Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I consider it as a privilege and honor for me to greet the members of New Jersey Mar Thoma Church, Randolph through the monthly news letter of the parish. Now we are in the post-resurrection period. We have been meditating on the Cross of Christ during the lent season, particularly in the passion week. The cross reminds us of God's unfathomable love for the world. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (Jn. 13: 34).

A budding artist once painted a picture of the Last Supper. He took it to the writer Leo Tolstoy for his opinion. Carefully and understandingly, the Russian master of words studied the canvas. Then pointing to the central figure, he declared, "you do not love Him". "Why, that is the Lord Jesus Christ", exclaimed the artist. "I know", insisted Tolstoy, "but you do not love Him. If you loved Him more, you would paint Him better".

Few of us are budding artists in this sense, but the Bible teaches, we are all to be servants - servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and of one another. With this in mind, we can easily reword Tolstoy's statement to read, "If you loved Him more, you would serve Him better". Furthermore, "if we loved Him more, we would serve one another better". As Paul wrote to the Galatians, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love" (Gal. 5: 13). Serving one another must be guided by true love.

I understand that the New Jersey Mar Thoma Church, Randolph is celebrating Parish day in the first week of April 2013. Parish Day celebration is a time to thank God for His guidance and faithfulness in the life and ministry of the parish in the past. From a small beginning God has guided and nurtured the parish in its spiritual and infrastructural growth.

I wish all blessings for the parish and urge all the parishioners to earnestly pray and participate in the mission of the Church.  We, as members of the Church, are called for a greater mission and ministry in the local level. Christian Mission is a life lived in response to God’s love and purpose for us and for all his creations. The Cross reminds us of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The time of Parish Day is a time to re-dedicate the parishioners as partners in the divine ministry of establishing the Kingdom of God.

I wish all blessings for the parish and its activities.

Prayerful regards,

Yours in Christ’s Ministry

Rev. K. E. Geevarghese

Diocesan Secretary