CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE FOR KERALA MALAYALEE CHRISTIANS FROM INDIA AROUND THE WORLD
DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE - ENGLISH

IDENTIFICATION
By H. G. MATHEWS MAR BARNABAS METROPOLITAN
[Diocesian Metropolitan of American Diocese - Malankara Orthodox Church]

Identifying oneself with people and loving them is the most important thing in our spiritual life. Identification means putting oneself in the place of others and seeing their desires and problems as one's own. Then we can love people whole-heartedly, loving them as we love ourselves.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we find how the Samaritan finding the injured man on the road, helped him to the utmost. The Samaritan might have put himself in the place of the injured man and understood his feelings. That must be the reason why the Samaritan helped him risking the attack of the thieves.

Some years ago the writer of this article heard what happened in a house in America. The master of the house hired a worker to do some repair work in the house. But it so happened that the worker came only by mid-night; hence the master of the house did not allow him to work. The worker pleaded for mercy, but of no use. When the worker went home, he met a policeman on duty. The policeman offered to plead for him. Thus, the two went to the house. Still the master of the house did not agree. So the two went out in sorrow. The six-year-old son of the master of the house, who was watching this came and asked, "Daddy how you would have felt if you were in his place?" Realizing the guilt, the master of the house went straightaway to the worker's house and offered apology. He told his son what he had done. The boy had the spirit of identification. What we need is the same.

Because our Lord identified Himself with the sinners, He became man and offered Himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. He prayed to the heavenly Father for those who crucified Him, saying "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do" [St. John 23:34]. Poet Chenganpuzha speaks of the intimate love between two friends who identified with each other saying, "Though we are two bodies, we are one in the spirit."

It is when we see others as strangers that we become jealous of them in their exaltation. On the other hand, when we identify ourselves with people we can rejoice in their success. St. Paul says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" [Romans 12:15] When we identify ourselves with sinners, we can forgive them and give competition and rivalry among religions, the different groups in religions, and political parties. Then there will not be crimes and divorces in families.

When we have the spirit of identification, we will have more consideration for the well-being of animals and plants also. A poet after killing a fly wrote as follows:

"Little fly, thy summer's play,
My thoughtless hand has brushed away.
Am not I a fly like you
Or art not thou, a man like me.
For I dance and drink and sing,
Till some dark hand brush my wing."

Heaven is what we make through identification and love with the grace of God.

(If you liked the Article please share it with your friends, subscribe for Updates or Send your Feedback clicking buttons at bottom]

MORE ARTICLES OF THE SAME AUTHOR



A KIND NOTE TO BLESSED READERS
Now most of the Articles are converted to read on your Mobile Phone, rest are in process. If you would like to read Light of Life Articles frequently please add an ICON on your Home Screen as per the steps given below. (Please do it only once to avoid multiple icons on your home screen)

FOR ANDROID
  1. Open Chrome Browser
  2. Write URL LightofLife.com on URL Bar
  3. Tap Browser's menu icon (three dots or the hamburger menu three line on right-top).
  4. Select "Add to Home Screen" or Add Page To -> Home Screen"
  5. Name the Shortcut as "Light of Life" or "LOL"
  6. Tap "Add to place the Icon on your Home Screen.
FOR IOS (IPHONE)
  1. Open Safari (or your preferred browser).
  2. Write URL LightofLife.com on URL Bar.
  3. Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up).
  4. Scroll down and select "Add to Home Screen"
  5. Give the link a name for your Home scrren Icon "Light of Life" or "LOL"
  6. Tap "Add" in the upper-right corner to confirn
SITE MAP

ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF CHURCH FATHERS

ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF OTHER AUTHORS

ARTICLES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF EARLY CENTURIES

SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF CHURCH FATHERS


Back Home Top
FeedbackSubscribe for EMail Updates FeedbackSend Your Feedback
INDIAN CHRISTIAN WEB DIRECTORY [LINKS]
[ ECUMENICAL ] [ ORTHODOX ] [ MARTHOMA ] [ JACOBITE ] [ CATHOLIC ] [ CSI ] [ ORGANIZATIONS ] [ NEWS ] [ MALAYALAM ]
THE CHRISTIAN
LIGHT OF LIFE