Today, evening, H.H Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly Wednesday sermon from the church of St. Virgin Mary and St. Anba Bishoy at El Abasia. A number of pontiffs attended and the sermon was preceded by prayer on the eve of the Glorious Feast of the Annunciation, which the Church celebrates tomorrow.
Christian Satellite Channels and C.O.C. Channel of the Church Media Center on the Internet broadcasted the sermon.
H.H continued his contributions on the Sundays of Lent, to which he dedicated a series “Where are you?” as he addressed the verses of the Gospel of the Sixth Sunday Mass of Lent by John Al-Bashir, chapter 9:1-25, and indicated that we can meet Christ on our way, taking from Jesus Christ’s meeting with the born blind as an example.
H.H highlighted the importance of working and initiative in service and work as one of the Christian principles: “For whoever knows how to do good and does not do, it is a sin to him.”
H.H presented the situations in which Christ can accompany us on our way:
• While traveling: “And while they were talking and conversing, Jesus, himself drew near to them and was walking with them.” (Luke 24:15).
• In pain: “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier… He said: “And he said to him!” (Luke 7:13-14).
• In a form of a person who is in need: “Because I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.” (Matthew 25:35).
• While meeting specific people whose services need their presence in the street: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)
H.H presented 3 training for services:
- Show mercy while you are out of the house. “He who despises his neighbour, sins, and he who is merciful to the needy, blessed is he.” (Proverbs 14:21).
- Make and present love “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water… he will not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42).
- Support and protect the weak “Encourage the small of souls. Support the weak. Be patient with everyone.” (1 Thess 5:14).
In the first week of Lent, H.H began a new series of contributions that will continue throughout the fasting period, through God’s question to Adam, “Where are you?” H.H indicated that God is always searching for us, and fasting presents us with 7 places where we meet with God on Fasting, and this is the sixth episode of the series.
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