His Holiness Pope Tawadros II delivered his sermon this evening which was held in St. Mary and St. Bishoy’s Church in Abbaseya.

The sermon was broadcast on Christian channels and C.O.C. and over the internet.

H.H. continued on the educational series “The Wisdom of Fasting in Our Church” and H.H. explained a part of 1 Samuel chapter 3 and contemplated on the purpose of fasting, and that God speaks through silence and calmness, and in order to know the right path, we must begin with the foundation which is the ear. H.H. warned of five types of ears which are:

1. The ear that listens only: for example, Adam and Eve, who have list to the serpent and not to God, and Solomon the wise, when he asked for an understanding heart, but did not listen to God in regards to the strange women, “that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” (1 Kings 11:4). Also Zacharias the priest and his wife Elizabeth, who did not have children then the angel told him: “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard” (Luke 1:13)

2. The ear that listens and it stubborn: like Pharoah who enslaved the Children of Israel and God sent him the ten plagues but he did not listen. Also, Saul when he resisted and offered a sacrifice and lived in pride and also Judas who betrayed our Lord who have listened to the sermons of Jesus but he listened and resisted.

3. An ear that listens and responds for a while but then backs off: for example Jonah who have responded to God but then backed off and was swallowed by a whale then God spoke to him again and he went Nineveh and the people repented. Another example is Agrippa who have responded but for a little while, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28), but he did not become a Christian. Also, Samson who responded the urging of Delilah and told her about the secret of his strength and then he lost it.

4. The ear that hears, understands and obeys: and obedience comes in stages, thirty, sixty and a hundred. For example, Moses the prophet when he listened to God at the bush and knew the importance of his role in saving his people but he was afraid to implement it, so God granted him his brother, Aaron, to help him implement the word of God. Also, Samuel, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10).

So a person should have a quiet time during fasting to hear God’s voice and spend time in praises and prayers.

5. The ear that listens and responds a hundred percent: and our great example is St. Mary, as she listens and responds with complete devotion to God with no doubts. When the angel announced to her a message that no one received before and she said: “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be yo me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).

Therefore, a person must have a connection with the Holy Bible and listen to the commandments and live by it because it erases the human’s weaknesses.

H.H. referred to three trainings for a person to help him respond to the word of God and this is through:

1. Listen to His word: “Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O my nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples. (Isaiah 51:4)

2. Rejoice in the word of God: “For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. (Job 22: 26-27). “Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.” (Psalms 126:5). As fasting is a period of worship and vigil.

3. Consecrate your ears to His words: and to be filled with the holy word and fill your heart and mind with God’s words and commandments.

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