NEWSLETTER - St. Thomas Philadelphia

What Would Jesus Do?
The famous phrase ‘What
Would Jesus Do?’ (WWJD), even though
was familiar, did not strike my thoughts
till I started reading the book In His
Steps by Charles Sheldon. The story
starts with an experience that transformed
Rev. Henry Maxwell, a pastor at
the First Church in Raymond. After his
transformation, he challenges himself
and the congregation to evaluate every
part of their lives with the question,
‘What would Jesus do?’. Some parishioners
accepted the challenge, and began
to ask this simple, yet profound question,
in every aspect, every decision,
every habit and every practice of their
lives. Moreover, they changed their actions,
habits and notions accordingly to
fit in the criteria. Many of those changes
involved risk, but those who accepted
the challenge were determined to continue
it, despite the tough and tiring upstream
swimming.
Stepping out of our comfort
zones is very tough. We knowingly or
unknowingly try to incorporate our own
vested interests in everything we do,
even when we claim to serve God. In the
life of Mother Teresa, a moment came
when she had to leave to the streets
from her convent to serve the poor. Her
initial vow to serve Jesus could have
been easily accomplished by staying at
the convent, but she was able to recognize
her true calling, and to step out of
the boundaries to serve Jesus. She left
her convenience and comfort to inconvenience
and discomfort. This inconvenience
and discomfort brought convenience
and comfort to many poor in Calcutta.
Moreover, the initial inconvenience
and discomfort then became the
convenience and comfort for her. Was
the steps of Jesus during His ministry
ever convenient and comfortable?
Is it possible to ask this question
before every small and big thing we do
in life? First response to an aggressive
driver on a highway is usually aggressiveness,
either by sounding the horn or by
aggressive driving. Will that be the response
if Jesus was driving the car? How
will our action contradict with Jesus’
action in a call for help or charity? What
about Church and worship? Would Jesus
spent time drinking and being merry?
Would Jesus argue at parish general
body’s or take churches to courts?
Would Jesus go to the street to fight?
Would Jesus watch TV shows that teach
sin? Would Jesus live luxuriously?
Asking this question, ‘What
would Jesus do?’, is making me realize
more about my incompatibility with
Christ. Our calling is to walk and follow
His steps. Would Jesus walk through the
steps that I am making in my life? Is it
His will or mine? “For to this you have
been called, because Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example, so that
you might follow in his steps.” (1 Pet.
2:21).
(Jerin Juby)
Vicar’s Message
Continued from Page 2
house of God must have the resources to feed the needy for which all must bring their Tithe to the house of God. Giving
to the poor and needy is the individual responsibility within the resources given to each. But Tithe should not be
mixed with helping the needy in their private circle. Tithe is God’s share and that must come to the house of God. It
helped me make a new resolution in 2013 that my tithe will be brought to the house of God and the house of God
should use it for its service of the needy. That does not mean that all tithe money is given as charity distribution by the
house of God. Many areas of running the Church including various missions and services for the needy in our community
can be met from there. Food, shelter, clothing, education, recreation, etc. needs will all be met by the house of
God. The American Government allows tax exemption up to $5,000.00 for which no proof is necessary. And all of us
use that concession. But how many truly gives that money to the house of God? Hardly anyone! This is why we cannot
prosper.
I have seen some of the Congregationalist Christian group members giving their tithe truthfully and diligently
to the house of God. I have not seen anyone of those people going bankrupt or poverty-stricken. It is God’s promise to
reward them in many kinds to those who obey Him. All that we need is the courage to obey the Lord. I remember
those days of church building project I had given all my Tithe to the parish without any hesitation and I am still enjoying
the blessings that came from God on that account. Many people are afraid that looking at the Tithe people
know the income of a person or family. What a fear it is! Genuinely we are all living in our own closed circuit where
we are the only managers of our wealth and resources. No one should know what we have, what we are and what we
do! Time has come for us to be open and truthful to our call as followers of Christ. This will be a huge challenge in the
year 2013 for us all. Once we begin the habit it will continue.
How many can make a new decision in the New Year to stand firm in the Lord, unshaken and giving
fully oneself to God? If the New Year can start with a new decision, we as a parish will see the difference. Can you take
this challenge?
Wish you all a Blessed New Year!
Fr. M. K. Kuriakose
JANUARY 2013 6 NEWSLETTER