Category: ARTICLES

Articles

A New Year to Reconstruct a War-worn World!: The Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew

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Like it or lump it, at the back of a jarringly game-changing year another New Year is unrolling before us that brings in the year-end as well as baseline algorithm of reflections and resolutions. If you haven’t resolved on them yet, no worries; the Dragon New Year will ring in six weeks. Always remember: an indecision is better than a poor decision. From the appalling anguish of bomb-ravaged Palestine and Ukraine, this New Year is a momentous breather to start afresh for the great unwashed to become enthused and move…

On Jangling “Jingle Bells All the Way” to the Jungles of Palestine and Ukraine

The Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew

My very first Christmas away from home was in 1969, when I heard Andy Williams’ song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in Edinburgh. Albeit, I was kind of lost and nostalgic along with a few overseas students from Taiwan, Israel, Kenya and Jamaica while the local students went home for Christmas. My classmates from Northern Ireland couldn’t go home because of the conflict between the Irish Republican Army and the British Army – at least their parents came over to entertain them during the holidays. Evening worship…

The Good Shepherd Sunday (April 30, 2023): Untangling the Ambiguity of a Parable

The Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew

[Meltdown of Hired Herders vs. Caring for the Sheep of the Good Shepherd] (The Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew, The United Church of Canada) The gospel of John records a parable of the Good Shepherd; it is all about “us” – the faithful flock fenced in a comfortably secure paddock in a hostile neighbourhood with thieves and elusive predators stalking us, day and night. The Good Shepherd has a few hired herders on duty so that the sheep may live in harmony. Many disillusioned adherents are on a hair-trigger temper…

O Come, All Ye Debit Card Holders, Joyful and Triumphant! – (A Reflection for Advent and Christmas)

The Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew

Once again, we are in that time of the year, as Andy Williams sang: ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year’. Ideally, we would be singing “O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth” However, we do not live in an ideal world of Mister Rogers’ neighborhood any more. And we stopped singing ‘It’s a beautiful day in the…

Dattatreya and His 24 Gurus (A detailed Analysis)

Thodupuzha K Shankar, Mumbai

INTRODUCTION: From the readings and sapthahams and Navahams I attended in Mumbai, I could gather some knowledge which I would like to share with my readers who have always evinced and expressed great interest and inquisitiveness to acquire the knowledge potential. I too strongly believe that the knowledge we gather from books and discourses and even discussions with knowledgeable souls should be shared with others from time to time. Otherwise, it remains futile like the wealth with a miser which is of no use. I am sure these stories and…

CHRISLAM – WILL IT EVER BE A REALITY?

Dr. Mathew Joys, Las Vegas

Have you heard about “Chrislam”?. It is not a new concept or ideology. Years back while reading Arthur C. Clarke’s fantasy novel, “The Hammer of God”, which describes the crisis caused by the imminent collision of an asteroid with planet Earth, this word “Chrislam” appeared somewhere in it. Of course, now I understand that Chrislam is the movement that earned momentum, which is evident while reading an old article from EMIRATES NEWS: The world religious leaders today adopted the Human Fraternity Document signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of…

God Always ‘AS IS’ (Article): Rev Dr John T Mathew

Rev Dr John T Mathew

Ever since the death of Elizabeth II, British monarch, on September 8, 2022, the words of an unknown author of the British anthem have been  reminding all of us that we mortal humans must slow down to appreciate the presence of the Holy One in our lives. The British national anthem ‘God Save the King/gracious Queen’ is one of the oldest national anthems. Thomas Hobbes stated in his Leviathan “No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the…

SHRI THEN THIRUPERAI ARAVINDALOCHANAN SWAMY – UNIQUE DESCIPLE PAREXCELLENCE!

Thodupuzha K Shankar, Mumbai

INTRODUCTION: It is believed that of all the yugas, the ongoing KALIYUGA is considered the most conducive yuga for practicing, promoting and propagating BHAKTHI JNANA AND VAIRAGYA, which yield the quickest result over the others. Today, we have not only the treasures of Puranic and mythological works of the eminent rishis and poets like Valmeeki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, but also number of learned Acharyas and spiritual gurus, besides a host of experienced Swamijisall over who are incessantly engaged in spreading this basic awareness among all with particular reference to the…

Kamam Karmam Karma falam – Articles and stories from epics and mythologies

Thodupuzha K Shankar, Mumbai

Sometimes, when someone does something, the result or the fruit of action goes to somebody else, no matter it is good or bad! While doing the action, no one seriously thinks about the result, but concentrates only on the action. This is purely based upon the universal tenet or principle of -Desire, action and fruit of action in due course or KAMAM, KARMAM AND KARMA FALAM. To make it more explicit, the Law of Karma applies. One can control the first two ie, Kamam and Karma but he has absolutely…

Religious, Spiritual or Not; We’re Secure in the Grip of Grace: Rev. Dr. John T Mathew

Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew

These are days when people, without being part of a particular community of faith or organized religion, self-identify as ‘spiritual but not religious’ (SBNR) or ‘spiritual but nor affiliated’ (SBNA). However, it is true that during the unremitting pandemic protocols, employees and employers to had to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to protect yourself, your family and your community. Imagine our elderly confined to long term care homes or hospitals with no hope of seeing our loved ones! Three years in, a pandemic juggernaut created a global Intensive Care…