St Thomas feast falls on 3rd
July and this year we at St Thomas R K Puram Parish celebrated the feast on 5th
July being Sunday. Let me borrow from what St Shimi wrote about
St Thomas.
“In the Gospel, THOMAS,
the apostle DOUBTED that Jesus had RISEN because he did not see nor touch
Jesus.
Do we also doubt JESUS’ LOVE AND CARE for us
when we are going through TRIALS that are very TRYING And TRAUMATIC? If we do
not RELY ON Jesus, our trials will be overwhelming.
Let’s pray for the GIFT OF WISDOM of the Spirit.
HAPPY FEAST to ALL... may ST THOMAS intercede
for ALL of US.”
We are human and doubt we will, but it’s
OK. I remember Fr Mathew PJ sermon on
the day for the Youth. He said because
St Thomas doubted we got further convincing evidence with Jesus proving himself
to St Thomas. It’s OK to doubt but
remove it and remove it for others like He (St Thomas) did for us.
As part of the feast celebrations 3rd
July was youth day and the over all coordination was the responsibility of STAY
members. It was decided to invite Fr
Mathew PJ, Parish Priest of Dharuheda, Haryana (who was earlier in RK Puram as
APP), as the main celebrant. He is vibrant and popular with all the
parishioners and especially the youth.
We all remember him with fondness.
He is a bundle of enthusiasm, energy and positive conviction. Fr Mathew very rightly pointed out that the
youth of today is saddled with worry and fear.
For success in exam, for a good job, for a good companion. They don’t have the benefit of support group
as the earlier generation had.
Mr Alexander
Daniel, retired IPS officer was the guest speaker for the evening. The youth of our parish had gathered and
organised the short function. Mr
Alexander urged our youth to do well to have any impact, as Christians are a minuscule
minority in India. We have to be known
by our righteous living. Sanctified families leading to sanctified religious. In
Kerala the proportion of Christians is more and it may be easier to reach out, to be seen as a community which is
different. In the north where the
numbers are less, where you may be just one family in the area, one student in
the class or one employee in the whole organisation, it is difficult to leave
an impression or even be known to your neighbours. It is, therefore, imperative to do well in
life and not remain one in the crowd with no identity. Mr Alexander stressed the need of strength
of character. He urged our youth to
listen to Ted talks which can teach us a few things. Touching upon the excessive attachment to
social media he mentioned that during the last lent church had declared cyber
fasting for the last week of lent. I am
sure most of us would find that very difficult or even impossible. He also mentioned that Prayer can be an
anchor and stabilising factor. Pray when
ever you can. You need not fix a time
or take out time for prayer. It can be
said everywhere any time. It will make
you feel good. Have a grateful
heart. We have received many blessings
but fail to feel grateful.
Mr Alexander
felt that the Church needs to train the youth in parenting. Our children
brought up on nucleus families have not had any exposure to parenting. They have not seen grand parents looking
after smaller kids, they have not stayed with other families. They have had no opportunity to learn from
nature as a kid would have in the rural areas.
What is learnt is best unlearnt like what we have seen in the world wide
web. Most of it is unreal and even
wrong.
In today’s
world everyone looks for ‘what is in it for me’ (wiiifm). It is not understood or even ridiculous to do
something without having or expecting something in return. We are so engrained with selfishness that no one
will appreciate if you do something gratis.
It is not done and many become suspicious. So much so that people are trying to find a
reason for Mother Teresa’s love for the poor.
I think that we Christians will have to have a lot of courage and
conviction to do good and be noticed doing good.
