Some images from Saturday. Comments refer to the photo(s) beneath.
St George's Cathedral, Chennai, where the memorials are a history of Christian mission in India since around 1850.
It is said here that the missionaries brought soup, soap and salvation.
Soup - food to live on
Cleanliness
Salvation.
That combination is very much echoed by the church's involvement in schooling and hospitals.
The gospel is explained to a Brahmin (one from the highest caste)
Memorial to Lesslie Newbigin
Below: Saris are offered to Mary at this shrine in thanksgiving for prayers answered (near Velankanni church). The statue of Mary is dressed in a sari in thanksgiving. Other offerings can also be made eg a small 'lock' is attached to the metal surround as a prayer for a house - these can be seen in the photo below. I am told that this is not very different from a nearby Hindu Temple.
Mary takes centre stage, while images of Christ seem to be less than central. It is said Mary appeared to fishermen out at sea. The shrine was built in response.
There is need for the gospel to relate to culture and I guess that this is what is being sought. Making use of the sacramental is helpful for prayer, eg if at Good Friday we write down prayers and place them on a cross. However, we always need to make clear in our use of the sacramental that our prayer depends on God's grace and is not dependent on our sacrifice. The context of Hinduism and the centrality of Mary (Hinduism has a focus on the worship pf mother gods, I think) makes me think that this is indigenisation gone too far. But I know I have much to learn.
Scenes leading to the seashore and of the fisherman and beach. This area was affected by the Tsunami and homes lost. There is much poverty though those with more money pay for better education for their children. But they do not seek themselves to leave the area.
Back home afterwards for supper and to finish off preparing for the sermon on Sunday.
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