. Week after week when we come together for the worship, in the holy of holies, when we worship before the altar, this is something that we have to be convinced of- that our commitment to God is been reiterated.

- Again, this spiritual commitment is not for too much of a public exposure just as the ‘Ark’ goes behind the curtains. Over exposure of our commitments of faith would encounter with the natural dangers of, hypocrisy and unnecessary judgement all the same it is pivotal as it is placed respectfully! Great Lent: Day 39
Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart….”. Ex. 28:30.

The instructions continue onto the making of the priestly garments. “Urim and the Thummim” are the two stones that would go into the Breastplate; the literal meaning of which are “lights and perfections’. Allegorically in the Hebraic tradition the presence of the stones on the ‘breastplate’ means the person has to uphold the ‘doctrine and truth’ in his dispensation of responsibility. Can we, in our responsibilities, have its doctrines- policies- and truth upheld intact? Like, “Urim and the Thummim”, especially during this season we do have lot of physical reminders in our worship. Let us open our eyes widely to see those reminders to get meaningfully translated into our lives. 

 Day 40                “… and the place will be consecrated by my glory”. Ex. 29: 43

The arrangements of making everything formalize continue and today we are in the ‘consecration of the priests and the place’. All these have been done whilst the ‘people’ are journeying. The community has got everything made in the sojourn. The ‘tent’ has also been consecrated and it has been made so by the glory of God. Later on in the New Testament time the concept has been further extended to perceive that we ourselves are the ‘consecrated presence of God’. God’s glory dwells in us and let us reaffirm the glorious presence of God in us.

 Day 42             “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…” Ex. 31:3

The person referred to here is Bezalel who is supposed to be the craftsman of all the proposed architectural plans. He became instrumental in the hands of God in the planning and making of everything that was required for the worshipping community but later on in the history his name is seldom acknowledged. Not that ‘not being acknowledged’ is anything highly spiritual and great but if we tame our mind with the fact that all these gifts are ‘God given’ then the rendering would be less stressful. Are we becoming so concerned about the spending of resources no matter whether it is our time, skills or even financial resources?

 Day 43          Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain… Ex. 32:1

Moses was on the mountain getting the ‘Covenant of God’ and he took more time than expected. People were asked to wait at the foot of the mountain and when time passes on they became impatient. They went and asked Aaron to make gods for them to worship.

We need to get things done fast. Our patience will be completely challenged if anything is interrupted in between or something is delayed. Things cannot always happen in the same pace as we would target it. Panicking could result in the same as going after many ‘gods’. May this week we have this great patience like Moses to be in God’s presence patiently and diligently. y be able to appease ourselves if we consider the fact that these have been bestowed on me for the benefit of others and me.

 Day 44-Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped… Ex. 33: 10
The ‘Pillar of Cloud’ was a visible reminder for the people about the presence of God. That initiated them for worship. In parallel to this we have this week the mounted Cross in front of us reminding us to experience the communal worship. With the reminder of the ‘cloud’ when the people worshipped together it was equally a penitential experience as well, as they have strayed away to ‘many gods’. Can we think of any ‘other gods’ that we are after? Or have we been directed by ‘many gods’? Prejudices, over exertions with no time for the family, not becoming a silent listener to others to whom we ought to listen and- we never know- how many different gods that we are after! Can we kneel down before the Holy Cross to know the truth about ourselves?

 Day 45       Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshipped. Ex. 34: 8

In Lord’s presence as a penitence for what the people did Moses bowed down to the ground in worshipping God. During this week (even though the Church has the tradition of doing the prostrations on all the daily offices of prayers except for a feast day or a Sunday) more frequently we do the prostrations during our prayers. This is an act of stooping down- both the hands, knees and toes touching the ground- which is considered to be an act of penitence. Genuflections and prostrations are considered to be as an act of one’s failure, helplessness or submissiveness. The prayers here could be:
Lord, I have failed to live your expectation.
Lord, I couldn’t help or resolve this.
Lord, am here, make me as you please!

Let us join together in worshipping God.

Day 46     Then bring in the lamp stand and set up its lamps. 40: 4

Finally Moses started making the final arrangements of the setting up of the Tabernacle for Lord. Here the instruction is about the installation of the lamp stand. There were extensive specifications about the making of the lamp stand. There were buds and branches and those were made out of one single piece of gold hammered (Ex. 37:22). The season in one way commemorates the setting up of the Worshipping Community just as the way Moses has done the Tabernacle. The Christian Worshipping Community evolved around the act of a great ‘offering’. The lamp and the lamp stand typify significant things here. The buds and branches are made out of one single piece of gold but the functions are different. The worshipping community is carved out of one but the functions of different people are distinct. ‘Lighting of the lamp’ leads to the event of the sacrificial worship. Let us light our heart with the fervent commitment to worship. 
Day 47           "Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Ex. 40:9

The place has set up for worship and now it is the time of consecration. To consecrate means ‘to make holy’. We ourselves and the place we gather together to worship are consecrated. It goes without saying that this week is the most significant week in our worshipping tradition and we spend a lot of our time in the ‘consecrated place’ to enact and witness the redemptive ‘spending of life’ of Jesus Christ. By this we reiterate the fact that being consecrated for him we would follow His example, even in washing the feet of others. May our time in the consecrated place recap our life in Christ.

Day 48             He set the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings, as the LORD commanded him. Ex. 40: 29

After the Consecration of the ‘Place of Worship’ Moses had made ‘offering’ to God for the people. This day we are commemorating the greatest burnt offering the history had ever seen. Our Lord has been made as an ‘offering’ for our sins and follies. Would we replicate His ‘offering’ in our life, at any stage, as He had offered Himself for ‘others’? Great Lent:

Day 49/ Day 50. Happy Easter
And so Moses finished the work. Ex. 40: 33
“… and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Ex. 40: 34

We accomplish the Spiritual Journey of Great Lent. For these thoughts, we took the spirituality and leadership of Moses as a model to ponder on. His initiations, efforts of collegiality, commitment to God’s love and dedication in worship – all are exemplary qualities to contemplate on for us even when the fact is that we are confronted with distinct realities. And finally when he moved with the directions that he had from God, he became instrumental for ‘God’s glory to fill the tabernacle. May this accomplished journey and any spiritual impetus that we had help us to reflect God’s glory in this world.

Christ is risen!
Indeed He is risen!

May God bless your family. Happy Easter.
Ab-Achan