Dear Families of the Mar Thoma Church of NJ, Randolph,

Welcome to 2017. By the grace of God, we have entered a new year. When considering the experiences and events during the past year, things have been eventful. Our lives and our surrounding have progressed, but have also transformed in ways unexpected. The Apostle Paul says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth…” (Col. 3:2). We have been created in the image and likeness of God, to reflect His glory. But as we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, we have diverted from His plan and purpose for us in our lives. As we are in 2017, I propose the following 3 R’s for our spiritual growth.

Reflection: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away…Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 1-2, 23-24). Eastern Christian Spirituality gives importance to silence, meditation, and reflection. As Christians, we are bombarded with many “noises” (distractions), many of which take us away from the divine mystery. We lose our sense of purpose and hope. Considering the past year: where were our gains and losses? What shouldn’t we have done? What should we have done? Were we near or far away from the Holy Trinity?

Repentance: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) As Christians, we are weak and sinful; we have made mistakes, and are in dire need of God’s grace and mercy on our lives. As human beings, we apologize when we make a mistake. But when we repeat the same mistake, apologizing loses its meaning and integrity. Apologizing to God is not simply a matter of the lips; it involves a total creative and positive transformation of the self in Christ Jesus, and striving for perfection amidst imperfection. The Holy Spirit convicts us. “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Rev. 3:3) 

Every new day of life we receive should be a constant reminder that as we are one step away from our birth, we are one step closer to our death. Our life is a privilege and days are numbered. Let us take advantage of the time and space afforded to us. Let our continuous prayer be: “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” 

Renewal: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17) Following reflection and repentance results in renewal; the three entities are interconnected and dependent on each other. The gospel demands a response. The response results in transformation. In 1967, the former prime minister of the U.K., the Late Harold Wilson in his speech to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, said: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.” When we are in Christ, we change. That occurs when we accept Him and walk with Him in our daily life. It involves commitment, to the extent of kenosis (self-emptying). Being a living being means that we change. Spiritually speaking, if we are not changing or growing, it means there is decay and death. Which path are we taking? Are we engaging in the creative process of transformation? 

Wishing you all a blessed new year 2017. All glory, honor, and praise belongs to the Holy Trinity.

Yours in Christ’s Service,

Dennis Achen