Today in theology class we watched a movie on priesthood. Surprisingly it was quite modern portrayal  of the Church and priesthood today. In today's world with a busy lifestyle, rapid pace of technological growth, scientific advances, new issues and debates our parents and grandparents never had to go through--where does faith fit in? Is there a purpose for it anymore? Is anyone willing to just sit still, be silent, and just pray anymore? With the topic that arose in class today and with some of the blog posts I have seen from my classmates on the discussion of faith, I decided to put out my point of view on it. So here it goes...
            AD 33 is the date marked as the death of Jesus. Three days after his death was his
resurrection. His spirit remained on earth for forty days until the day of Pentecost when He sent the Holy Spirit down and told his twelve Apostles to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Each of the Apostles had a destination. Peter embarked on a journey to Asia Minor. Andrew ministered in Greece. James the Great introduced the faith to Spain. John was in Ephesus. Sources tell us James remained in Jerusalem, etc. Thomas, however, came to India. He came to a community located in the south and converted many people to Christianity, including my ancestors. Over the centuries a relationship was formed with the Church of the East, or theOrthodox Church, and that Indian Christian community. Today the community is part of the ofthe Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.
            The Syrian Orthodox Church is one of the most ancient churches within Christian
existence. It is believed to be directly established by the Apostles. Its headquarters is in Antioch, Syria and according to Acts 11:26 “...The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” The Orthodox Church is evangelical but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It is not non-denominational, it's pre-denominational. It has been believed, taught, preserved, defended, and died for. 
            This is a Church that I am humbled to be a part of, knowing that I come from the deepest roots within Christianity, and history itself. With an ever modernizing world, why should we stick to traditions that are over 2,000 years old? The purpose is to connect ourselves with those before us, surpassing what is beyond time.
           What means to me the most is my faith because with a busy lifestyle and hectic schedule, coming to participate in Mass on Sunday is something I come to for peace, and weirdly enough, I like going to church. It is an elaborate service full of art, music, and prayer that help me to keep in touch with my family, culture, past, and undoubtedly, myself.