Srambican

  Recently, a friend of mine asked if she could be a Christian and a communist since its repelling forces. It is a valid question and one which strikes at the intersection of faith and ideology, of gospel and governance. At first glance, the concepts seem diametrically opposed. Christianity emphasises spiritual salvation, personal morality, and the authority of divine revelation, while communism, particularly in its Marxist-Leninist forms, is historically associated with materialism, atheism, and a revolutionary critique of religion. However, the answer to this question is neither simple nor binary. Christianity, particularly in its early expressions, bears a surprising resemblance to what some would identify as communistic practice. The Book of Acts recounts that the early Christian community in Jerusalem “had all things in common; they sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44–45). This radical sharing of wealth was not imposed by the state, but cho...

The recently released L2: Empuraan is nothing short of a cinematic triumph, a testament to the evolving brilliance of Malayalam cinema. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s direction is a masterstroke, elevating the industry to new heights with a vision that’s both bold and meticulous. Equally deserving of praise is Murali Gopy, whose script and dialogues weave a tapestry of words so powerful they linger long after the credits roll. This film is a shining example of storytelling done right—gripping, thought-provoking, and unapologetic. But beyond its artistic merits, L2 has sparked a predictable yet absurd political storm. Right-wing leaders have been quick to cry foul, clutching their pearls at the film’s depiction of historical events—specifically, the 2002 Gujarat riots. Their outrage is not just comical; it’s dripping with irony. These are the same voices that cheered for The Kerala Story , a film so steeped in propaganda that it could barely masquerade as fiction. They handed out free ticket...

I didn’t initially plan to write something like this, but there’s been a lot of buzz lately about Suffragan Metropolitan Joseph Mar Barnabas receiving communion from the Patriarch. While many of the comments I’ve seen are derogatory and fail to reflect either Christian kindness or basic human respect, the issue seems to stem from a lack of understanding about the Mar Thoma Church’s ecumenical theology and teachings on the Holy Qurbana. I want to shed some light on that based on what I’ve come to learn. 𝑬𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒄𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 Central to Mar Thoma ecclesiology is the Pauline imagery of the "Body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27), a theological construct that emphasizes unity within diversity and transcends denominational boundaries. A defining mission of the Church is "to unite all things in Jesus Christ," a commitment that explicitly eschews exclusivist frameworks, such as papal or patriarchal supremacy. This idea of enclave theology was seen wi...

Aesthetic Perception of Song of Songs: Reflections of Rasa Theory by Asher Mathews  achen offers a fresh and creative take on the Song of Songs by interpreting it through the lens of Indian Rasa Theory. This unique pioneering approach blends biblical literature with Indian aesthetic principles, making the book stand out in the field of theological studies. I had been looking forward to reading this book since the day I saw its release in social media, and a good friend of mine made sure I got my hands on it. From the moment I saw the cover, I was impressed. It is so creative, unique, and eye-catching that it instantly grabs attention, an apt reflection of the fresh and innovative ideas within the book. The Song of Songs is a familiar yet often overlooked book of the Bible. Though many across religious lines may recognize its beautiful love poetry, it is rarely explored in everyday sermons or many times even in theological discussions. In my experience, I can only recall one instanc...

Today, I was sitting in the adoration chapel when a mother and her little kid walked in. The child couldn’t have been more than four years old. As soon as the mother knelt to pray, he copied her, got down on his knees and everything. After a while, when she sat on the small chair, he sat right next to her on the floor. In between, I saw him peeking at his mom, checking if her eyes were open. And when she picked up the Bible to read, he grabbed a prayer book and flipped through the pages, just like her. Before leaving, the mother walked up to the adoration glass and gently touched it, and this little one followed. But before stepping out, he kissed the glass where the Eucharist was kept and softly said, "Yeshupappa, I love you... potte, bye." I had tears in my eyes. Here we are, struggling in faith every day, while this child believed without even knowing anything. Sherikum, maybe this is why Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." That mother is the real h...

അപ്പച്ചൻ ദിവ്യസന്നിധിയിൽ ചേർന്നിട്ട് ഇന്ന് മൂന്നു വർഷം തികയുന്നു. Rev. S.V. Cherian ആരായിരുന്നു എന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് ആലോചിച്ചാൽ, ഒറ്റ വാക്കിൽ പറയാം—ഒരു നല്ല ഇടയൻ. അപ്പച്ചൻക്ക് ഏല്പിക്കപ്പെട്ട ഏറ്റവും പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടത് ആട്ടിൻകുടമായിരുന്നു. അവരെ ദൈവസന്നിധിയിലേക്കു് നയിക്കുക എന്നതായിരുന്നു അവിടുത്തെ ജീവിതലക്ഷ്യം. അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെയാണ് അനേകരെ പൗരോഹിത്യം എന്ന മഹത്തായ പദവിയിലേക്കു് അയച്ചത്. ആടുകളുടെ ഗന്ധമുള്ള ഇടയൻ ഒരു നല്ല ഇടയൻ തന്റെ ആടുകളിൽ നിന്ന് അകന്ന് നിൽക്കാറില്ല; പകരം, അവയുടെ ഇടയിൽ തന്നെ ജീവിക്കുകയും അവയുടെ ദുഃഖസുഖങ്ങൾ പങ്കുവയ്ക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. അപ്പച്ചൻ തന്റെ ജീവിതം ശുശ്രൂഷകനായി ജീവിച്ചു. വിശ്വാസികളുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലേക്ക് അടുത്ത് ചെല്ലി, സ്നേഹത്തോടെയും കരുതലോടെയും അവരെ മുന്നോട്ട് നയിച്ചു. ഓരോ വ്യക്തിയും തന്റെ കുടുംബാഗം എന്നപോലെയാണ് അപ്പച്ചൻ കരുതിയത്. ആടുകളെ സ്നേഹിച്ച ഇടയൻ അപ്പച്ചൻ, ഒരു നല്ല ഇടയനെപ്പോലെ തന്റെ ആടുകളെ സ്നേഹിക്കുകയും അവർക്കു വേണ്ടിയുള്ള ഉത്തരവാദിത്വം ഏറ്റെടുക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു. ഓരോ പള്ളിയിലെ വിശ്വാസികളെ ഒരു ആത്മീയ കുടുംബമായി കരുതിയിരുന്നു. ഓരോ ദിവസവും അവർക്കായി മുട്ടിന്മേൽ കണിഒഴുകി, അ...

  In the festive spree of the nativity of our Lord, let us pause and marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation. Christmas is not merely a festive event but a profound reminder of the union of the divine and the human. This is a mystery that transcends human understanding: the infinite Creator willingly entering finite creation, the eternal Word becoming flesh. The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God's love and humility. St. Ephrem the Syrian poetically reminds us that “He became small so that we might become great; He put on the body of an infant so that we might be clothed in divinity.” The Nativity reveals the kenosis, the self-emptying love of Christ, who descended from heavenly glory to dwell among us, so that humanity might ascend to participate in the divine life. We view Christ's birth not just as a historical event but as an ongoing reality. The light that shone in Bethlehem continues to shine within us, calling us to a life of transformation. Each of us is inv...

  In the season of Christ-mas, Christ seems to have gone on a holiday! This thought struck me while looking through Christmas cards shared in social media. Our cards are filled with family portraits and snowmen, but the manger is missing, and the Savior is nowhere to be found. Maybe we should check under the Christmas tree—He might be hiding behind the gift wrap! Srambican

"I am in a long-distance relationship forever." Yesterday, I watched the movie Amaran, and it was absolutely amazing. I’m someone who rarely gets emotional over movies, yet I found myself teared up. The first time I heard Major Mukund’s story was when Indhu chechi came to Melbourne with Tinu Achachan, and back then, it was just another military story to me. But watching the movie today, the narrative struck me on a whole new level—the pain, the agony, the sacrifices. It all felt so raw and real. The respect I have for Indhu chechi has skyrocketed. I still remember every time I met her, she carried that signature smile of hers, unfaltering despite everything. Still cherishing the fond memories with Tinu Achachan, Indhu Chechi, and Arsheya. Back to the movie, I’ve never been particularly drawn to the idea of nationalism or overt patriotic fervor. Those who know me are well aware of that. But this movie managed to evoke a nationalistic ardour, a respect that transcends political...