By His Fruits You Shall Know Him: A Defense of Christopher West

Here is a recent article about someone who was instrumental in transforming the lives of many through what sounds like a radically different message - Christopher West.

http://www.headlinebistro.com/en/news/pinto_west.html

http://thetheologyofthebody.com/

Happy New Year to all!!

Just Missed!!!

Dear all,

While the Jubilee excitement is in the air, I missed by a day something that is of great importance to me.

It was on 21st October 1996, the last day of Campus Meet '96 at Nirmala College (Muvattupuzha, Kareala), that I first ever made an act of commitment to the LORD. I was not sure what I was doing, I had never had any plans to do such a thing before coming there. The last day last session was led by Manoj Sunny chettan, who talked about Jesus Youth movement, its Catholic roots, Charismatic spirituality etc. Many of the things I did not understand. But when he asked us on the previous day (20th) to write on a piece of paper the names of those who hurt me and whom I need to forgive, I did so, and I was a bit surprised when we were asked to surrender those people to the Lord and tear the paper down. But with the 3 grace-filled days, I was really responding positively to the sessions, and I honestly and earnestly obeyed. On the final day (21st), Manojettan asked us to write down a few decisions that we all want to take. I think I made a decision to surrender my life to the LORD and to be faithful to Him. And I asked Him the grace to keep the commitments, because I knew I didn't have a strong will power.

(I heard after the programme from some leaders that that programme was not as fruitful as it was expected. I don't know all those things. What I know is that the LORD touched me and blessed me through it. Praise Jesus!!)

So, it's 14th anniversary just passed after making my first commitment to the LORD. In Biblical terms, 2 Sabbath Years have gone by. It is inviting me to thank, introspect, correct, hope and march ahead along with the cloud of witnesses around me, many of those belonging to Jesus Youth movement. Say one prayer for me as you read this.

Happy Jubilee!!

A Jubilee Decision

In this Jubilee Year, I am making a decision very special to me. My patron saint is St. Martin de Porres (http://magnificat.ca/cal/engl/11-03.htm). His story is worth said, that can move the heart of the hardest nature. I am known by my saint's name only in my Mulund circles only, where I got baptized in the year 2002. It sometimes pricks my conscience that even I remember him very rarely. But in these days of real blessings of the Jubilee, I have decided to remind myself and others that I am born again as "Martin", with great deal of his intercession, and above all the intercession of Mary our mother. I will be glad if anyone starts addressing me as Martin. I am sure that if someone calls me Martin when I am in the state of sin, that itself would make me run to the confessional.

The biggest detail I've ever got about St Martin was a book I read on him which is not more than 100 pages. But as I read it sometime in 1999, I knew that he is going to be my patron saint if I ever get baptized. One small book was enough to build a strong bond between us!! I received baptism on 8th September 2002 (solemnity of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, and also a Sunday), an on the same year I received my first Sacrament of Penance, First Holy Communion and Holy Confirmation. Our Bishop was coming on November 10th to give the First Holy Communion and Confirmation to the children. Since I was receiving both, Fr. Joju the parish priest said that Confirmation is generally given after Communion. But in the Solemn Celebration, Communion is at the last and Confirmation is in the middle. Since I am receiving both, I was advised to receive Communion in the previous Sunday itself. That was November 3rd 2002 Sunday, which was also the Feast of St. Martin de Porres!!!! Praise God!

Before I disclosed that I wanted to have my name as Martin, some of my prayer group members got a message that Martin is the name shown to them. That was a joyful confirmation.

This is thus my first mail with the changed signature, through which I want to proclaim to myself and to the world about what I am called to be.

Sin, Righteousness and Condemnation

As we read in John 16, Jesus tells the disciples in His discourse on the eve of the Passover:

7. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
9. sin, because they do not believe in me;
10. righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;
11. condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12. "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
13. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.

I have always wanted to write about these verses, coz not only that I've always drawn inspirations from them, but also got a few insights, which so far have been deep within me in an unorganized manner. My effort with this attempt to pen them down is to bring the unorganized into an organized one. May God's Spirit guide me, for in the beginning God uttered His Word, and the order was established in the previously orderless world.

My personal God experience began around 12 years back. It was marked by a radical conversion and a total transformation. When I look back, I always envy myself for the abundant grace I was showered upon, to overcome the challenges I had to face in my initial years. When I see myself off-late struggling hard even on the basic things of personal renewal, I once again long to go through a radical conversion and transformation.

With my experience regarding sin and grace, God has taught me a lot over these years. Those were really tough lessons though. When I read the Word of God - the Mirror that can show our true image, as St. James put - I see my ugly face (made ugly due to sin) getting beautiful and bright when the divine cosmetic - grace - is applied.

I know that I am not presenting anything new to those who have experienced God in the variety of unique ways that God alone can think and comprehend of. For it's an eternal truth that we are experiencing salvation by grace, received through faith, and expressed in good works. But it's still awe-inspiring every moment, and never ceases to marvel the ones who seek God's mysterious ways. How can a man who trod a long way into the path of sin be able to stand in the righteousness of God without walking the entire way back home? But it's still true, for the ways and measures of God are totally different from those of man, as we read in the book of Isaiah 55.

6. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
7. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

- To be Continued

On Sharing My Faith

I generally have a tendency to shy away from the responsibility of sharing my faith with my friends. The reasons, or rather, excuses are quite usual – They may feel that I am trying to convert them, or, their impression about me may be lost, they may think that I am offending their sentiments. I always wonder what the right thing I must start with is.

There have been occasions when I was involved in discussion with a (secular) set of friends on some burning issue, say sexual morality, and some of them completely disagree with my views. Now whatever argument I put forward to them, either they have a counter-argument, or they simply disagree. Most of the time it boils down to the same question - "Who decides/defines what is right and wrong?"

Have you ever been in such a situation? If so, I don’t know how you must have handled the situation. But I have mixed success in conveying my views. I notice one thing in general. Without bringing God into any discussion on moral issues, the arguments look weak and empty according to me. Had there been no God, many things I consider illegitimate today could be considered legitimate, and many values I stand for would be absolutely foolish. And it's very difficult to prove to an atheist that God exists, no matter how logical my attempt is in putting my views.

I used to wonder why is it that God who is so real and present to me is a matter of foolishness for others. Well the answer is very clear. Even I did not come to faith because I heard someone explaining about God logically (though today I realize that all logic applied objectively and in unbiased manner proves the existence of God). Yeah… I have heard people sharing about God, and his unfathomable and unconditional love. I have heard them sharing their testimonies of how God shows his providence in their daily life. I have witnessed the power of God working through them, when the cancers and AIDS get healed, blind people see, the deaf ones hear, and the lame walk. Their sharings and witnessing life have invited me to try this faith myself, when I could myself truly experience that awesome love that transformed my whole life. I have experienced the hand of God working on me for the past 11 years. Instead of sharing experiences, if they had tried to convince me with logical conclusions, I don’t think I could have ever experienced God and his love.

So… it requires experience to believe in God. And one can experience God only when He reveals himself to him or her. Bible says – "Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him." (Wisdom 1:2)

What makes someone seek God? Well, every man experiences in his soul, a deep craving for God. He can sense it, but may not understand what this craving is for, or may not acknowledge it. It usually happens that the soul is unable to find God, and his pride may tend to give up this search after some time. Pride works, saying – "I will not accept anyone or any idea which I could not experience in my whole life." A theist (a person who believes that God exists) may not necessarily have experienced God. If his soul manages to triumph over pride, and accepts that there could be many things that is beyond its understanding, and hopes that the One whom it craves for really exists. And when it ultimately experiences God personally and intimately, faith is built up on the experience, and not on logical explanations.

The state of a soul that has not experienced God is like a man who is shut in a big dark room for years, and craves for freedom. One day he hears someone shouting from outside the room that the door is unlocked and it opens to outside world where he will find freedom and light. He is filled with hope, but he suddenly experieces the presence of a tall dark creature beside him, saying that the messenger is trying to fool him, and it’s better not to reach to the door and try to open it, for the fear of disappointment.

Here, the captive man is the soul of the person, the dark creature is his pride, and the messenger is a person who had experienced God and shares his testimony with him. The soul will be naturally drawn to God and respond to Him. To reach to the door of faith and to open it, one has to defeat his pride. But it is always wise according to me, to do so by hope, even if you are not so sure whether the door will open. For you have nothing to lose. If the door will not open, you may get disappointed, that’s all. Nothing worse will happen, and you are losing nothing. But if it does open, you have used your only option to see freedom and light.

Paul says in the letter to Romans chapter 8

19. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;
20. for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope
21. that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
23. and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

So, what God has taught me is very simple:- Don't spend too much time in arguments with my friends. I must trust in God and use words of wisdom whenever required, but that's not enough. I must share my experience of Jesus with them and invite them to experience the same. I must pray fervently for them so that God may open the doors of opportunities in their life where they become more receptive to the Word of God and welcome him into their lives.

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

My dear friend, in Jesus' never-failing name I invite you his beautiful kingdom, and I can assure you that you will not get disappointed. He is the answer to all our needs - spiritual, psychological, physical, material. He is a loving Father, who sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ into this world to wash our sins with his precious blood, so that we may be worthy to enter the Kingdom of God, where we will live forever. I know what I am saying, if you are feeling right now how crazy I am. He is the One whom your soul craves for. He knows the deepest desires of your heart. He is Love Unlimited, and for a seeking heart, He is just a simple prayer away.

For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." (Romans 10:11)

God bless you!!!