Life and Ministry of a Bishop!
The Rt. Rev. Jos Tharakan | XIV Bishop of Idaho
“Peace begins with a smile,” declared Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a woman who understood that the grandest endeavors of the heart often start with the smallest of gestures. We have recently witnessed an event that demands our attention and gratitude: the historic move toward peace between Gaza and Israel. This moment, where diplomacy and courage…
The experience of power is inherently intoxicating. When entrusted to an individual, it can create a dangerous, false sense of invincibility, allowing them to act in ways they previously couldn’t imagine. This false sense often masks what the scripture calls pride, the ancient precursor to a spectacular fall. The real nature of this overreach is…
The noise of the modern world—the constant fracturing of communities by pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness—often leaves us searching for a practical blueprint for healing. We find it not in complex manifestos, but in the radical simplicity exemplified by St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Their lives offer a unified, powerful witness against…
The devastating mass shooting and arson attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan on September 28th shook us to the core. As the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, our first commitment is to mourn with those who mourn. We stand in profound solidarity with The Church of the Latter-day Saints, our…
Interactive Application: The Mandate of Matthew 5:16 The Process Key Concepts The Motive Application “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 – The Divine Process The verse outlines a clear, four-stage journey from internal faith to external impact. Click on…
An Interactive Guide to Centering Prayer The Path of Centering Prayer An interactive journey into an ancient Christian practice of silent communion with the Divine, revitalized for the modern world. The Practice The Lineage The Transformation How to Practice Centering Prayer is built upon four simple guidelines. This section provides an interactive walkthrough of the…
God of Grace, be our friend when we need one. Be a parent when we feel the absence of our parents and those who have stood in their place. In return, please give us the grace to be the friend and parent to the one who does not have one and needs one today. In…
Celebrating a season of creativity. Here is my latest instrumental music. This creative activity keeps me centered and relaxed. It’s fun and enjoyable. Blessings to you who listen to this music.
“Light is less something you see directly, and more something by which you see all other things.” Richard Rohr A few days ago I called a friend and a retired bishop to discuss something. I asked him how he was doing and said, “Jos, I am sleeping well. I get eight hours of sleep every…
The life of a bishop is pulled into different directions at any given moment. We are expected to be balanced talking slowly, intentionally, carefully, and lovingly while being clear, precise, and concise. Good luck, right? Now I know why I received this one-line response from Bishop Larry Benfield when I wrote to him as a…