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Entering the Kingdom of God: The rich vs. little children
In this Gospel passage (Luke 18: 18-27) Jesus is sympathizing with a rich ruler; How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God. Then who can be saved? The answer is there in verses 17; Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. What is that spiritual truth that we need to learn from children? What is the secret that help them to take possession of the Kingdom of God? Call to your mind your childhood face or your child’s face. Or you may go to a place where you can spend some time with children.…
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Meditating St. Mary as the prophet of God’s justice
It has been a recent practice in the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Churches to observe eight-days-lent interceding prayers of St. Mary, starting from day one to eight day of September. It is quite appropriate to think and meditate St. Mary especially during the time of “ETTUNOYAMBU”. Whenever we think and talk about St. Mary certain cliches and typical images come into our mind. Some of the common thoughts and topics of discussion during this festival and lent season are; St. Mary is the mother of God; not the mother of Christ; she’s a saint, she is blessed, she is full of grace, and she is highly favored; she’s virgin, despite she gave birth to…