Potta
A Microcosm of the
World
Thirsting for the
Word
Tens of thousands of people
experienced a spiritual renewal by receiving the word of God at the Bible
Convention at Potta from February 11th -15th. Potta became the venue for
the multitudes hailing from various walks of life to proclaim Jesus as
the only Lord and Saviour and experience the power of the life-giving word
of God in their personal lives. These people of all castes and creeds were
led to experience the presence and nearness of the living God and conversion
of heart and a renewed spirit. During the days of the convention, the voice
of Jesus, the Word of God kept resounding in their hearts, exhorting the
people to drink from the Source of Living Waters and to surrender themselves,
their bodies and souls to follow the path of holiness.
On Feb 11th, His Lordship
James Pazhayattil, Bishop of Irinjalakuda, inaugurated the national convention.
The Bishop exhorted the people to strive to become living witnesses fighting
against the contemporary culture of death and violence.
Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy
of Trichur who celebrated Mass on the second day of the convention, reminded
the people to render thanks to God who strengthens the faith of the people
through signs.
The message of the word
is translated into a living reality when justice is done towards our brothers
and sisters and mercy shown to the poor. This is the true Christian spirit
- so said Rev Dr Antony Plackal, the General of the Vincentian Congregation
and the chief celebrant of the Eucharistic Sacrifice on the concluding
day of the convention.
On different days of the
convention, Fr Mathew Naikomparambil, Fr George Kammatil, Fr George Panackal,
Fr Mathew Elavunkal, Fr John Kanichery, Fr Antony Thekanath, Fr Augustine
Vallooran, Fr Jose Vettiankal and Bro Pappachan Pallath guided the gathering
to explore the inexhaustible riches of the word of God. The people were
filled with the Divine Spirit and renewed in mind and heart, casting off
the old man and putting on the new man, returned home not to hide the light
of the word but to share it - yes, to sow the seed of the word of God,
ready to plough the land filled with stones, thistles, rock and waste.
The fruit of the Convention is just this.