The Intrinsic Value of God’s Love to Human Love for One Another
God’s love is the ultimate foundation for human relationships, shaping how we love one another with sincerity, compassion, and selflessness. The Bible teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), meaning that God’s very nature is love itself. This divine love is not based on merit but is unconditional, sacrificial, and redemptive. When we experience God’s love, it transforms our hearts, enabling us to extend grace and kindness to others. Human love, when rooted in God’s love, becomes more than just emotions or fleeting affections. It reflects the depth of patience, forgiveness, and humility that Christ demonstrated. Jesus commanded His followers, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34), setting the standard for how we should treat others – with the same self-giving and unwavering commitment He showed.
Without God’s love as the foundation, human love often falls into selfishness, conditionality, and inconsistency. However, when we allow God’s love to work through us, it becomes a powerful force that fosters unity, healing, and reconciliation. True love seeks the well-being of others, just as Christ gave Himself for humanity. Ultimately, the intrinsic value of God’s love is that it empowers us to love others deeply, forgivingly, and unconditionally. It is only through God’s love that we can truly reflect God’s image in our relationships, making the world a more compassionate and just place.
As the “Valentine’s Day” is just round the corner, a lot of expression of love will be going around again through social media. There is no harm in expressing our love for other/s openly, but the question is the genuineness of the love that we expressed openly. If we truly mean it, then it is something we should be endorsing, if not, our expression of love will have no value to the person whom we are trying to show it. Let us have the courage to be truthful and genuine when we love someone as Christ loves us.
By Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi
A/D Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation
RANCHI AUXILIARY
We thank God for his abundant grace for a new beginning and adding another New Year. Our gratitude to God is expressed through reaching out to children in the remote areas within our Auxiliary. On 20th January 2025, school bags were distributed to school going children at a place called Kondra and on 22nd January at a place called Amgaon. Both places are about 120 km away from Ranchi city. In Kondra 25 school bags and in Amgaon 35 school bags were distributed. Village school going children were very happy to receive the bags. It was just a small gesture to spread Gods love among the children.
24th January 2025 was a blessed day; we had an opportunity to visit St. Michel School for the blind in Ranchi. We distributed 50 braille calendars to the students. It was such a joy to see them. As they received the calendars in their hand, their fingers began to roll down on the letters with smiles. Besides regular curriculum activities and studies, the children are also taught music and computers. Thank God for his wonderful plan for the children.
By Rev. Neelam Tigga, Auxiliary Secretary, Ranchi Auxiliary
KERALA AUXILIARY
NEW BRANCH FORMATION
BSI Chelachuvadu Branch: The Chelachuvadu Branch in Idukki Region is formed as the 153rd Branch in Kerala Auxiliary at CSI Church Chelachuvadu on 15th December 2024. Rev Josline P Chacko presided over the meeting, and Dr. Josemon George, Regional Co-ordinator gave the introductory message. Rt. Rev. V S Francis, Auxiliary Vice President inaugurated the Branch, and the Auxiliary Secretary gave the Key Note address. The Auxiliary Treasurer- Dr. Sabu T Thomas, Clergies, Pastors, and members from various Churches attended the meeting. The following leaders were elected as office bearers: President: Rev. Josline P. Chacko, Secretary: Mr. James P. Sam, Treasurer: Mr. George Yeshavu, and committee members were also elected.
BSI Munnar Branch:
The Munnar Branch in Ernakulam East Region is formed as the 154th Branch in Kerala Auxiliary at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Munnar on 17th December 2024. Rev. P. K. Mammen (President, Adimaly Branch) presided over the meeting, and Chev. Prof. Baby M. Varghese gave the introductory message. The Auxiliary Secretary inaugurated the Branch. The Auxiliary Treasurer- Dr. Sabu T Thomas; Dr. W. J. Cherian, Regional Co-ordinator; Auxiliary Committee Members- Adv. P. V. Cherian, Er. John Minu Mathew, Er. Mrs. Suja Annie Mathew, Branch Officials- Adv. T. J George, Mr. Anil George, Asst. Marketing Officer, Mr. Elson Paul, Clergies, and Pastors greeted the event. Members from various churches attended the meeting. The following leaders were elected as office bearers: President: Rev. Ritto Reji, Vicar, Munnar Mar Thoma Church, Secretary: Adv. Pastor Johnly Joshy, IPC Church, Treasurer: Dr Mohan Babu, Orthodox Church and committee members were also elected.
BSI Mankulam Unit (Adimaly Branch): The long-awaited desire to start a unit at Mankulam under Adimaly Branch came true on 16th January 2025. God was gracious to form Mankulam Unit in the Meeting held at the Garden Hills Public School, Mankulam. BSI Adimaly Branch President- Rev. P. K. Mammen inaugurated the Unit. Mr. Anil George- Adimaly Branch Secretary, Mr. O. M. Elias, and other Branch members led the meeting. Pastor Thomas was selected as the Convenor for Mankulam Unit. We appreciate the leadership and active involvement of Mr. Arun K. Paul, Director of Garden Hills School, who played a significant role in the formation of the unit, along with everyone who worked behind the scenes.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
Malappuram Region:
The Meeting was held on 4th January 2025, at the Bible Bhavan, Nilambur; presided over by the Regional Vice President, Pastor Varghese Mathew. The Auxiliary Secretary delivered the keynote address and the priests and pastors greeted the gathering. Mementos and awards were given to the donors. We congratulate the Malappuram Region for reaching the first position at the Auxiliary level by collecting Rs.26,97,704/- in the financial year 2023- 2024. We express our gratitude for the sincere prayers and hard work of the Regional Co-ordinator, Mr. K. Franklin. We thank the Regional President, Rev. T. V. Thomas for his blessed leadership and the efforts of all the region/branch leaders and members.
Thrissur Region:
The Meeting was held on 10th December 2024, at Mar Thoma Mandiram, Thrissur. H. B. Mar Awgin Kuriakose, Metropolitan, Chaldean Church of the East inaugurated the event and the Auxiliary Secretary delivered the keynote address. The meeting was blessed with the active participation of priests, pastors, and branch office bearers from six branches. The meeting was effectively organized by the Regional Co-ordinator, Mr. M. C. George.
Idukki Region:
The Meeting was held on 5th December 2024, at St. George CSI Church, Pallikunnu. The meeting was chaired by BSI Peerumedu Branch President- Rev. Suneesh P. Divakaran and was inaugurated by CSI East Kerala Peerumedu District Chairman- Rev. A. T. John; the Auxiliary Secretary delivered the keynote address. The meeting witnessed active participation and discussion among the branch office bearers. The meeting was successfully organized by Regional Co-ordinator Dr. Josmon George and Rev. Liju Abraham, Vicar of the CSI Church, Pallikkunnu.
MARY JONES PUBLIC MEETING
The 2nd Mary Jones Women’s Fellowship Retreat of Kerala Auxiliary was held at Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Kottayam on 1st February 2025. Most Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan, former Auxiliary President inaugurated the event. The Bishop spoke that we are gathered today because of the courageous and hard work of Mary Jones, a girl from Wales, England, who in the 1800s dedicated herself to acquiring the Word of God. The Metropolitan has called on women members to embrace the challenge of becoming the ‘Mary Jones’ of our time. They are encouraged to prioritize the importance of spreading the Word of God and to shine as defenders of the faith within their homes, communities, and Churches. Rev. D. S. Arun, CSI South Kerala based on the theme, “Women as the custodian of faith in home and society” gave the keynote message. Prof. Mary Mathew, Dr. Sally Jacob, and Mrs. Maria Jacob took various sessions. Prof. Mary Madam (General Secretary, Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam -Women’s Wing of Orthodox Church of India) inspired the gathering by sharing personal experiences of her grandmother teaching the faith to her children and challenged the women to praise God for what they have instead of complaining about what they do not have. Mrs. Maria Jacob (Soumya), a visually challenged woman, redefined the ‘challenges’ as an art and a divine pathway for our lives. Dr. Sally Jacob delivered the concluding message. Rev. Jogy Oommen Philip, Rev. Shibu Mathew, Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal, and Rev. P. S. Yesudasan partook in the Meeting. We appreciate the dynamic leadership of Dr Sabu T. Thomas, Auxiliary Treasurer, Auxiliary Committee Members- Adv. P. V. Cherian, Er John Minu Mathew, Central Council Members- Er. Suja Annie Mathew, Chev. Dr. Koshy M George, Mrs. Babita Santhosh; and for the sacrificial efforts of Mr. Jacob Cherian, Mrs. Reeba John, branch members, and Auxiliary staff behind the successful functioning of this program. We sincerely thank all our esteemed sponsors for supporting this program. More than 170 members from different branches across Kerala attended the meeting.
By Rev Jacob Antony K, Auxiliary Secretary, Kerala Auxiliary