Remains of the Christmas

Christmas was on Thursday in 2025. The following Sunday after Christmas when I went to the National Shrine the decorations had all gone dry. 

Near the Meenakshi Restaurant, the night might have been beautiful with creative decorations. 

Most of the mass I attended at the National Shrine was in Nolasco Chapel. The Centre stage at the chapel goes to Baby Mariam...

The Crib at the National Shrine Vallarpadam is perhaps the biggest one can find anywhere, this year too the creativity scaled up the layout to a good part of Bethlehem town to a scale size. 

The Pentecost

As we reflect on the sacred moment of Pentecost — when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in a rush of wind and flame — it’s important to remember that this wasn’t an isolated miracle. It was deeply connected to a much older and holy tradition from the Jewish faith, one that Jesus Himself honored and fulfilled.

On the Holy Ghost feast day. 

Let us go back to the root of it all: a festival called Shavuot (pronounced "Sha-voo-ot")

🌾 

Shavuot is a Jewish festival that takes place 50 days after Passover. The word “Shavuot” means “Weeks”, and it marks two things:

1. The first harvest of wheat in the land of Israel — a joyful offering of gratitude.

2. More importantly, it commemorates the giving of the Torah — God’s law — to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.

This moment at Sinai — when God revealed His will through the Ten Commandments — is seen as the birth of the nation of Israel as a people in covenant with God.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). *And they did — but not only out of obedience.*

They were also there for Shavuot, as devout Jews. You see, Shavuot is one of the three major pilgrimage feasts in Judaism. According to Jewish law, every Jewish man was to come to Jerusalem for this festival (Deuteronomy 16:16).

That’s why, in Acts 2, we read that Jews from every nation under heaven were in Jerusalem. It was Shavuot — and they were gathered to celebrate.

On Mount Sinai, God gave His people the Torah, written on stone tablets.

On Mount Zion (Jerusalem), during that very festival of Shavuot, God gave the Holy Spirit, writing His law on human hearts — just as the prophet Jeremiah had foretold (Jer. 31:33).

In both cases:

There was a mighty sound.

There was fire.

There was a covenant.

There was a beginning — first, of a people, and then of the Church.

This is not coincidence. It’s fulfillment.

When the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, it was the moment Jesus had prepared them for. Empowered by the Spirit, they began to speak in many languages — reaching the diverse crowd in Jerusalem with one message: that Jesus is the Messiah.

Three thousand people were baptized that day (Acts 2:41). That number is significant — it mirrors the number who died at Sinai after the sin of the golden calf (Exodus 32:28). At Pentecost, grace replaced judgment. Life replaced death. A new community was born — not defined by race or nation, but by faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

From that day on, belief in Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit became inseparable. As Peter said:

> “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Baptism became the entry point — a visible sign of faith and a participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal upon us, guiding, comforting, and empowering believers to live in holiness and bear witness.

What began at Sinai with the giving of the Law was fulfilled at Pentecost with the giving of the Spirit. We, as Christians, are heirs to that promise. Pentecost is not a new invention — it is the flowering of the seed planted long ago in the soil of Israel.

Understanding this makes Pentecost even more beautiful. It reminds us that our faith is rooted — not floating — and that Christ came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).

May this deeper understanding of Pentecost enrich your heart. Let us never forget that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, came to us on a day already holy, to fulfill a plan already set in motion.

And just like the apostles, we too are called to gather, to wait, to receive, and then to go forth — filled with the Spirit, bearing witness to the truth and love of Christ.

Chag Shavuot Sameach and Happy Pentecost, dear friends.

A Sunday in July

That clock on the side was is very comforting for the lonely pilgrims who spend hours in and around the church. 

A Sunday view of the Altar. Getting ready for the feast in September. 

Church at noon on a sunny day of the monsoon. 

God bless all those who came to Vallarpadam today from far especially those who came with their new borns for dedication. Welcome to the tribe of 'Ransomers'. 

 

At times, life and its situations can overwhelm us. Even the most steadfast among us may feel, the God we trust in has abandoned us.

“My God, my God, why did you forsake me?

Why do You seems to be so far away from me;

Not helping me; not listening to my pleading.”

Psalms 22:1

The generations who have gone before us had also come across such phases of despair when all had seemed lost.

But they endured and survived, in faith.

³ “But you are enthroned as the Holy One,

The One whom Israel praises.

⁴ Our ancestors put their trust in You;

They trusted You and You saved them.

⁵ They called to You and were not disappointed. “

Psalms 22:3-5

Please do not be disappointed or give up in life.

“Endure and  Survive” in faith.

 

 

 

 

32 Degrees, yes it is hot, the summer is here. 

But not so, inside the church, with the sea breeze blowing 24x7.

Bread

Wishing everyone the strength and grace to enjoy their toil for bread. Blessed are they who can earn theirs from work they love to do.

Illusion

Life and its illusions. Its difficult to see through the happiness, sorrows and the other emotions and its phases life bring to us. We go up and down with it. Some elate and exhilarate us, some broke us. But the end we know we are carried away and has missed the point.

At those times, when we are blinded by the "Maya" the thought of the eternal existence, the memories of the titbits of the true colors of the real being, keep us going, without being too much affected by the illusion.

PS: Picture borrowed

Muziris

I was reading the acts of Apostle where Paul takes the ship to meet Cesar and the 14 day ordeal he had to experience at sea. What an amazing account of life at sea during those times. Perhaps the ship he was travelling which was bound for the ports of the eastern land Asia could be our Malabar shore-Muziris- which  was a famous trading port of that time.

Hope

The rain and few other things stopped me from getting to Vallarpadam today.

As I stayed home in the rainy day, I was feeling real glum about some events of last week when the positiveness of certain things I did dawned on me which cheered me up unbelievably.

A few good hearts tried to open a door of sunshine for an unfortunate neighbourhood who was loosing all the trading opportunities from tourism just because they were on the other side of the road where all the action and crowd was.

Earlier, I had did some work on a few things that had the potential to develop this part of the town an attraction too. But the people concerned where not thinking the way they should have been for their own benefit and for the ones around too. So the agony continued.

All of a sudden something happened by way of apparent destruction of the old quarters and some good heart were on to it for its protection and I was called in too. For three days we worked together the laybrinth of heirarchy, people and attitude to ensure the 'interest' stay intact over the weekend when the protecting machinery would be on holiday.

A lot to do to turn the dream of the neighbourhood to a reality, but a new hope and energy is filling me as more and more good hearts are joining in.

Monsoon Sunday

The Sunday after the feast of Holy Ghost. Vallarpadam Church was beautifully decorated. I did not take my camera. What a miss.

The blue pearls of serial lights glowed all over the main hall. The altar was decorated with more flowers and fresh covers over every table top.

The Portuguese image of Mary was placed in the middle of the main tower at the entrance. 

Since the festive mass on the 8th day of the feast was celebrated at length, the 11.30 am mass was at 12. Since the schools were opened the worshipers were less today.

Twice it rained, giving all of us the rich feel of the the strength and boldness of the monsoon at Vallarpadam. Sky cleared quickly both the times. 

Met a local committee member who gave me some information about Meenakshi Amma. There is a book available there now, written by Fr. Joseph Thottath, which has some history of the Church.

It is nice to see the Hindu family still has some connection with certain rituals of the church. I wish it continues that way forever. The symbol of our Kochi society's harmony and brotherhood.

The annual trolling ban started yesterday and there were many boats moored infront of the church. Another beautiful sight and a great photo opportunity.

Prayer of the season

Monsoon is on. For the fishing folks in Kochi, life has become little tougher.

Life for everyone, brings tough times. May we all have the strength and grace to deal with it positively. May we not even lose a moment worrying over what we are going to do, how we are going to deal with situations etc..

Let us bind our life in faith, God provides, He keeps, He leads..

Amen.

Holy Communion

How lucky those children who received today their first Holy communion, the day-April 27th- when two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II was declared saints.

Humbling experience

I had an invitation last evening, to a tenth marriage anniversary. I was hoping I would drop in and come back quickly. But the folks I went with stayed over the night there, so I had no choice but to stay the night at their outhouse near the backwaters. It was a beautiful, clean, cool night with gentle breeze and a lot of fresh air. 

Since I had an accounting class scheduled early morning on Sunday, I woke up early and decided to walk an hour's distance to my home so as to get ready and go for the lecture on time. It was about 5 in the morning. 

Half way through that village road, I heard some quick footsteps approaching in that morning silence. It was an elderly woman, around 7o, walking quickly for the 5.30 am mass. Inspite of her old age, she was committed to reach the church before the mass starts and was literally running all the way.  We walked together talking, rest of the way.

It was an humbling experience for me. I was never so committed in attending a full mass each time I attended the mass. What more to say, I missed my Sunday mass today. 

I am so glad, that old woman stands more justified before our God, for her simple, yet strong faith rather than anybody else's grasp or understanding of the theological concepts or spiritual gravitation. 

Thank you, My Lord, for this wonderful experience. How much more our simple Mother Mary would have been committed to her faith, and our very own Meenakshi Amma, Vallarpadam Mary's slave, in the way of practice of her faith. 

Very inspiring thoughts for me...

Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER

The lent days and the recollection of the Passion of Christ helped me deal with my own life and its problems very much. Three distinct miracles added on to the re-assurance, that if we carry our Cross well, we will be comforted and guided through to victory. 

One of the miracle was so personally pleasing that it knocked me out emotionally with joy. It also made me open my eyes to the fact that, I am using only 10% of the chances and opportunities that God so lovingly bring to me.

The first miracle taught me, indeed it is us and the way we act under pressure, that save our situation, our day. For us to deal with a problem we need to have presence of mind. For us to keep the presence of mind we need to stay calm, not to be affected by the emotional aspect of the situation.

The rituals and practices help us a lot to stay put in the right way...Without it we go astray, our mind go here and there. Ligthing the lamp for God in the morning and evening is one of my most adored ritual. Well, about that, later. 

Wishing you all my friends, a Happy Easter. May you all have the grace and understanding to realize what is your cross and live it well. Good Luck and God bless.

PS: The picture is from Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam.

Daily bread

Dear Lord! please bless everyone's way of earning bread!

 Mostly I have a bread roast and a banana fry along with a hot cup of tea from the small hotel near the last busstop on my way to the Seminary where I teach two commerce subjects for the young "would be" priests.  On hungry days, I eat two each.

Today was my last class there for the Academic year. 

Just like the classes, I have come to like this restaurant too. The staff there were very friendly and they always gave me their best in their hearts.
  

Thank you My Lord! for the wonderful opportunity. I tried my best, to give them, the students and everyone else, the best of the wonderful gift you have bestowed on me.

Missing already the morning trail and the hearts.

A gift...

Gift of a friend, when she moved away from our neighbourhood. Made out of Palm leaf splinter with colored plastic twain. 

She might have spent hours making, that makes it more dear than any other gift worth more in money. 

Thank You!

Carol

There is a family close to my home, who every year do the carol rounds without fail. Just the three kids and the dad. They do a good job. This year, they had a little companion, who was very enthusiastic to don the santa cap.

Merry christmas my friends, or should I say, happy memories 2011.

stars of 2012

Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen

Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen is another famous church in Kochi, though not as old as the 'Our lady of Ransom, Church at Vallarpadam, it is also a few hundred years old.
http://ptjosephrosa.blogspot.com
Joseph Rosa on his blog has related the church beautifully, You can read more about our lady of hope from there and see some touching pictures of Kochi from another proud Kochinier.