Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.

The covid pandemic hit the world last year 2020 which took away many loved ones, leaving behind the families, friends and the communities with pains and sorrows; it hit the economic sectors, impacting the individuals, families, corporate organizations including the governments, leaving behind untold miseries, hunger, jobless especially the poorer sections of the people and disorientation in work places; it impacted the people emotionally, mentally leading to depressions, anxieties, worries and fears and change of life-styles; spiritually it was an acid test of our faith in God and in His promises; challenges in our missions and ministries; disturbed our traditional and practices of Christian worship and fellowship.

However, on the other hand, it also brought some positive results leading us into new set of perspectives. It made us to think seriously about life, its brevity, the hope beyond the temporal and the value and purpose of living; family life was more valued and cherished than before; believers in Christ enhanced prayer life, on their  knees asking God’s Hand in the situation and also to content the disease; the Church leaders including the theological community had to rethink its mission and ministry from a holistic perspective calling for Good Samaritan approach in the given covid pandemic context.

There was a brief respite from covid and people took for granted that it is over. But 2021 brought more shocking situation by the so-called the covid ‘second wave’. Its impact in India is so strong that death toll is heavy on men and women irrespective of religions, colors, caste, communities and gender. The untold miseries upon the bereaved families, the fears, worries and depressions impacted so many people. In the midst of the horrible covid situation our faith is again tested. The role of the church is tested. The church at this juncture, cannot be a silent spectator, passive, complacent and irresponsible anymore towards what is happening.  Some of us respond to the issue as, ‘God is in control and He will see us through. Keep fasting and praying in your closets’, whereas, people are dying outside of our four-wall. Our neighbors, families, friends, men and women known and unknown, are dying and suffering.

In this extreme time of covid situation, spiritual approach, emotional statements and theologizing the covid cannot be the answer unless we give serious attention to the social Gospel as well. Here, loving God and loving our suffering neighbors are very important. As James says, “…faith without work is dead” (James 2:26), the church must reach out to people in need. Indeed, the churches under the Council are carrying out a yeoman service to covid victims. Our thanks and appreciation goes to the churches. It reflects a holistic approach to the ministry God has entrusted to us.

The experts are talking about the possibility of the third covid wave, God forbid that it should come but on our part we need to be prepared for it should it come. The experiences from the two waves have taught us hard lessons and we cannot effort to ignore and be complacent to the warning. Let us all be responsible people in taking care of self, family, the church members and be ready to extend our helping hands to the people in times of need.

In this difficult time, let us remember each other in prayer. God bless.

Yours in Christ,