THE KINGDOM Volume - 2

English
A book serial to grow in the experience
of the Kingdom of God

A BOOK SERIAL TO GROW IN THE

Copy Right: Thomas Paul
EXPERIENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Volume - II
The Manager,
The Kingdom Publications,
A/1-B, Garden Court, Opp. P.O.C, Palarivattom,
Edappally P.O, Kochi - 682024.
THOMAS PAUL Ph. 0484-343633

Published by:
Mrs. Valsa Thomas for the Kingdom Publications
Printed at: Viani Printings, Ernakulam.

THE KINGDOM
PUBLICATIONS
KOCHI
 PREFACE

....... and their nets

CONTENTS were tearing (Lk:5:6)
1. ....... and their nets were tearing (Lk:5:6) 5 As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when
he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
2. The Christian is another Christ Receive the Holy Spirit(Jn 20:22).
-Pope John Paul 7 To put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch in
each of your ministry, is possible only with the help of the Holy
3. The mystery of the Kingdom of God (Mk 4:11) 8 Spirit. The disciples started doing the same things as Jesus did, once
they were filled with the Spirit after Pentecost. The very same Spirit,
4. Born Again 19 whose power was poured forth to His disciples then, is the Holy One
dwelling in each of us today. When we rely on the power of the Holy
5. Where I am, there will my Spirit dwelling within us, we can do greater things every moment.
servant be also (Jn 12:26). 26 This fact we can find in the biographies of the saints. St. Paul, St.
Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis and
6. Spiritual Gifts 33 many other saints and Mother Teresa who shall join this list - all be-
long to the group of men and women, who by the power of the Holy
7. Gather together; The Riches of the Church 38
Spirit, put out their nets into deep water.
8. You are the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13) 46
....... and their nets were tearing
9. Healing 51
After He had finished speaking, He said to Simon:
10. The Word in Family life 54 Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a
catch. Simon said in reply, Master, we have worked
hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your com-
mand I will lower the nets. When they had done this,
they caught a great number of fish and their nets were
tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat
 to come to help them. They came and filled both boats
so that they were in danger of sinking (Lk. 5:4-7).
When we put out nets into deep water, we have to see we join
hands as a team so as to succeed in our mission. We should have the
disposition of humility and love, and be willing to show it by calling
others to assist us. Or else the net may tear. We do not call out to
others for help despite the fact that our nets have begun to tear, hence The Christian
many of our ministries are not successful.
Initially, I used to conduct retreats alone. The catch started in- is another Christ
creasing as greater numbers of people started attending the holiness
retreats and experiencing the Kingdom. I heard the voice of the Lord. Pope John Paul II
Put out into deep water. ... And my net was tearing. And then I
signaled to partners in the other boat. They did come to help.
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus said to the apostles: I am
Thus when we started to work as a team, the catch filled both boats
with you always, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20). Though invis-
so that they were in danger of sinking. The ministries grew rapidly
ible, He is personally present in His Church. He is likewise present in
to spread Gods Kingdom through audiocassettes on sermons and
each Christian, by virtue of baptism and the other sacraments. It was
hymns, by the grace of God. And again the net started tearing for,
usual to say, as the era of the Fathers, Christianus alter Christus
we were trying on our own. Again we called others for help and
(The Christian is another Christ), meaning by this to emphasize the
found success in their assistance. For, then the Lord blessed in the
dignity of the baptized and his vocation, through Christ, to holiness.
publishing of books to spread His Kingdom. Now, when we tried
alone, the net was tearing. And when we enlarged the team, with Furthermore, Christ brings about a special presence in every
the assistance from new members, the efforts found success. priests, who when celebrating the Eucharist or administering the sac-
Dear friends in Christ. Let us strive jointly in brotherhood so that raments, does so in persona Christi.
our nets may not tear. Let us pray for the inspiration of the Holy If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they
Spirit by which we shall be able to put out into deep water and kept my word, they will also keep yours (Jn 15:20).
lower nets for catch. Here, I sincerely thank Rev. Paul TheLAkkattu
(The chief editor, Sathyadeepam) for verifying the manuscripts of
these articles. I wish your ministries all success.
Pope John Paul II
With love and prayers,
Crossing the Threshold of Hope
THOMAS PAUL

7

Kingdom of God - continued from the previous volume
The mystery of the
Kingdom of God (Mk 4:11)
In the previous issue we had seen the various aspects of the
Kingdom of God. That this was the central point of all teachings of
Jesus. That this was what Jesus preached through His Words, action
and His very presence. The Kingdom has four distinct levels. And
about the kingdom of world which works against the Kingdom of
God; and the difference between the two kingdoms.
Knowledge of the mysteries
of the Kingdom of God
On a closer look in Gospels, in the method of Jesus proclama-
tions of Kingdom of God, something lofty and wonderful can be seen
that, only to His disciples Jesus revealed the knowledge of the mys-
teries of the Kingdom of God. But to the rest, they are made known
through parables.
With many such parables He spoke the Word to them,
as they were able to understand. Without parables He
did not speak to them, but to His own disciples He ex-
plained everything in private (Mk. 4:33-34).
Jesus specially made this known to them when His disciples
approached Him and questioned Him about the parables when He
was alone.
8 9
And when He was alone, those present along with the
Twelve questioned Him about the parables (Mk. 4:10).
Jesus said to them, Do you not understand this par-
able? Then how will you understand any of the para-
bles? (Mk. 4:13).
In all the synoptic Gospels we see as below.
The disciples approached him and said, Why do you speak
to them in parables? He said to them in reply, Because
knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been
granted (Mt. 13:10-11; Mk. 4:10-12; Lk. 8: 9-10).
Now, what is the gift to gain this knowledge of the mysteries
of the kingdom of heaven? One needs to pray for this gift; is to
understand the Gospel mysteries. Especially those among us who are
seminarians, those who are engaged in theological studies and vari-
ous ministries, should pray fervently for this special gift. Only by this
gift shall one be able to understand the characteristics of the Heav-
enly Kingdom and its various levels, and thus one receives in oneself
an experience of the Kingdom of Heaven at a personal level.
This gift that grants knowledge of the mysteries of the king-
dom of heaven is bestowed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The
Advocate, The Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name He
will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you
(Jn.14:26).This is a truth I experience every day in my life. For, I
have never studied theology. Never had the fortune to attend even
one session at a Bible college or any such institution. But when I ask,
when I pray to the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, these are revealed
to me. The same that which happened to those illeterate fishermen to
whom the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
was granted with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost
(cf. Acts. 2:14-47). Till then they were of the belief that, the Kingdom
of God meant a new empire or a new government that was to be
established in Israel (cf. Acts. 1:6). At the coming of such a power
structure, they did desire positions on the left and the right of the
throne (cf. Mt. 20:21). But with the Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit
filled them, they received the gift in its fullness, then they never thought
such notions of the world, instead they started proclaiming the mys-
teries of the Kingdom of God.
One day, Jesus asked His disciples:
But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in
reply, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Jesus said to him in reply, Blessed are you Simon son of
Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but my heavenly Father (Mt. 16:15-17).
The heavenly Father had revealed this through His Holy Spirit. It was
not given to others who were gathered there. No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draw him (Jn. 6:44). Jesus Him-
self is the Kingdom of God. To believe in Jesus, to receive Jesus, to
proclaim Jesus, is to know the Kingdom of God. And it begin with the
action of the Holy Spirit.
St. Paul the Apostle makes this better known to us in his letter to
the Ephesians.
... the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as
I have written briefly earlier. When you read this you can
understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which
was not made known to human beings in other genera-
tions as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit, ....... Of this I became a minister
by the gift of Gods grace that was granted me in accord
with the exercise of His power. To me, the very least of
all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the
Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to
10
light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from
ages past in God who created all things (Eph. 3:3-9).
The Holy Spirit is benevolent to bestow the same gift to each of us
who are in fact the very least of all. The gift to know the knowl-
edge of the Kingdom of God is given to you.
The heavenly Kingdom as a person
... to whom God chose to make known the riches of the
glory of this mystery ... it is Christ in you, the hope for
glory (Col. 1:27).
The mystery hidden in the Word, as Jesus says Behold the Kingdom
of God is within you (Lk. 17:21). Is that - Christ is in you. All the
Pauline letters reflect this mystery that was revealed to him the
mystery of the God dwelling within us. No longer I, but Christ lives
in me (Gal. 2:20). Which means that, the Kingdom of God is very
much within me. It has to be noted here that in his encyclical letter
Redemptoris Missio, the Holy Father Pope John Paul II has given
this precise relationship between the person of Christ and the King-
dom of God. The Kingdom cannot be detached either from Christ or
from the Church (RM 18). The Kingdom of God is not a concept; a
doctrine; or a program subject to free interpretation. But it is before
all else a person with the face and name of Jesus of Nazareth, the
image of the invisible God (RM 18).
The mystery of the Kingdom of God and
the experience of the Kingdom of God
Another thing understood from my personal life is that the one
to whom the grace of the knowledge of the mysteries of the King-
dom of God has been granted, it will be revealed only if he remains
in the experience of the Kingdom of God. For, if by any reason one
happens to become a victim to the lures of the flesh, or become en-
11
slaved by evil desires, or fall into sinfulness, then the mysteries shall
remain closed to that person until such times the person repents again
and return back to the status of experiencing the Kingdom of God.
This is so because, if the person is not in the status of experiencing
the Kingdom of God, then the person is in the sinful state the king-
dom of sin the kingdom of the world the kingdom of enemy.
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather
with me scatters (Lk. 11:23). The one, who is not with God, is not in
His Kingdom. Hence it is not possible for him to know the divine
mysteries. And for this reason Jesus said:
Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom
of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not
been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given,
and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even
what he has will be taken away (Mt. 13:11-12).
The one who prevails in the experience of the Kingdom of God
is the one who has; to him, more will be given, and he will
grow rich. That is the meaning of the Word of Jesus But seek
first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
will be given you besides (Mt. 6:33). The one who seeks and finds,
the one who experiences, is the one who has, to him all the will be
given besides. Now, anyone who has not, is the one who doesnt
experience the Kingdom of God Hence he is in the kingdom of
enemy. That persons activities conform to that of the worldly king-
dom. Therefore , even what he has will be taken away.
The one in the kingdom of this world, would view all things with
a worldly eye. In that person, the spiritual eye the internal eye,
remains shut. To such, neither the revelations of the Kingdom of God,
nor the mysteries can be seen or comprehended. Hence Jesus said:
That is why I speak to them in parables, because they
look but do not see and hear but do not listen or under-
stand. Isaiahs prophesy is fulfilled in them, which says:
12
You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall in-
deed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this peo-
ple, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed
their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with
their ears and understand with their heart and be con-
verted, and I heal them (Mt.13:13-15).
In this condition, it is impossible for a person to understand the revela-
tion of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, is impossible. But it is
possible for that person to understand the parables and in due course
his eyes and ears will open, listening and understanding will take place.
In other words, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he was at-
tracted with Father.
I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is
coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but
I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you
will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask
the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you,
because you have loved me and have come to believe
that I came from God. I came from the Father and have
come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and
going back to the Father. His disciples said, Now you
are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech
(Jn. 16:25-29).
When the Love of Father, which is His Holy Spirit, comes into a
person, it draws the person to the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.
The inner eye opens. And this God brought forth through the Pente-
cost.
It will come to pass in the last days, God says, that I
will pour out a portion of My Spirit upon all flesh. ....
(Acts. 2:17).
And thus it shall come to pass Jesus Word in the Gospel ac-
cording to Matthew
13
 But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your
ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many proph-
ets and righteous people longed to see what you see but
did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear
it. .... (Mt.13:16-17).
Hence did apostle Paul write in his letter to Ephesians .... insight
into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human
beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit .... (Eph. 3:4-5). This happened
by .......giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles
whom Jesus had chosen (Acts. 1:1-2) and He rejoiced in the Holy
Spirit and said, I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been
your gracious will (Lk. 10:21). There fore we can be happy and
encouraged that Jesus will be very happy to give us the revelations of
God through Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom of God at a personal level
The Kingdom of God is among you (Lk. 17:21)
To the question as to when the kingdom shall come, Jesus an-
swered the Pharisees like this:
The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be
observed, and no one will announce, Look here it is, or,
There it is. For behold, the Kingdom of God is among
you (Lk. 17:21).
In the Bible, the footnote to this verse says that the word
among could also be translated as within. The understanding and
the very experiencing of the Kingdom of God, is by itself the personal
level of the Kingdom that which Jesus Christ has already established
within each and every human.
14
Seek, you shall find
Only when one seek and discover within him and feel in his
heart, this personal level of the Kingdom of God, - then shall one
find the Kingdom. Only then shall the salvation mysteries be ful-
filled in that persons life. And the divine revelation become under-
standable. Hence Jesus said:
But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteous-
ness, and all these things will be given you besides
(Mt. 6:33).
Only by first discovering its experience in a personal level, shall it be
possible to spread the Kingdom of God to the social level and then to
the universal level.
... who enters does so with violence
By the power of the Spirit who dwells in man deification
(divinization) begins already here on earth, the creature is transfig-
ured and the Kingdom of God is inaugurated (OL 6). To each of
us it is through the blessings and the grace of God that the Kingdom
of God and the Eternal Salvation is bestowed. Yet; each of us
have to strive on our own to possess it. Our Lord Jesus says:
.... the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the
violent are taking it by force ( Mt. 11:12).
The law and the prophets lasted until John; but from
then on the Kingdom of God is proclaimed, and every-
one who enters does so with violence (Lk. 16:16).
Through toil and suffering, through a life lived according to the
Gospel, through abnegation and the Cross, through the Spirit of the
beatitudes. But above all each individual gains them through a total
interior renewal which the Gospel calls metanoia; it is a radical con-
15
 Inner Transformation version a profound change of mind and heart (Mt.4:17) (Evangelii
and the experience of the Kingdom of God Nuntiandi. 10)
through Inner Holiness We enter the Kingdom of God only through repentance. Jesus
said:
Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like
children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven
(Mt.18:3).
OMNIPRESENT When we cleanse our hearts, we see the God dwelling within. We
HOLY TRINITY find the Kingdom of God within us.
Kingdom of God Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God
(Mtt. 5:8).
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness,
without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).
Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with
me (Jn.13:8).
Thus by repentance, followed by works of renewal and holiness, the
Holy Spirit Himself shall enlighten our hearts, to let us find estab-
lished within our very selves - the Kingdom of God and the fellowship
of the Trinitarian God. These alone make us to participate in the
Trinitarian life, and to experience the Kingdom of God at a personal
level.

To experience the Kingdom of God and

Holy trinity in us to be born again
Spirit
Conscience Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the Kingdom
Unconscious mind of God without being born from above (Jn. 3:3).
Subconscious mind Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the King-
Conscious mind dom of God without being born of water and Spirit
Senses
(Jn. 3:5).
Body
Jesus here is precise about the personal experience of the Heavenly
Kingdom. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being

16 17
born from above which means; each one should enter His King-
dom, should enter and experience it, should enter Salvation, should
enter into fellowship with the Trinitarian God for, this is the objec-
tive of God. The metaphor - being born of water and the Spirit -
needs detailed study. This we shall do in the oncoming chapters. For
now, let us understand the following truth. If only one is born again,
the personal level of the Kingdom of God can be experienced in ones
own life. Only then can one reflect this to ones social life. And only
then it can be spread to the universal level. By being reborn of
water and the Spirit, a person is transformed by The Word and The
Spirit to become a new creation.
... neither ... avail anything; but a new creation
(Gal. 6:15).
Our soul, mind and body should undergo a transformation if we
are to become a new creation. This happens by the power of the
Holy Spirit dwelling within us. These areas within us Our (1) Soul,
(2) Conscience, (3) Unconscious mind, (4) Subconscious mind, (5)
Conscious mind, (6) Senses, (7) Body have to be sanctified. Of this
sanctification, and of how through this a person obtains total spiritual
liberation, these we shall see in the next issue.
(To be continued in the next issue)
18
Born Again
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face
of the waters. Then God said, Let there be light; and
there was light (Gen. 1:2-3).
When we look at the creation of God, there are two factors in the
beginning. The first the Divine Wind the Spirit of God. The sec-
ond the Voice of God The Word. In the very first verses of the
book of Genesis, we see that the Divine Wind (the Spirit of God) was
hovering over the face of the waters. The Spirit of God is dynamic
- like the wind, like the doveetc. It has Life in it. Only that, which
has life, moves. Into that dynamic and divine force which in full
vitality creativity waits upon the Father to obey every word of His.
Into it came Fathers very first Voice the very first Word. Thus
creation of Light - and it is born. By the first Word, Let there be
light . And light was born. The birth of light was created by God by
the union of His Spirit and His Word. Thus one after the other, God
created all. God created man in His image (Gen. 1:27). Thus man
was born from God in his divine nature.
Man lost his divine nature due to the sin of the first parents.
They were cast out from paradise. The Kingdom of God was lost to
man and he begot the kingdom of sin. All generations henceforth
were born in sin. Man is a sinner by his very birth. To be born again is
to regain the divine nature that was lost towards this sinful state.
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the Kingdom
of God without being born of water and Spirit(Jn. 3:5).
Here Jesus is explaining the mystery of the Kingdom of God to
Nicodemus. To regain the lost divine nature, mankind has to be sanc-
tified by a new grace that of water (Word of God) and the Spirit,
and thus be born again. A spiritual rebirth - as exactly as how God
had did His creation in the beginning. This rebirth should take place
so as to regain the divine nature and one can enter the Kingdom of
God. ... neither ... avail anything; but a new creation (Gal. 6:15).
19
 But when the kindness and generous love of God our sav-
iour appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had
done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the
bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:4-5).
How can we who died to sin yet live in it? Or are you
unaware that we who have baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized to his death? We were indeed buried with him
through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised
from the dead by the Glory of the Father, we too might live
in newness of life (Rom. 6:2-4).
I will give you a new heart and place a new Spirit within
you (Ez. 36:26).
No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because
Gods seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is
begotten by God (1 Jn.3:9).
When God first created man, then too He had done it through
His Spirit and His Word. As it had happened to the first man, could
not the same happen that he shall fall into sin again? Naturally, this
question can occur to man. Yet, it has to be realized that the new
Spirit placed within us by God, by His covenant, is unlike the Spirit
that was hovering over the face of the waters. Instead, it is a new
Redemptive Spirit bought by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. It
was obtained by giving His life as a sin offering towards the entire
sins of humanity. It is the very blood and water that flowed out
Jesus heart. This is the new covenant in my blood, which will be
shed for you (Lk. 22:20). Hence, for one who is filled with the new
Spirit and become complete in it, it is impossible to sin.
You have been born anew, not from perishable but from
imperishable seed, through the living and abiding Word
of God ... (1Pet. 1:23).
... it (Gospel) is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes ... (Rom. 1:16).
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life
(Jn.6:63). You have the words of eternal life (Jn.6:68).
20
What is unequivocally established here is that one is born again
through the Word of God. And only through the Word of God, the
rebirth reaches completion. You are already pruned because of the
Word that I spoke to you (Jn.15:3). This exactly what Jesus had
prayed Father for. Holy Father, ... Consecrate them in truth. Your
Word is truth (Jn. 17:17). A lamp to my feet is your Word, a light to
my path (Ps. 119:105).
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the
one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not
worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the
Holy Spirit and fire (Mt. 3:11).
Those words which Jesus told Nicodemus (Jn. 3:5), conform
well with the proclamations of the Holy Spirit through the mouth of
John the Baptist. Both water and fire means the same The
Word of God. Is not my Word like fire, says the Lord, like a
hammer shattering rocks? (Jer. 23:29). Christ loved the church and
handed Himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath
of water with the Word (Eph. 5:25-26). It can be only by the living
hammer of Jesus Word, that the stony heart in ones body be trans-
formed to a natural heart. It is a divine action. Furthermore, by burn-
ing that natural heart with The Word as fire, and by washing that
natural heart with The Word as water, the divine action shall be to
root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to built and to
plan. (cf. Jer. 1:10). It is then that a person becomes a renewed crea-
tion and produce fruits of repentance.
Union of the Spirit and the Word
To reach the divine life in a person to its fullness, The Spirit and
The Word should unite. And this Spirit is the Redemptive Spirit of
Jesus, given to us after the Pentecost. The Word has to act upon this
to renew, transform and make divine the human hearts.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning
with God. All things came to be through Him, and with-
21
 out Him nothing came to be. What came to be through
Him was life, and this life was the life of the human
race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
has not overcome it (Jn. 1:1-5).
Here, The Word is a person who along with Father had worked in
the act of creation in the act of birth. Here we see the singularity of
the person in The Word. His creative power, His divine vitality and
His Driving spirit is manifested here. He was in the beginning with
God. By this reference to The Word as He, it should be understood
that, The Word as a person is similar to The Holy Spirit as a person,
and they both, like Father, possess Life and Light. The act of were. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ... (Acts. 2:2-
creation the act of birth happened, when The Word as a person and
The Holy Spirit as a person acted in unison. At the command Let
there be light; there came light. This occurred when The Word
Let there be light united with the Spirit that was hovering over the
face of the waters. Thus onto the Spirit, that hovers over the dark-
ness in every heart, when The Word fuses, Light is born - a renewed
person is made born again. And the darkness has not overcome
it means, this renewed person cannot sin anymore.
On coming up out of the water He saw the heavens
being torn open and the Spirit like a dove, descending upon
Him. And a voice came from the heavens, You are my
beloved Son; with you I am well pleased(Mk. 1:10-11).
At the time of His baptism, Jesus was anointed as The Spirit and
The Word fused together to act. Exactly as that happened in the first
act of creation, the hovering Spirit that is the Spirit of God came down
like a dove, and united with The Word You are my beloved Son; with
you I am well pleased. This is the same as the Word -Let there be
light. The Spirit and The Word fuse together to give rebirth. Jesus,
though in the image of man, is reborn filled in true spirit as the Son of
the ever-living God.
In the first book ... I dealt with all that Jesus did and
taught until the day He was taken up after giving in-
structions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom
Jesus had chosen (Acts. 1:1-2).
22
It is Luke, the author of the third Gospel, who is considered to
have written The Acts of the Apostles. Now, it is specifically noted
that Jesus was giving instructions to His disciples through the Holy
Spirit. Here again we see the united action of The Spirit and The
Word.
As in the very first voice- Let there be light, and as in the voice
during Jesus baptism - Let there be light, there came a big voice
during the Pentecost. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise
like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they
4). Here again we see, as in the baptism of Christ, The Spirit and The
Word fuse together to become a new force that makes the disciples
to be born again in the strength of Jesus. They become unlike their
old selves, and from that day become transformed into new person-
alities. The Spirit reminds them of all The Word they had received
from Jesus and keeps The Word in its fullness in their hearts. ...
from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks (Mtt. 12:34). Those
who accepted His message were baptized, and about three thousand
persons were added that day (Acts. 2:41). They too were born
again when The Spirit and The Word fused together in them. It was
thus that the first Christian community was born. And they had con-
tinually remained in the spiritual experience by devoting themselves
to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.
The occasion of Philips ministry to the eunuch is of similar na-
ture. Philip proclaimed Jesus Gospel to him. The eunuch said,
What is to prevent my being baptized? And he
baptized him (Acts. 8:35-38).
Again we see it is the action of The Spirit and The Word that caused
Sauls repentance and his rebirth.
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a
light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to
ground and heard a voice saying to him .. (Acts. 9:3-4).
That voice and The Spirit united, and the resultant Spiritual force
acted powerfully to transform the stony heart into a natural one. Saul
23
is changed into a new creation. So Ananias went and entered the
house; laying his hands on him, he said, Saul my brother, the Lord
has sent me, Jesus who appeared on the way which you came, that
you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Imme-
diately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight.
He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered
his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,
and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that He is
the Son of God (Acts. 9:17-20). Here, the Word of Jesus through
Ananias, and the Spirit work in unison and Saul is born again.
The same happened when Peter was speaking at the house of
Cornelius. While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit
fell upon all who were listening to the Word (Acts. 10:44). Then Pe-
ter responded, Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these
people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have? (Acts.
10:47). Cornelius and those gathered at his house became new crea-
tions. In Christ they were born again.
Now, let us have a glance at the Old Testament.
This is the covenant with them which I myself have made,
says the Lord:
My Spirit which is upon you and My words that I
have put into your mouth shall never leave your mouth,
nor the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your
childrens children from now on and forever, says the
Lord (Is. 59:21).
But this is the covenant which I will make with the
house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will
place My law within them, and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God and they shall be My people (Jer.
31:33).
I will put My Spirit within you and make you live by My
statutes, careful to observe My decrees (Ez. 36:27).
24
In all the above three prophesies of God, The Spirit and The
Word (decree, law) is placed within human hearts according to His
covenant. This is a vital factor in Gods plan of salvation. Hence, this
is an inheritance of every human being. And in everyone, when this
new grace of Word and Spirit fills, they are reborn to become partici-
pants in the divine nature. They are given the status where it is not
possible for them to sin. This plan God is announced - and very em-
phatically too, in many other verses of the Gospel.
To be born again in The Word, in the rich soil of the heart, The
Word has to be sowed in abundance. To make the soil rich, the
heart has to be cleansed by the power of the Spirit. When The Spirit
and The Word work in unison and produce good fruits through gen-
erations, then we, all of us, shall become children of God.
Let us look at the writings in the books of Deuteronomy and
Joshua.
Keep this book of the law on your lips. Recite it by day
and by night, that you may observe carefully all that is
written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal. I
command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear not be
dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever
you go (Josh. 1:8-9).
For this is no trivial matter for you; rather it means your very
life ... (Deut. 32:47). These are the last words of David: ... The
Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His Word was on my tongue
(2Sam.23:2). Jesus said to the Samaritan woman God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and Truth (Jn.4:24).
Your Word is truth (Jn. 17:17).
Dear friends, in our hearts let us worship God in Spirit and Truth,
so that all are reborn in Holy Spirit and Fire.
PRAISED BE THE LORD.
25
Suffering - continued from the previous volume
Where I am,
there also will my
servant be (Jn 12:26)
My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me
(Mk 15:34)
I felt this cry resounding in my heart, as I was standing in the court-
yard of that convent at Jabuva in Madhya Pradesh. This cry of Jesus
from Calvary! The death cry of many martyrs over generations! This
cry today has become the mournful cries of helplessness and pain of
dishonour, of those four sisters who were gang-raped here. I knelt
down and kissed the earth and prayed. My heart was filled with emo-
tions.
As the Father had given up His Son into the hands of sinners, so the
bridegroom is giving up his bride into the hands of sinners, for the
liberation of mankind. And the incident cutting across the barriers of
caste, colour or creed shook humanitys conscience. Their suffering
was more intense than that of Jesus Himself. He who hung naked on
the cross for three agonizing hours. For, they were stripped naked
and each gang raped by seven men in succession for nearly three
hours, and thus depriving them of their most precious treasure, their
consecrated chastity. Was not the Word I am crucified with Christ
fulfilled here?
St. Agnes told the prince who came to despoil her chastity: You
will touch my body only after you have soaked your sword in my,
26
blood. I have offered my chastity to my Lord. No one can defile it. It
would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my hon-
our (boast) void(1 Cor 9:15). So when ones honour is lost, is it not
more painful than death itself?
Bharath! Our Motherland! The home of traditionalism! The by-
word for feminine purity and chastity! The red Tilak on your forehead
is now smudged. Your bangles broken. The anguished cry that arose
from the throats of these desolate virgins is the trumpet call from our
Motherland. The trumpet calls to overcome the evil kingdom and to
usher in the kingdom of God. Blood red flowers now adorn Bharaths
breast. They symbolize the witness of blood and the witness of eternal
life. Yes you dear sisters; you are martyrs and witnesses. Though you
are dead, you are alive. You are the honour of your people and we are
proud of you. We thank and praise God for you.
For the last one month, our team has been conducting retreats
for religious, sisters and lay people in the mission fields of Madhya
Pradesh - especially in Indore and neighbourhood. Today we con-
clude this with the public convention at Jabuva. Thus by coming here,
we had the opportunity to visit the place where the sisters were dis-
honoured. I am writing this now from Jabuva.
The police have already arrested eighteen out of the twenty-five
culprits. The rest too will be apprehended soon. Jabuva is one of the
places where the maximum numbers of crimes, murders and rapes
take place in this country. The force behind such activities here were
behind this ignoble act also. By this incident all of them were caught.
And peace reigns here now!. As in all mission stations, here too such
incidents are frequent. It is the villagers who are constantly harassed
by this force. Some time back here, these same men raped a Chris-
tian woman and her thirteen years old daughter. Though this was
reported to the authorities, no action was taken. Most women do not
reveal such things, fearing rejection by the society. This is a place
where, come sunset, one can travel only with police protection in
27
convoy of vehicles. Such is the anarchy that reigns here, that all crimi-
nal cases are often swept under the carpet. This incident would also
have been dealt with similarly. Due to Divine providence, this incident
sparked-off worldwide furore within 24 hours of its happening. These
nuns had offered to live in this lonely place to serve the Lord. We
have to commend their missionary zeal. Two of them are not yet
twenty-five years of age and are new to the mission. The news of
this incident when it first broke had instilled fear throughout the North
Indian missions where the Word of God was being proclaimed. But
now that has changed. Through this incident, the collective attitude
has now taken a turn. For, with this incident the whole world had
stood as one, in praising the values of the Kingdom. Rallies and public
meetings and prayer-days were organized to reject the values of the
worldly Kingdom. In fact, by the strong protests expressed through
the media, a profound preaching of the Word of God has taken place.
All the slogans and shouting against the Gospel proclamation is si-
lenced for the time being.
Suffering - a Gift of God
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it bears
much fruit. Whoever serves me must follow me, and
where I am, there also will my servant be (Jn 12: 24-26).
Where I am, there will my servant be also. All those who
have received the call for the proclamation of the Gospel
gird your loins. All who want to live a godly life in Christ
will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12).
The Son of man came, not to be served, but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).
If any one wishes to be my follower, let him deny him-
self, take up his cross daily and follow me. But those who
want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their
life for my sake will save it (Lk 9:23-24)
28
In the world history, the pages written in letters of gold are
stories of the martyrs who died for the Gospel. Though they are no
more, they are still alive. Wherever the Word of God has been
preached, bloodshed, persecution and sufferings have ever been a
part of it. The Acts of the Apostles makes this known to us very
clearly. The acts of the apostles is not complete. They continue even
today. The sufferings of the apostles for the Kingdom of heaven must
awaken our faith. They proclaimed The Word even in the midst of
terrible sufferings.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what
we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
When they had called in the apostles, they had them
flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name
of Jesus and let them go. As they left the Council, they
rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer
dishonor for the sake of the name (Acts 5: 40-41).
Stephens was stoned to death (Acts 7:58). James, the brother of John,
was killed with the Sword (Acts 12:2).
Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the
crowds. They then stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead. But when his disciples surrounded
him, he got up and went into the city...... He strengthened the
disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying
it is through many persecutions that we must enter the King-
dom of God(Acts 14: 19-22)
The church in India is growing through such great sufferings as
in these mission stations. We have to move forward in expectation of
greater sufferings. We must not become disheartened. We must be
strengthened through suffering, remaining firm in faith. This is a sign
that the Kingdom of heaven is about to spread forcefully. Interpret
the signs of the times. When you see a cloud rising in the west, you
immediately say: It is going to rain. So it happens (Lk 12:54)
29

Just Suffering & Unjust Suffering
Let us take a look at the three crosses on Calvary. The two
criminals on either side of Jesus are suffering due to the punishment
of their crimes. We can call it just suffering. Jesus though sinless,
had to bear the greatest cross. This is unjust suffering.
Just Suffering
It is the punishment a man has to undergo as a consequence of
his own actions. The criminal on His left did not accept it. He re-
jected the suffering. One of the criminals who was hanged there
kept deriding him saying: Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself
and us (Lk 23:39). And he was not saved because he didnt accept
the just suffering. The other rebuked him saying, Do you not fear
God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? We
indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we de-
serve for our deeds (Lk 23:41). This criminal was saved because he
accepted the just suffering.
Unjust Suffering
But what Jesus had accepted was unjust suffering. When He
accepted suffering that came to him though no fault of His, the whole
world was saved. It is called redemptive suffering. We are also called
to suffer. Acceptance of such suffering is the greatest intercessory
prayer. It has to be accepted and suffered joyfully.
We suffer with him so that we may be glorified
with him. I consider that the suffering of this present
times are not worth comparing with this glory about to
be revealed to us (Rom 8:17-18).
Many unjust sufferings come to us in our lives. When we offer
to the cross of Jesus, the insults and sufferings those which come to
30
us without any fault on our part, they become great blessings. We
become glorified. Take up my cross daily; follow me.
I have suffered much in my life. During a period of great suffer-
ing the Lord comforted me in a vision. My son; without Good Friday,
there can be no Easter Sunday. Only through suffering we can taste
the glory of Easter. Eventually, I started requesting for sufferings.
We shall be glorified as much as we suffer. Only when a Christian
accepts the difficulties and sufferings including the unjust sufferings
in his life, does he participate in the life of Christ. Otherwise he re-
mains a names-sake Christian. He does not obtain the Christ-experi-
ence. In this age of growing consumerism, as people set their goals in
the enjoyment of comforts and conveniences of modern life, they are
losing out the abundant graces God showers down through suffering.
One who reaches a life of luxury can neither experience nor proclaim
Jesus Christ who was born in a manger.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are
blessed, because the spirit of glory which is the Spirit of
God is resting on you(1 Pet 4:14).
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the right-
eousness, sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute
you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my
account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in
heaven (Mt 5:10-12).
Their numbers are growing; those who work under unfavour-
able circumstances in northern India by sacrificing their lives for the
sake of the Gospel. Only through martyrdom the Gospel has spread.
And only through it the Gospel will spread.
The history and tradition of our faith have had only stories of
martyrdom to speak about. Our faith was born in blood. It also grew
in blood. Ours is a church, a faith, born in the blood of Jesus Christ.
The blood shed by many martyrs strengthened this faith. The church
31

has thirsted for blood in every age. The last words of our Lord, Do
this in memory of me have been resounding through generation after
generation.
It is time for us to shed our blood for the salvation of the hundred
and odd crores of people in India. The Lord is giving the gift of mar-
tyrdom to the missionaries of the north. In Assam, a priest was shot
dead in broad day light. While he was conducting the school Assem-
bly. Several other priests and religions had to give up their lives in
Assam and Nagaland. In 1992, two sisters, Priya and Silvia were
killed in Bombay. In Gaziabad five sisters were beaten up, considered
as dead and abandoned. But they survived and after prolong treat-
ment in hospital got back their lives. Two sisters were raped in Gajarol.
This happens in several places. But nobody comes to know of this,
nobody is told of this. And they suffer silently. Sr. Augustines head
was chopped off in Bihar. In Hazaribag, Fr. A.T.Thomas was axed to
death. In Indore, Sr. Rani Maria was stabbed forty times - her tongue
was cut off and her eyes were gorged out. In Dhumka, Fr. Christu
Das was stripped naked, beaten up and made to walk fifteen kilome-
tres on the road. Even Jesus was not stripped completely naked like
this priest. Lastly in Jabuva four sisters were gang-raped in the most
dreadful and cruel manner. Other incidents do take place unknown to
us. Several priests too do get attacked.
God gave me the opportunity to work with the missionaries in
North India and to participate in their sufferings. Let us join with St.
Thomas, the father of our Faith.
Let us also go and die with him (Jn 11:16).
(To be continued in the next issue)
32
33
Spiritual Gifts - continued from the previous volume
Spiritual Gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sis-
ters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ................
Strive eagerly for the higher gifts. And I will show you a
still more excellent way (1 Cor 12:1,31)
We must have greater knowledge about spiritual gifts. Only if
we know the meaning of the above exhortation and accept it, will we
get the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is necessary to use the spir-
itual gifts. Besides, we have received these spiritual gifts in advance.
But only when we get a clear understanding about them do we re-
ceive the faith and the power to use them explicitly. And, because
these gifts are very rare and supernatural; they should be used with
spiritual understanding and with due respect and devotion.
I will show you a more excellent way
St. Paul who utilizes the whole of the twelfth chapter to teach about
spiritual gifts writes at the end of the chapter, I will show you a
more excellent way. What is that way? It is not enough to have
great knowledge about spiritual gifts. Not enough to have great de-
sire for excellent gifts. There is a way higher than that. In short these
higher gifts will work in us only if we know and understand that way.
Let us therefore study about that way before we go into the details of
spiritual gifts
Love is the greatest of all
Now Faith, Hope and Love abide; these three: and the greatest
of these is Love (1 Cor 13:13)
33
While teaching and explaining in detail about spiritual gifts, in chapter
twelve and fourteen, chapter thirteen is wholly dedicated to empha-
size that Love is the greatest gift. God is Love, therefore the King-
dom of God is the Kingdom of Love. Although the spiritual gifts are
special charisms to build up the Kingdom of love, they must be used
only after living and experiencing love, which is the basic value of the
Kingdom. That is, only through the experience of the Kingdom of
God will we be enabled to use the other gifts effectively.
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and angels but do not
have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if
I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and
all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove moun-
tains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all
my possessions and if I hand over my body to be burned,
but do not have love, I gain nothing (1 Cor 13;1-3).
In Charismatic renewal, usually we are giving importance to gifts.
The word Charisma means free gift. St. Paul also creates an ar-
dent longing for gifts, saying We must have greater knowledge about
gifts and we must desire for higher gifts, etc. After that he says that
even if we have these spiritual gifts, gift of tongues, prophecy, vision,
working miracles etc, if we have no love, we are noisy gongs and
clanging cymbals. If we have no love, we are nothing, it profits us
nothing. This is not to discourage us or to prevent us from using the
gifts. But to lead us towards growth and anointing in the excellent
way, in the highest way. Our soul must be adorned with the fruits
of the Holy Spirit for the gifts to grow in us. We must long for these
gifts, ask for them, by rooting ourselves in love.
Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will en-
ter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the
will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to
me: Lord, Lord! Did we not prophesy in your name and
cast out demons in your name and do many deeds of power
in your name? There I will declare to them: I never knew
you! Go away from me, you evil doers. Everyone who
34
hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a
wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the
flood came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but
it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock (Mt
7:21-25).
This is written especially for those like us who are engaged in charis-
matic ministries. I always feel that it is written for me. We are the
ones who call out aloud Lord, Lord. We are the ones who prophesy
in the name of Jesus, drive out devils, perform healing and miracle
using spiritual gifts. Only if we conduct our ministry through the higher
and excellent way, rooted in the kingdom of love, will we be fulfilling
the will of the Father. Then we will be like the prudent man who built
his house on the rock. It did not fall though the circumstances
were unfavourable.
The Lord used my team for conducting retreats for seven con-
secutive weeks in the dioceses of Ernakulam, Warrangal, Kurnool,
Chanda and Indore. This was from 6th September to the 23rd October
1998. These retreats were exclusively for priests and sisters. I grate-
fully remember these days when I received great blessings from God.
For this I thank the Lord in a very special way. Those retreats were
very successful. Bishops and Religious superiors took part in them.
Some of the comments that came up during the group discussion
session were these Nobody was criticized or found fault with. The
Word of God seemed to pierce the hearts. The talks evidently ad-
hered to the teachings of the church. They felt as if a brother or a
friend was talking to them. I mention this here, not to exalt myself.
But as a witness to Him and to glorify of God. And also because of
my desire to see everybody grow in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
This I emphasize here again that the easiest way for that is to be
rooted in love. If our ministry is rooted in love, in love do we use our
gifts, then we are in the Kingdom of God. If not, we are in the King-
dom of the world. The kingdom of the world is opposed to Gods
Kingdom and hence is the kingdom of Satan. Because, He who
does not gather with me, scatters(Lk 11:23). That is why Jesus said:
I do not know you.
35
 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what
is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo
one another in showing honour (Rom 9:10).
In all the Epistles, wherever spiritual gifts are mentioned, the
importance of love is emphasized.
If I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have
set you an example that you should do as I have done to
you. Very truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his
master, nor are messengers greater than the one who
sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if
you do them (Jn 13:15-17).
By this every one will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another (Jn 13:35).
The call of the discipleship is received through the anointing of
the Holy Spirit. You must wash one anothers feet. That is; we
must have the humility to receive the corrections others offer and the
love so as to wash their feet and serve them. We are only messen-
gers. We must carry out His will - the one who has sent us - and not
our will. We will be known as the Disciples of Christ, not through our
gifts and graces, but through our mutual love. If do you like this, you
are blessed. All the gifts will grow well in such persons and they
will produce many fruits.
The Anointing of the Spirit and
The Salvific Mystery
I want you to understand that no one can say Jesus is
Lordexcept by the Holy Spirit ( 1 Cor 12:3)
This is a mystery St. Paul reveals before teaching in detail the spir-
itual gifts. Only when a person believes and proclaims that Jesus is
Lord will the action of the Holy Spirit become powerful in him. No
one can make this proclamation except through the power of the
36
Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are activated only in the one
who acknowledges the kingship of Jesus, has deep faith in Jesus as
the only saviour of the world as the Christ and the Messiah, and that
the universal salvation is through Jesus.
Along with this proclamation that Jesus is Lord, he also accepts
that the lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and
health, wisdom and might, honour and glory and blessing (Rev 5:12),
and that Jesus has all the authority in heaven and on earth (Mt
28:18), and that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend in
heaven and on earth and under the earth (Phil 2:10), and that Jesus
is the lord of both the dead and the living (Rom 14:9), and that Jesus
alone is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16) and that Jesus
is the Lord of the Church (Jn 20:28). The gifts of Thus the Spirit of
the Lord will work in him, only when he has the full conviction and
faith that Jesus is Lord.
The Samaritan woman received a special anointing as soon as
she recognized Jesus as Christ and the Messiah. She left her pot
there, went into the town and began proclaiming Jesus the Saviour.
God had chosen that gentile woman even before she was born - as
a Gospel messenger. It was Gods plan and Gods call that was ful-
filled in her. The Spirit anointed her only when she came to know and
proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Similarly God wants each one of us to be
the bearer of the Good News. It becomes an anointing only when we
fully understand the mystery of salvation in the light of the Word of
God. This also is the action of the Holy Spirit. Hence along with a
deep study, we should pray fervently too.
Anointing and Purification
Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do
wonders among you(Jos 3:5)
(To be continued in the next issue)
37

Gather together;
The Riches of the Church
While inaugurating the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, the
Holy Father Pope John the 23rd , being filled by The Holy Spirit an-
nounced the following in bold enthusiasm. Gather together the riches
of the Church. Expound the message of salvation for a more profuse
acceptance by the peoples. And lead forth towards a global family by
striving for the unity of minds in the mankind.
The Historical inaugural address made by the Holy Father - an
abridged version is given here. The fact that this is assimilating into all
facets of our church is manifested by the vast renewals happening in
our era.
Pope Johns Opening Speech
to the Council
On October 11, 1962, the first day of the Council, Pope
John delivered this address in St. Peters Basilica.
Mother Church rejoices that, by the singular gift of Divine Provi-
dence, the longed for day has finally dawned when - under the
auspices of the virgin Mother of God, whose maternal dignity is com-
memorated on this feast the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council is
being solemnly opened here besides St. Peters tomb.
The Origin and reason
for the Second Vatican Council
As regards the initiative for the great event which gathers us
here, it will suffice to repeat as historical documentation our personal
38
account of the first sudden bringing up in our heart and lips of the
simple words, Ecumenical Council. We uttered those words in the
presence of the Sacred College of Cardinals on that memorable Janu-
ary 25, 1959, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, in the basilica
dedicated to him. It was completely unexpected, like a flash of heav-
enly light, shedding sweetness in eyes and hearts. And at the same
time it gave rise to a great fervor throughout the world in expectation
of the holding of the Council.
There have elapsed three years of laborious preparation, during
which a wide and profound examination was made regarding modern
condition of faith and religious practice, and of Christian and espe-
cially Catholic vitality. These years have seemed to us a first sign, an
initial gift of celestial grace.
Illuminated by the light of this Council, the Church - we confi-
dently trust - will become greater in spiritual riches and, gaining the
strength of new energies there from, she will look to the future with-
out fear. In fact, by bringing herself up to date where required, and by
wise organization of mutual cooperation, the Church will make men,
families, and peoples really turn their minds to heavenly things.
And thus the holding of the Council becomes a motive for whole-
hearted thanksgiving to the Giver of every good gift, in order to cel-
ebrate with joyous canticles the glory of Christ our Lord, the glori-
ous and immortal King of ages and of peoples.
In the present order of things, Divine providence is leading us to
a new order of human relations which, by mens own efforts and
even beyond their very expectations, are directed toward the fulfillment
of Gods superior and inscrutable designs. And everything, even hu-
man differences, leads to the greater good of the Church.
It is easy to discern this reality if we consider attentively the
world of today, which is so busy with politics and controversies in the
economic order that it does not find time to attend to the care of
39
spiritual reality, with which the Churchs magisterium is concerned.
Such a way of acting is certainly not right, and must justly be disap-
proved. It cannot be denied, however, that these new conditions of
modern life have at least the advantage of having eliminated those
innumerable obstacles by which, at one time, the sons of this world
impeded the free action of the Church. In fact, it suffices to leaf even
cursorily through the pages of ecclesiastical history to note clearly
how the Ecumenical Councils themselves, while constituting a series
of true glories for the Catholic Church, were often held to the accom-
paniment of most serious difficulties and sufferings because of the
undue interference of civil authorities. The princes of this world, in-
deed, sometimes in all sincerity, intended thus to protect the Church.
But more frequently this occurred not without spiritual damage and
danger, since their interest therein was guided by the views of a self-
ish and perilous policy.
In this regard, we confess to you that we feel most poignant
sorrow over the fact that very many bishops, so dear to us, are no-
ticeable here today by their absence, because they are imprisoned for
their faithfulness to Christ, or impeded by other restraints. The thought
of them impels us to raise most fervent prayer to God. Nevertheless,
we see today, not without great hopes and to our immense consola-
tion, that the Church, finally freed from so many obstacles of a pro-
fane nature such as trammeled her in the past, can from this Vatican
Basilica, as if from a second apostolic cenacle, and through your in-
termediary, raise her voice resonant with majesty and greatness.
Principle duty of the council:
The defense and advancement of truth
The greatest concern of the Ecumenical Council is this: that the
sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught
more efficaciously. That doctrine embraces the whole of man, com-
posed as he is of body and soul. And, since he is a pilgrim on this
earth, it commands him to tend always toward heaven.
40
This demonstrates how our mortal life is to be ordered in such a
way as to fulfill our duties as citizens of earth and of heaven, and thus
to attain the aim of life as established by God. That is, all men, whether
taken singly or as united in society, today have the duty of tending
ceaselessly during their lifetime toward the attainment of heavenly
things and to use, for this purpose only, the earthly goods, the employ-
ment of which must not prejudice their eternal happiness.
The Lord has said: Seek first the kingdom of God and his
justice(Mt. 6:33). The word first expresses the direction in which
our thoughts and energies must move. We must not, however neglect
the other words of this exhortation of our Lord namely: And all
these things shall be given you besides (Ibid.). In reality, there al-
ways have been in the Church, and there are still today, those who,
while seeking the practice of evangelical perfection with all their might,
do not fail to make themselves useful to society. Indeed, it is from
their constant example of life and their charitable undertakings that
all that is highest and noblest in human society takes its strength and
growth.
In order, however, that this doctrine may influence the numer-
ous fields of human activity, with reference to individuals, to families,
and to social life, it is necessary first of all that the Church should
never depart from the sacred patrimony of truth received from the
Fathers. But at the same time she must ever look to the present, to
the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern
world which have opened new avenues to the Catholic apostolate.
For this reason, the Church has not watched inertly the marvelous
progress of the discoveries of human genius, and has not been back-
ward in evaluating them rightly. But, while following these develop-
ments, she does not neglect to admonish men so that, over and above
sense-perceived things- they may raise their eyes to God, the Source
of all wisdom and all beauty. And may they never forget the most
serious command: The Lord thy God shalt thou worship, and Him
only shalt thou serve (Mt. 4:10; Lk. 4:8), so that it may not happen
41
that the fleeting fascination of visible things should impede true
progress.
The manner in which sacred doctrine is spread, this having been
established, it becomes clear how much is expected from the Council
in regard to doctrine. That is, the twenty-first Ecumenical Council,
which will draw upon the effective and important wealth of juridical,
liturgical, apostolic, and administrative experiences, wishes to trans-
mit the doctrine, pure and integral, without any attenuation or distor-
tion, which throughout twenty centuries, notwithstanding difficulties
and contrasts, has become the common patrimony of men. It is a
patrimony not well received by all, but always a rich treasure avail-
able to men of good will.
Our duty is not only to guard this precious treasure, as if we
were concerned only with antiquity, but to dedicate ourselves with an
earnest will and without fear to that work which our era demands of
us, pursuing thus the path which the Church has followed for twenty
centuries.
The salient point of this Council is not, therefore, a discussion of
one article or another of the fundamental doctrine of the Church which
has repeatedly been taught by the Fathers and by ancient and modern
theologians, and which is presumed to be well known and familiar to
all.
For this a Council was not necessary. But from the renewed,
serene, and tranquil adherence to all the teaching of the Church in its
entirety and preciseness, as it still shines forth in the Acts of the
Council of Trent and First Vatican Council, the Christian, Catholic,
and apostolic spirit of the whole world expects a step forward toward
a doctrinal penetration and a formation of consciousness in faithful
and perfect conformity to the authentic doctrine, which, however,
should be suited and expounded through the methods of research and
through the literary forms of modern thought. The substance of the
ancient doctrine of the deposit of faith is one thing, and the way in
42
which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken
into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being
measured in the forms and proportions of a magisterium which is
predominantly pastoral in character.
How to repress errors
At the outset of the Second Vatican Council, it is evident, as
always, that the truth of the Lord will remain forever. We see, in fact,
as one age succeeds another, that the opinions of men follow one
another and exclude each other. And often errors vanish as quickly
as they arise, like fog before the sun.
The Church has always opposed these errors. Frequently she
has condemned them with the greatest severity. Nowadays, how-
ever, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of
mercy rather than that of severity. She considers that she meets the
needs of the present day by demonstrating the validity of her teaching
rather than by condemnations. Not, certainly, that there is a lack of
fallacious teaching opinions, and dangerous concepts to be guarded
against and dissipated. But these are so obviously in contrast with the
right norm of honesty, and have produced such lethal fruits, that by
now it would seem that men of themselves are inclined to condemn
them, particularly those ways of life which despise God and His law
or place excessive confidence in technical progress and a well-being
based exclusively on the comforts of life. They are ever more deeply
convinced of the paramount dignity of the human person and of his
perfections, as well as of the duties which that implies. Even more
important, experience has taught men that violence inflicted on oth-
ers, the might of arms, and political domination, are of no help at all in
finding a happy solution to the grave problems which afflict them.
That being so, the Catholic Church, raising the torch of religious
truth by means of this Ecumenical Council, desires to show herself to
be the loving mother of all, benign, patient, full of mercy and goodness
toward the brethren who are separated from her. To mankind, op-
43
pressed by so many difficulties, the Church says, as Peter said to the
poor who begged alms from him: I have neither gold nor sliver, but
what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise
and walk (Acts 3:6). In other words, the Church does not offer to
the men of today riches that pass, nor does she promise them a merely
earthly happiness. But she distributes to them the goods of divine
grace which, raising men to the dignity of sons of God, are the most
efficacious safeguards and aids toward a more human life. She opens
the fountain of her life-giving doctrine which allows men, enlightened
by the light of Christ, to understand well what they really are, what
their lofty dignity and their purpose are, and, finally, through her chil-
dren, she spreads everywhere the fullness of Christian charity, than
which nothing is more effective in eradicating the seeds of discord,
nothing more efficacious in promoting concord, just peace, and the
brotherly unity of all.
The unity of the Christian
and Human family must be promoted
The Churchs solicitude to promote and defend truth derives
from the fact that, according to the plan of God, who wills all men to
be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim, 2:4), men
without the assistance of the whole of revealed doctrine cannot reach
a complete and firm unity of minds with which are associated true
peace and eternal salvation.
Unfortunately, the entire Christian family has not yet fully at-
tained this visible unity in truth.
The Catholic Church, therefore, considers it her duty to work
actively so that there may be fulfilled the great mystery of that unity,
which Jesus Christ invoked with fervent prayer from His heavenly
Father on the eve of His sacrifice. She rejoices in peace, knowing
well that she is intimately associated with that prayer, and then exults
greatly at seeing that invocation extend its efficacy with salutary fruit,
even among those who are outside her fold.
44
Indeed, if one considers well this same unity which Christ im-
plored for His Church, it seems to shine, as it were, with a triple ray
of beneficent supernal light: namely, the unity of Catholics among
themselves, which must always be kept exemplary and most firm;
the unity of prayers and ardent desires with which those Christians
separated from this Apostolic See aspire to be united with us; and the
unity in esteem and respect for the Catholic Church which animates
those who follow non-Christian religions.
In this regard, it is a source of considerable sorrow to see that
the greater part of the human race - although all men who are born
were redeemed by the blood of Christ - does not yet participate in
those sources of divine grace which exist in the Catholic Church.
Hence the Church, whose light illumines all, whose strength of super-
natural unity redounds to the advantage of all humanity, is rightly de-
scribed in these beautiful words of St. Cyprain:
The Church, surrounded by divine light, spreads her rays over
the entire earth. This light, however, is one and unique, and shines
everywhere without causing any separation in the unity of the body.
She extends her branches over the whole world. By her fruitfulness
she sends ever farther afield her rivulets. Nevertheless, the head is
always one, the origin one, for she is the one mother, abundantly fruit-
ful. We are born of her, are nourished by her milk, we live of her
spirit (De Catholicae Eccles. Unitate,5)
Venerable brothers, such is the aim of the Second Vatican Ecu-
menical Council, which, while bringing together the Churchs best
energies and striving to have men welcome more favorably the good
tidings of salvation, prepares, as it were, and consolidates the path
toward that unity of mankind which is required as a necessary foun-
dation, in order that the earthly city may be brought to the resem-
blance of that heavenly city where truth reigns, charity is the law, and
whose extent is eternity (Cf. St. Augustine, Epistle 138,3).
45

You are the salt of the
earth (Mtt 5:13)
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its
taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer
good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under
foot (Mt 5:13).
A conversation with salt
During a retreat for priests and sisters after a long talk on you
are the salt of the earth, I went and sat down for my breakfast.
The sisters had asked me what I would have and I had requested
them for Kanji( preparation of rise gruel) . So, I started taking Kanji.
I took a teaspoon full of salt to add. And I studied it. Pure white salt!
I felt my gaze returned. And the salt talked to me.
Salt: You are the salt of the earth. You who conduct
the Holiness Retreat must be as pure as I am
The above words rumbled in my heart. I compared the white-
ness of the salt with my heart and found the many impurities within
me. I felt great repentance and tears stated flowing from my eyes.
I said:
Dear salt, I am not pure or holy like you. I am conduct-
ing the renewal retreat only through the mercy of God. I
want to become pure like you. Will you tell me how?
46
Salt: Mix me in Kanji. After a while you will not see me.
I mixed the salt in the Kanji, and it continued talking to
me from within the Kanji.
Salt: Brother, you wont be able to see me again. I have
lost myself for the sake of giving you taste. Unless the
grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it cannot
produce fruit (Jn 12:24). There is no greater love than
to give up ones life for ones friend. (Jn 15:13). Friend,
are you ready to lose yourselves like me? To give up all
that you have? Only then shall you get my holiness, my
purity.
My heart was moved to deeper repentance. Tears began to flow
copiously. The sisters standing near saw me weeping in front of the
plate of Kanji. They did not understand why. And I was then in a
state oblivious of their presence. My defects, one by one, the salt had
begun to point out. My pride, my evil desires, my impure tendencies,
the old self of my former way of life, corrupted through deceitful
desires, which still lay in the deep recesses of my heart and my senses.
I said tearfully, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. I am not worthy to
conduct the Renewal Retreat Then the Holy Spirit, my comforter
and my helper whispered within my heart.
Spirit: My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made
perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). Pray incessantly for
grace. As the grace flows into you, all impurities will be
wiped clean. Besides, by my power you would be trans-
formed from weakness into strength.
The salt started talking to me again.
Salt: Brother, I am ready to dissolve myself anytime. In
Kanji, in pickles, be it sambar, biriyani or payasam, with-
out any discrimination I forgo myself into substances to
47
 render them flavour - even if theirs opposes mine. Would
you be like that?
Again, questions! - That which pierced my heart. I understood
that I have to dissolve myself in any circumstances. To make them all
tasty. To lead them all to salvation. And I should not discriminate. I
have to accept unfavourable circumstances with love. Serve accord-
ing to the taste of the one who consumes. Am I able to do this? Be
hospitable to one another, without complaining. (1 Pet 4:9). Again
the shortcomings of my life led me to greater repentance. The salt
continued talking to me.
Salt: Brother, I dissolve alike into all - of every caste,
creed and religion. Be it Christians, Hindus, Muslims,
Sindhis or Panjabis. Be it people of any nationality. I am
universal. I dont look at faces. I am everything to eve-
rybody. I dissolve alike for the poor, the rich, the learned
and the ignorant. I work equally in the patients at a hos-
pital, the beggars and lepers by the wayside, in criminals
behind bars, in terrorists and the judges.
The conviction about the universality of salvation got impressed
still deeper into my heart. Through the exhortation You are the salt
of the earth, the Lord had asked me to proclaim His Word, His
salvation to all nationalities, to all caste and creed. And to love them
and to lose myself for them. I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth (Is 49:6). O
God! Am I fulfilling this responsibility? Holy Spirit! Help me fulfill this
mission. The salt continued:-
Salt: Brother, You know how long I preserve salted
mango without rotting. The fridge is a modern device. In
the past, I did the preservation of meat and other items.
You are the salt of the earth. Your task is not only to give
flavour, but also to salt and preserve them. So that they
may be saved from destruction.
48
We have been transformed into salt so that all may receive
eternal life, without anyone being lost. You shall love your neighbor
as yourself (Lk 10:27). Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you (Mt 5:44). Lay down ones life for ones friends (Jn
15:13). Holy Spirit, my friend, when shall this become possible for
me? When can I lead others to salvation, without any being lost?
Have mercy on me. Fill me with your grace. I began to pray more
fervently. I felt a greater sense of responsibility. Again salt said:-
Salt: Brother, even though I am doing so many good
deeds, everybody shall reject me if I lose my saltiness.
Then I wont be useful even as manure. People shall
throw me out. They will trample upon me. Now; dear
Thomas Paul, be careful that you dont lose your salti-
ness. Then, however great be your anointing from above,
all the ministries you conduct will come to an abrupt end.
If you lose your saltiness, people shall reject you too.
When I heard this, my initial reaction was that the salt was
threatening me. Shortly, I began to meditate on the condition when
saltiness is lost. The Word of Lord Christ resounded in my heart.
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, with what
can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot (Mt.5:13). I had never thought about the
state of losing saltness. The thoughts of such a predicament disturbed
me. I visualized that condition Here I am up on a stage ready to
proclaim the Word. But no Word comes forth from my mouth. I do
pray; yet not a single person is moved by the Spirit. I am not able to
love anybody. I am being rejected by all. Even those persons, who
were once anointed by the Spirit through my retreats, now turn away
their faces from me The voice of the salt came back: If you lose
your saltness, men shall reject you too. I became vexed. I placed my
hands on my heart and prayed. And then came the comforting voice
of my helper! I was elated.
49
The Spirit: Do not be afraid. I am with you. Every one will
be salted with fire. Salt is good. Have salt in
yourselves(Mk 9:49).
This comforted me very much. Even if the salt loses its saltness,
it can be restored through fire. Jesus himself had said that. I asked
the Spirit: What is this Fire?
The Spirit: The word Fire has many meanings. Primarily,
the fire that is the Holy Spirit. Then the fire that is the
Love of God. Then the fire The Word. Then the fire the
Divine Merciful Lord in Eucharist. The fire of sufferings.
All these, through ones own personal prayers to the
indwelling Trinitarian God, one must obtain. And thus
through prayer, one should become filled with grace.
Salt is Grace.
If we pray unceasingly, the salt will not lose its flavour. What the
Lord desires is to see that, there be salt in all - grace upon grace in
all. Once I reached this conviction, I began to pray with greater zeal
in my personal prayers. This conviction also The Spirit gave me - that
the larger our ministry, the more should our prayers be. Because,
then more salt - grace, is needed. At times it is with tears that I pray
for grace. O Lord! With thy fire increase the flavour of my salt.
Many thanks to salt; and Praise to God.
50
Healing
Surely he has borne our infirmities and endured our
sufferings..... By his bruises we are healed (Is 53:4-5).
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to
bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives and release to the prisoners (Is 61: 1).
Jesus Christ heals us from all our sickness. He gives complete
healing to the spirit and mind. Jesus said:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I
came that they may have life and have it abundantly
(Jn 10:10).
To have life abundantly means to have fullness of life. That is to
say - Jesus Christ gives us complete liberation. He liberates us from
all sickness of spirit, mind and body and leads us to fullness of life.
The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. Who is the thief?
The thief is the infernal powers working within us. The thief destroys
our health. He destroys our minds peace, destroys our soul by lead-
ing us through sinful ways. But I have come that they may have life
and have it abundantly. The Lord Jesus comes and lives in us as
Spirit to infuse into us His divine life. First He heals our soul and
saves it from destruction. Then he fills our mind and its inner depths
with peace and heals them. He heals our bodies completely. Thus he
leads us to the fullness - the abundance - of life.
There are two Kingdoms. The Kingdom of God and the king-
dom of satan. Our Lord Jesus has come to destroy the kingdom of
51
satan, which is the kingdom of the world, and establish the Kingdom
of God. Jesus said: Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice.
Everything else will be added to it (Mt:33). If one establishes the
Kingdom of God in ones heart and spirit, which is to let Lord Jesus
reign as ones king and saviour, then darkness disappears from him.
And light comes in. He who is not with me is against me (Lk 11:23).
If we are not with Jesus, we are not in his Kingdom. It means that we
are in the opposite camp - in satans kingdom. Then satan reigns on
us. Jesus has come to destroy his works. When we believe in Jesus,
satans works are destroyed. Jesus takes over the Kingdom of our
heart. The healing of soul, mind and body takes place.
Four men carried a paralytic to Jesus. The crowd was such that
they could not near Jesus. They opened the roof of the house and
lowered him on his cot.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic: Son,
your sins are forgiven (Mk 2:5).
Here we can see the depth of Jesus love. Also, Jesus wants
to give total liberation. First Jesus heals his soul. He liberates the soul,
which was dead through sin and thus bound into satans servitude.
With that, divine life once again begins to shine in him. It spreads to
his mind. It spreads to his body. He is healed. The Word I have come
to give life and give it fully, in its plentitude is fulfilled here. Jesus
did not pray for the physical healing of the paralytic. Instead, Jesus
said:-
... that you may know that the Son of Man has author-
ity to forgive sins on earth- he said to the paralytic,
I say to you, rise, pick up your mat and go home
(Mk 2:10-11).
On this, the paralytic who was on the cot begins to stir. His eyes
open. His muscles straighten. He stretches his hands and legs. Be-
hold! The paralytic is getting up. As the people gape in awe, he takes
up his cot and goes off. Praise be to God. Likewise, if we first repent
our sins, and receive the forgiveness Jesus freely bestows, and thus
52
when we have established His Kingdom in our hearts, everything
else will be added to it.
Once during an inner holiness retreat, a person who was suf-
fering from AIDS came to me in tears. He told me that he had real-
ized the cause of his ailment. And that he was able to repent upon the
past sinful life and make a good confession. He told me Now I have
found great peace. I have full faith that Jesus alone can heal me. The
day I arrived, I was crestfallen. But now I feel so great a relief. I
move about with lot of vigor. The blissful joy on his face as he said
this is beyond words. I believe that I will be healed. I will be healed!.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice.
Everything else will be added to it (Mt 6: 33).
Seek and find The Triune God dwelling within our hearts. Then
everything else will be added to it. Only then shall occur the com-
plete cure from all ailments. For this, a person should experience the
fellowship of the Triune God. It is not sufficient in believing that Jesus
is the only Saviour. The faith must be that He is the Saviour of the
world. That Jesus is the Messiah The Christ The Lord and Sav-
iour of the world. Healing is a sign given the world to know this truth.
Hence the person who believes this experience salvation. And expe-
riences The Kingdom of God. That experience pours out the divine
power into the soul, mind and body of the person. He enters into a
state of completeness. He is healed. Such individuals cannot keep
their experiences hidden. They proclaim it aloud everywhere. Thus
spreads The Kingdom of God.
53

Family - continued from the previous volume
THE WORD IN FAMILY LIFE
These words that I command you this day shall be upon
your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your
children and shall talk about them when you sit in your
house and when you walk by the way and, when you lie
down and when you rise you shall bind them as a sign
upon your hand, fix them as frontlets between your eyes,
and you shall write them on the door posts of your house
and on your gates(Deut 6:6-9)
Only if our family is rooted in The Word of God, the Kingdom
can be experienced in the family. That is what the Lord proclaims in
the book of Deuteronomy, in the prophecies of Isaiah and in several
other decrees. The Word must be written in the hearts of everyone
in the family. This is a great conviction God gives to us parents. Teach
this diligently to your children. Talk about it always. The Word must
be written on the door posts and the gates of your house. Many of us
on hearing this become vexed about the practicability of all these in
this age. Yet, by using all the modern resources, The Word can be
made to permeate into our homes. Todays voice recorders and mu-
sic players makes it possible for us to listen to The Word when we
are at home, when we lie down and when we rise through cassettes
and such. When the Word resounds at home, through the audio-senses
it will get sown in the pure hearts of children. By displaying The Word
on the walls of our homes, we and our children get to see it always,
and thus through our visual-senses cause it to be written in our hearts.
The final advice of Moses in the book of Deuteronomy is noteworthy.
54
Take to heart all the warning which I have now given
you and which you must impress on your children, that
you may carryout carefully every word of this law. For
this is no trivial matter for you; rather, it means your
very life (Deut 32:46-47).
For it is no trivial matter for you. It is your very life. But if
we have to teach this to our children, it must be first embedded in our
hearts. If The Word is rooted in our hearts, through our conversa-
tions, as the parents, it will enter the hearts of our children and lead
them along the right path. Eventually, The Word itself will guide them
in godliness better than we could. It wont be necessary for us to
follow them wielding the punishing rod. The Word of God will be-
come a lamp for their feet and a light for their path (Psalm 119:105).
These will be written in our hearts only when our children and we
recite the Word of God in our families, and through the video, radio,
and tape recorder see and listen to programs and songs that are rich
in The Word of God.
This is my covenant with them. My Spirit which is upon
you, and my Words which I have put in your mouth, shall
not depart out of your mouth or out of the mouth of your
children, or out of the mouth of your childrens children
says the Lord from this time forth and evermore
(Is 59:21).
The Lord is declaring this emphatically and forcefully. It is The
Word of God that shall exalt our family through generations. What-
ever else we may teach our children, all those shall pass away. But
the Word and the Spirit becomes our family heirloom down genera-
tion after generation. If we give this treasure to our children as their
inheritance, salvation and the Kingdom of God shall come to our fam-
ily for sure.
(To be continued in the next issue)
55