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June 2010
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
“The sky is your horizon, now go for it” –this is an advertisement piece which appeared in a reputed political magazine. Soaring to the sky a craving of the modern man. The strive for greatness and the cry for power is echoing everywhere. Power, position, prestige, and prominence are considered as the criteria of greatness. Everyone wants to get to first place even if they have to eliminate others. Among the disciples of Jesus as well, this was an issue. ‘Who is great among us?’
Jesus strikes at the very point of their failure. He undermines their shallow and transitory concept of greatness. True greatness is no longer self centered. Jesus wants his disciples to follow a difficult path and warns them of their shallow spirituality. He gives a radical interpretation to power and prestige. Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be the servant of all. This model is quite uncommon and paradoxical indeed .To embrace such an attitude needs enormous amount of spiritual strength and courage. Jesus’ way of ministry is the ministry of servant hood.
Jesus’ understanding of service grows out of the Old Testament command to love one’s neighbor. He exemplified this in his own life. In Mk.10:45 as a climax to the passion narrative, Jesus reveals his self understanding and true greatness as “For even, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
As followers of Christ, let us try to obey the teachings of our Lord by loving others. Are we prepared to place ourselves at the disposal of others? That is the very pertinent question. Christians are in the pursuit of power and prestige. We are running after material welfare and a life of affluence, while forgetting our vision. What the Lord expects from us is, I believe, to lead an other-centered life. This is real challenge. We, as Christians, need to feel the pulse of the society and commit ourselves for the cause of the society and be true witnesses of Christ. This is precisely our mission.
Rev. Joseph Johnny Vicar
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Achen is in his 15th year of ministry for the Lord as a priest of the Mar Thoma Church. He had the privilege to serve in different parishes in India such as Jamshedpur, Asansol, Durgapur, Bilaspur, Korba and Ambikapur in Northern India; Edamuri(Ranni), Kothamangalam, Kolenchery,Mamala and finally Keezhvaipur in the Kottayam- Kochi Diocese. Each parish experiences were vivid and varied and was really enriching.
email Rev. Joseph Johnny at |
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Vicars of the Past
Quarter Century |
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Rev. Oommen Koruthu |
(Student
Achen later elevated as |
May 1975 — Aug. 1975 |
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Rev. K. S. Mathew |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977 |
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Rev. Thomas P. George |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1977 – Aug. 1979 |
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(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
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Sept. 1979 – May 1981 |
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(Late)
Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
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Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
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Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - May 1981 |
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(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip |
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Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
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Associate Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981 |
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Rev. N. M. Cherian |
Vicar of
all Mar Thoma Congregations in
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May 1981 - June 1983 |
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Rev. Dr. T. Jacob Thomas |
(Student Achen) |
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Assistant Vicar |
July 1981 - May 1983 |
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Vicar |
June 1983 - Mar. 1985 |
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Rev. Dr. G. Varghese |
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Mar. 1985 - April 1989 |
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Rev. Johnson Varghese |
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June 1989 - May 1992 |
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Rev. Dr. T. P. Abraham |
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June 1992 - May 1995 |
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Rev. P. M. Thomas |
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May 1995 - April 1999 |
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Rev. K. Y. Jacob |
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May 1999 - June 1999 |
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Rev. Thomas P. Chandy |
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June 1999 – May 2002 |
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Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham |
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May 2002 - August 2004 |
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Rev. Jojan Mathews John |
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May 2004 - April 2007 |
| Rev. P. E. Mathew | May 2007 - April 2010 | |
| Rev. Joseph Johnny | May 2010 - Present | |