Celebrating May Day when migrant labourers walk 1000 kilometres back home... www.csi1947.com May 2020 COVER BY: Mr. Yesudas P. M. He is a well-known illustration artist for the front line Magazines in Kerala. He is a theatre artist too. Currently, he works as a 2 Drawing Master in a government school in Kerala. COVID 19: A Time to be United, Sharing and EDITOR’S DESK Caring Community reetings in the name of the by certain Dioceses. In the days government in Kerala cohesively Lord Jesus Christ! ahead we also need to provide soaps, handled the pandemic situation is G hand wash solutions and sanitizers appreciable. Likewise, we are called I am writing this message, in large quantity. to continuously uphold the Doctors, while the nations are facing Nurses and other health providers challenges of pandemic Covid-19 The role our mission hospitals has in our regular prayers for their with all its might and expertise. played during this pandemic reminds strength and safety. At this juncture, India has also borne the brunt of me that we are still committed to we express our sincere thanks and the COVID-19. To minimise the carrying out the vision and mission gratitude to our mission partners for spread of the virus, the lockdown of our pioneers who established their prayers and solidarity and we was announced in India from 22nd these hospitals for the welfare of the assure our continuous prayers for March 2020, which has sealed humankind. Stepping-out reminds their wellbeing. borders not only of the states but me of our missionaries who risked of the districts within the states their lives to provide health services, Let us commit ourselves into the and containment area within the while many refrained and refused. mighty hands of our God with a districts. This lockdown has severely prayerful attitude that He may be affected the labourers and migrants Further, a pathetic situation in few of gracious to still the spread of the who solely depend on their wages the Southern States is that when the virus and to instil the lessons that to meet their ends. The majority of places of worship are not permitted this pandemic is teaching, which the people stood by the government to reopen, the government has includes a greater concern towards not only by adhering the directions reopened alcohol shops, thus earning our nature. While closing this given from time to time but in hundreds of crores primarily from its message, I would also like to suggest extending supportive hands to their marginalised citizens even during this to use the term ‘physical distancing’ neighbourhood. pandemic period. instead of ‘social distancing’, which shall be appropriate in the Indian Stepping-out, especially when advised Whenever we face a crisis, we often context. to Stay-in is seen as an act of love identify ourselves with the psalmist through the faith in God. With their to experience the same hope and … I was hungry and you gave me lives at risk, finding encouragement trust that the psalmist experienced in food, I was thirsty and you gave me and solace in the promises of God, the presence of God. In spite of this something to drink, I was a stranger many local pastorates rose to the difficult situation that this pandemic and you invited me in, I was naked occasion to cater to the immediate has created, it has given us a time to and you gave me clothing, I was sick needs of their neighbours. In most spend more time in the presence of and you took care of me… I tell you of the places, local church pastors, the God to introspect our lives and to the truth, just as you did it for one of leaders and congregation members mend our walks and ways. the least of these brothers or sisters of without expecting any support mine, you did it for me.- (Mat. 25: 35- from their Diocese or the Synod We covet your special prayers for 36 & 40 NET) Stopping for a brief time headquarters, extended their fullest Kasargod in Kerala, Chennai in Tamil with prayers. support by all means and methods. Nadu, Benglaluru in Karnaraka, Considering that hunger known is Karnool in Andhra Pradesh and Yours in His vineyard, cruel and aching than the unknown Hyderabad in Telangana, which virus, the Dioceses actively participate are the most affected districts in C. Fernandas Rathina Raja in providing food provisions, food Southern India. The State of Kerala General Secretary, CSI packets to the needy and blood identified the first case in India and donation camps were also conducted the manner in which the people and www.csi1947.com May 2020 3 Labour Day or the International Workers Day proclaims the dignity of work and the achievements of the working class. leasure in the job puts and virtue. As on the harvest day, perfection in the work. when we give generously with PSince Genesis human joyfulness, the Lord promises to beings are called to work. It bless our hands in all our work is undeniable that work and and in everything we do. creativity distinguish man from the rest of the creatures. There A hard worker has plenty of cannot be the fullest satisfaction food, but a person who chases than a task performed well. The fantasies has no sense. Proverbs dignity of humankind lies in his/ 12:11 her labour. Every labourer is an instrument for god’s plan. The Down the history of civilization BibleBible throws light about work men have laboured a lot. We and idleness. God expects men labour and strive as we entrust to work willingly with happiness our belief in god to reap our for his name is glorified rather blessings. God hates the idle than for the earthly masters. mind. The word of god makes it Christian perspectives underline clear that wealth and prosperity the views of ecclesiast as there is come through those who endure nothing better for a person than pain and suffering rather than by to enjoy their work. Work gives chasings dreams and schemes. us pleasure and as we enjoy our work it heightens blessings. There Psychologically Work has various may be painstaking situations benefits which one may not realize. and circumstances of working It is good for an individual, family monotonously but GodGod never and society. It imparts us with forgets our earnest efforts and a way of supporting and caring Dr. R. S. A. Susikaran rewards our labour. our families and fulfils one’s own hails from the Trichy- needs. It makes us to contribute Tanjore Diocese of the You will eat the fruit of your to the society and to help the poor Church of South India. labour; blessings and prosperity and needy. It also contributes to He has been serving as will be yours. Psalm 128:2 support the church and build the the Associate Professor kingdom of Lord. of English at Bishop As we turn the leaves of the Holy Heber College in Trichy. Scripture we can find Cain the first The Sabbath was made for man, Farmer, Joseph a governor, Daniel and not man for the Sabbath. a ruler of a foreign nation, Moses Mark 2:27 a herdsman, David a shepherd, Mathew an administrator, Luke a Of all the remaining six days of doctor, Paul a tent maker, Peter toiling work, the Lord expects rest a fisherman and Jesus was a on the seventh day to worship, to carpenter. God wants us to work hear his word and remain happy in our given profession with truth by enjoying fellowship with one www.csi1947.com 4 May 2020 seasons of life are inevitable, yet hope survives. There are hope and help for challenging times. The word of God helps us to fight back overwhelming discouragement. Though it seems obviously impossible to trust God during hard times, hardship is the greatest blessing God can bestow on us. The biblical terms Faith and hope remain distinctive yet they are related. There cannot be hope without faith. another. A true Christian who million labours forced to move Without faith, it is impossible really obeys his command to to their native lands in search of to please Him. Hebrews 11:6 observe the day with peace and work and shelter. Migrant outflows solemnity becomes refreshed in from every region were robust and A Staunch supporter of church his mind and body. It is, of course, some left to die out of hunger. The embellishes the doctrine of a Law to remain off work and aftermath of lockdown will produce God, imitate the characteristics extra time to pray and get closer further serious implications for of almighty like goodness, through meditation. livelihoods and job security. The faithfulness, honesty, and International Labour Organization integrity. God expects the Israelites Come to me, all you who labour estimates that 400 Billion informal to know the power of almighty and are heavy laden and I will workers around the world will sink from the miraculous crossing of give you rest. Matthew 11:28- into poverty further. Labourers, the Jordan River. The Ark of the 30 especially in the quarantine period Covenant was the throne of God. It experience isolation; some are is clear that the Lord encountered The verse clearly states to those pushed to anxiety, anger, stress the danger by entering the river who are heavy-laden in spirit, and agitation. There lies a lack of first, to demonstrate as a protector mind, will, and emotions cannot practical and emotional support. of Israelites. Similarly, the walls function well because of the of Jericho were pulled down oppressed weight of depression.