My Maramon
I happened to be in Mallapally (A place in kerala near to the well known place -Maramon - in Pathanamthitta District.) this February (2018) with a specific purpose of attending to the scheduled operation of my mother in law. But unfortunately we could not do that due to some health issues. Then my wife came up with an idea of attending Maramon Convention which was in progress at that time. Maramon Convention is one of the major conventions held by Marthoma Churches once in a year covering sermons from world renowned speakers along with prayers, newly composed songs etc. for a week. Lakhs of people from every walks of life and from every corner of the country attend this convention. I too attended this convention two or three times in my earlier days. But now my conventions have become different.
Rev. Jolly Thomas
I happened to be in Mallapally (A place in kerala near to the well known place -Maramon - in Pathanamthitta District.) this February (2018) with a specific purpose of attending to the scheduled operation of my mother in law. But unfortunately we could not do that due to some health issues. Then my wife came up with an idea of attending Maramon Convention which was in progress at that time. Maramon Convention is one of the major conventions held by Marthoma Churches once in a year covering sermons from world renowned speakers along with prayers, newly composed songs etc. for a week. Lakhs of people from every walks of life and from every corner of the country attend this convention. I too attended this convention two or three times in my earlier days. But now my conventions have become different.
It all started with the first sunday service of Rev. Jolly Thomas after his posting to coimbatore. First service itself made a big difference in the way the message was delivered. I still remember ( somewhere 2000) the title of the subject for that day - Just two words ” My Lord and My GoD....”. In fact after that Sermon, like doubting Thomas, I too shouted in my heart “ My Lord and My GoD” and I still shout these words when I see...which was not visible to my eyes earlier.
Contextual : He made me to stop sleeping in church during sermons. For first time in my life I started longing to hear the sermons earnestly. His speeches were short, exacting to the time allotted and loaded with deeper contextual meaning. He never said a joke, though most of the conventions revolve around speeches interlaced in humor. May be, I presume he as a priest also would have attempted his speeches in this style, but was wiser enough to understand that, it was not his cup of tea.
His voice modulations were excellent as well as his command over Malayalam and English language. In fact many times, I thought, had he spoken in English, it would have been definitly helpful to the new generation including my children. Today they starve for good bibilical contextual speeches in english on contempory themes. His description of Jesus as a common simple person (lungi cladded person cycling from one place to other )and picturizing him as one of the intimate friends of us has changed the picture of Jesus in my mind.
Transformation & Humility :
His central theme of all his speeches were generally revolved around one issue – “Transformation” and “Humility “. If you are not transformed, it has no meaning to Christian life. Transformation is not once, it is continuous process of growth and in that process you are born again and again every time you are transformed as a new person. His speeches were different from others for the reason that the spirt in him enabled to interpret the word of God contextually to the present generation. I thank GoD for giving the opportunity to meet him in my journey of life. I shared a personal relation with him as a good friend and I admired some of his excellent personal qualities such as the excellent listerning, calmness, one to one communication, correct usage of words etc.
I was able to hear him directly Till he was transferred to Mughathala (Kollam), but then through some good people I am still able to hear his speeches through whatsapp. I once told my friend Jacob in Bombay to collect all his speeches and make an album and he did it. He is doing an excellent service by spreading the good messages and I thank him also for his great service.
I pray to God for more wisdom and health to Achen and his family and all of us to understand more and more the real truth.
JollyAchen can contacted at rev.jollythomas@gmail.com and for whatsapp messgaes of speeches please give a message to Mr. Jacob at 097020 03322.