Foreword

Foreword

This Sunday is the second Sunday after Pentecost. The gospel reading is from Matthew 10:34-11:1.

34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:34-39 (NKJV)

This passage is very familiar to most of us. Frankly, we get a bit confused when Jesus informs his disciples that he didn't come to bring peace but a sword. He didn't come to bring unity in this world, but division. How can he say that, we may ask. Didn't Jesus say,

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 (NKJV)

So, do we sense some hypocrisy in this passage? This is explained well in the Malankara World Journal issue 289 ( http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_289.htm )and other archived issues cited in the current journal.

Father's Day

This Sunday is also Father's Day. You may recall that last month we celebrated Mother's Day. This month it is our (Fathers) turn to gloat over. Although in the current western world, mothers assume more importance; but in the biblical times with Jewish Patriarchal Society, fathers commanded more power and respect. In a Christian family, fathers assume the position of the head of the household. Just like Jesus is the head of the church, and church is the body, man assumes an important role in our theological set up. He is the crown or the head of the Christian Family.

With the position comes the responsibility too. Studies have shown that dads have a great influence on the children. The children try to imitate their dads in their own lives. Boys want to be like their dads. The girls want their husband to be like their dads. If dads go to church every Sunday the children will attend too.

Dr. James Dobson of Family Talk had it right on the money when he said,

"As fathers, our lives will leave indelible imprints on the hearts of our children. The most effective teaching tool of values and beliefs is in the modeling provided by parents at home."

Please watch a short video on the Power of a Dad prepared by Dr. Dobson. You can see it here:

The Power of a Dad
http://www.drjamesdobson.org/specials/the-power-of-a-dad

So, as we celebrate the Father's Day this weekend, and when we hear from our children and grandchildren, let us understand the God-given influence we have on your children. Sure, it takes both mother and father and a whole village to raise a child. But as Dr. Dobson said, "The depth of your character and the life you live each day will have an incredible and indelible impact on your sons and daughters."

More on the role of fathers in Christian life in the current issue of the journal and from the archived issues cited in the current issue.

Continue to enjoy the fine summer weather in North America. To our friends in Australia and New Zealand, it is the winter there. Hope it won't be too severe this year.

Dr. Jacob Mathew
Malankara World