CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA KRISTU JIGNASA THEMATIC SERMONS Editor Rev. K. James Cecil Victor The views expressed in the book are those of the authors and the publisher takes no responsibility for any of the statements. Kristu Jignasa GREETINGS BY THE MODERATOR "Jignasa" in Sanskrit is to know - an inquisition to learn. The Bhashyam (commentary) to Upanishads begin with Adato Brahma Jignasa , the beginning of the inquiry of the knowledge about the supreme power, and then the interpretation of Vedas follow. In our context the learning of the scriptures is equally to be understood under this expression Jignasa because we are longing to learn about the ultimate truth who is personified in Jesus the Christ. The learning of that Truth is Kristu Jignasa, which means learning about Jesus who is inherent both in Holy Scriptures and also in the scriptures of our neighbouring faith. The prophetic expressions crept in the Holy Scriptures have indicated the manifestation of power of God through incarnation of Jesus as the Vyaktha or the manifested one of the divine power. In other words Jesus himself contained the kingdom and when he was moving the kingdom itself was moving around with Him by transforming the world and creation by his word and deed. It is from disciples of Jesus through the ages the pilgrim Church exhibited her humility to learn and understand those precepts from Holy Scriptures which spoke about Jesus the Christ and His exalted state. Further, the scriptures also indicated how Jesus became the fulfilment of all the prophecies towards realizing that kingdom which God has established in and through Jesus not only for the humanity but also for entire creation. Therefore the kingdom that Jesus preached does contain the cosmic element which goes beyond the human understanding. It is in this context the lessons prescribed for every Sunday including the collects, the outlines for thematic sermons do express the longing of the faithful ones to know, feel and experience that kingdom which is realised. Jignasa , a passionate desire and inquiry to learn and know about this truth, the mystery, is hoped to illuminate and enlighten the mind and life of believing communities. Thus, discovering Jesus the Christ is the basis of Jignasa. Hence Kristu Jignasa- the enquiry about Christ. I take this opportunity to record my appreciation to the Department of Pastoral Concerns and especially to the editor and the contributors for making bringing out this resource. I trust and pray that this would become a useful tool for the clergy as well as laity for personal reflections and even preaching the word of God. In God’s Service, Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam Moderator, Church of South India Kristu Jignasa Preface On the occasion of the 70 th Formation Day of the Church of South India, the Department of Pastoral Concerns is pleased to publish “ Jijñāsā ”, a book with Sermon Outlines in three volumes. Jijñāsā is the process of gaining knowledge through understanding and comprehension. Jijñāsā is the desire to explore, inquire, and experience the knowledge of the living Word, who reveals himself in and through the written word, the Scripture. Jijñāsā is a process of self- discovery in light of the One who reveals himself in the Bible. Jijñāsā is also a process of understanding and reclaiming the identity of the believing community. Jijñāsā challenges us to encounter God in the pages of the Bible, in the communities that live among us and around us. Jijñāsā gives us the certainty of the accompanier who is our eternal contemporary. The book contains a series of sermons prepared based on the texts and themes prescribed in three-cycled Revised Lectionary prepared by the Worship and Mission Commission of the Communion of Churches in India for use among its constituent members, the Church of North India, the Church of South India and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. It is my ardent prayer that the book may become a powerful resource for the ministers who share the Word of God in the congregations. Let the Word of God permeate and penetrate into the hearts and minds of people, who patiently wait upon the Lord to speak to them. Let it begin a process of jijñāsā ; of inquisitiveness and curiosity, and enable people to embark on an exploration of the precepts of faith. May this be a spiritually-rewarding and fulfilling journey wherein, each faithful member and the communities of the faithful come to know the One who is being revealed in the scriptures more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more closely. I appreciate and congratulate the Director and the Department of Pastoral Concerns for bringing out this most essential resource material for the edification of the Church. I thank all those who, with their readiness to share their ideas, concepts and experiences, have contributed to the volumes. Let all glory be to God alone who enlightens and empowers the Church to move forward on her pilgrimage. Rev. Dr. D. Rathnakara Sadananda General Secretary, CSI Kristu Jignasa FOREWORD “As a deer earnestly pants for the water, so my soul pants for you O God” Ps 42:1 Desire to know God is part of one’s spiritual experience that is persistent with the people of God. The more we yearn, the more we understand the love of God that is unfathomable and his grace that is all sufficient. There are many factors which influence our God-experiences and even our quest to know God as the life and the world itself often offer and surprise us with curious endeavors. Besides, the science and technological developments, archeological inventions, the global market economy and globalization ventures also attempt to either change the nature of human desires or put flavor into their desires with different ideological aspects. Hence, while the humanity has begun its journey within these mythical endeavors of life aspirations, the call or reminder to have a desirable search to know Christ more also being offered from our faith convictions and its activities. As Psalmist says “as a deer earnestly pants for the water, so my soul pants for you (42:1),” in order to be a disciple of Christ, being panted for God or to experience God has to become our day today experience in our spiritual journey. Kristu Jignasa is not like a human longing or aspiration to attain or own the materials, relations and the world, but it is being experience of panting to live with the Lord, or journey with the Lord to become part of Christ’s community. It is true that, “Knowing God is knowing oneself” – the curiosity to understand God more is in turn helps us to understand ourselves. As a result, we begin to have God – centered life, in other words, selflessness persona will beautify all endeavors of our life. Kristhu Gignasa, the thematic sermons prepared by the Department of Pastoral Concerns is commendable. I would like to congratulate Rev. K. James Cecil Victor, Director of the Department for bring out this book which I believe would enhance the God-experience of the people of God Rt. Rev. Thomas K Oommen Deputy Moderator, CSI Kristu Jignasa INTRODUCTION The quest to know and understand God is innate to human being. The urge to know God and God’s purposes is often quenched through his word and manifold revelations. St. Paul says, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ”. Knowing Christ and gaining Christ are integral to Christian living. I t is in knowing God that our lives, attitudes and relationships will be shaped. The reason for the greed and related exploitation in the world is due to erroneous notion about God. Sermon themes and texts prepared by the Lectionary Committee of the Communion of Churches in India (CCI) helps the churches to systematically unfold the knowledge of God and the mysteries of God embedded in the Bible. The Department of Pastoral Concerns makes efforts to bring out the thematic sermon notes to help the pastors / preachers in their effective preaching. Kristu Jignasa is believed to quip the pulpits to become effective servants of the Lord. The inquisition to know Christ should be increased in all through the meditation and reflections on the word of God. I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all the Officers of the Synod, Resource Persons and the Office Secretary of the Pastoral Concerns Department. Thanks to the printer as well. I hope and pray that the resources provided in this book will help the pastors in their preparation for the ministry of the word of God. Rev. K. James Cecil Victor Director, Pastoral Concerns Kristu Jignasa God’s Continuing Act of Grace Zeph. 3:14-20 Psalm 136 Romans 5:1-11 Luke 13:1- 9 E: Joe l 2:23-27 Revelation 3:7- 13 The New Year ushers in new hopes and possibilities with a fresh outlook of life, faith and service. We praise God for what we could achieve and now seek God’s grace and guidance to accomplish what is expected of us in this New Year. Today we celebrate God’s continued acts of grace in our individual lives and families. It’s a day to pray for God’s wisdom to realize our dreams and aspirations, visions and goals. Unless God sanctifies, we cannot achieve anything. The Bible declares that God is surrounded by his faithfulness and He never ceases to be faithful to his covenant.