 Today is Tamil New Year's day and in this season of Easter and in this week when our Gospel reading focused on St Thomas the apostle who declared his crazy friend and Rabbi Jesus, 'My Lord and my God', it takes a significant meaning. St Thomas' Mount in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is where it is believed that he was martyred and buried. The only denomination named after a Saint called Mar Thoma (Blessed Thomas) Church bears witness to his witness to the Resurrection of our Lord. So, today, as the Tamils celebrate their New Year's day (Amu and I are natives of Tamil Nadu) we remember St Thomas and give thanks for his enquiring mind which led him to an enquiring people in India.
There is significant amount of scholarship which links St Thomas to a collection of poetry from his time in Tamil Nadu, knows as 'Thirukkural.' Inspired by this several German scholars in Tamil lived and worked on the ancient Tamil grammar. In 1850 when David Livingston went to Africa, his friend and fellow church member in Glasgow, Robert Caldwell went to Tamil Nadu to follow up on reputed the Tamil Grammar. His work resulted in the oppressed natives rediscover their identity as well developed ancient civilisation. Small beginnings behind 'Closed Doors' blessed by the Risen Lord continues to transform our world. The small beginnings of St Andrew's in the Upper Rooms of the Castle Gate in 1715 continue to inspire and transform many through our faithfulness. So, the image of the rainbow over our beloved St Andrew's will rise again from the ashes to shed new light on the 'Risen Christ' one more time.
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