Christian Commitment to Service- Faith in Practice (Festschrift in Honour of Archbishop Antony Pappusamy)

Christian Service is essentially a requirement of Christian faith and an outpouring of Christian love. Christian faith and service are inseparable. Christianity is a communitarian faith and is rightly known for charitable activities. Charity is a hallmark of Christian faith. Christian service is a voluntary and dutiful commitment for charitable acts without expecting anything in return. Life of a Christian is to be filled with love, compassion and service. Service is not an option but a duty.

This Festschrift Christian Commitment to Service: Faith in Practice contains a collection of articles on Christian service from interdisciplinary perspectives. It reflects on foundations, models and challenges of Christian service and presents recognitions of the service of a good shepherd and archbishop.

J. Charles Davis is a postdoctoral Humboldt Research Fellow at the Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg. He has a Doctorate in Theology from the Jesuit University of Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt. He has been a Professor of Moral Theology and Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy and Theology, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar and a Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life in the Vatican City.

Jeevaraj Lourdhu is a Professor of Moral Theology and has been Registrar and Administrator of the House at St. Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirappalli. He has a Masters in Theology from St. Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirappalli and holds a Masters in Advanced Studies in Theology and Religion and a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven. He is a Priest of the Archdiocese of Madurai.

Christian life begins with the faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God loved the world unconditionally that He gave His only Son to save the lost world. God sent Him to liberate humans from bondages and sin. Whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for the salvation of His people. The life of Jesus exemplified love, truth and justice. His followers are called to believe in Him and follow His path. He Himself outlined a few mandates: "Follow me," "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15), "If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). Christians must have a firm faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him in word and deed. Faith in Christ is not a mere feeling but a commitment to follow Him all the way in the service of humanity for salvation of everyone.

Service is the commitment to faith in practice. Faith leads a Christian to commit oneself to the selfless service of the neighbour. Neighbour is every other person. Service is basically a requirement of faith. Christian faith, commitment, service and charity are inseparable. No true Christian would work only for one's salvation alone. Christianity is basically a communitarian faith and is rightly known for its charitable activities. Liberation and salvation of everyone is the Christian motto. Christian service must be a selfless act of charity. Charity is the hallmark of Christian faith. Christian life is to be filled with love, compassion and service. Christian service is a dutiful commitment for the charitable act. Service is nothing but an expression of faith itself. Service is not an option but a commitment to faith itself. Therefore, every Christian is called to commit oneself to service as it expresses the true faith in their Master.

This Festschrift "Christian Commitment to Service: Faith in Practice" is a dedication to His Grace Archbishop Antony Pappusamy for his exemplary life and selfless ministry in the service of humanity. He is an epitome of Christian faith and service. He is simple, humble, amicable and approachable.

**Contents and Sample Pages**