H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon this evening from the Church of St Mary and St Bishoy Church, 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. referred to a part from the Book of Acts, chapter one, verses 1-8. H.H. then mentioned that the fast of the Apostles in based on the fasting of the mouth and the idea of this fast is based on the verse “you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). A Christian person should be a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ and progresses to martyrdom. H.H. then explained some pictures of witnessing by mouth such as:

– The mouth and the tongue: that is when a person witnesses to our Lord Jesus Christ through speech and education, such as St. Peter the Apostle on the fiftieth day, and like St Paul the Apostle when he went to Corinth, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1Corinthians 2:4-5)

– The mouth and the hands together: that is when a person witnesses to our Lord Jesus Christ, through what he does or offers by his hands, for example: Tabitha who was full of good works and charitable deeds. Also, Acquila and Priscilla who were tentmakers for others.

– The mouth and the feet together: that is when a person witnesses to our Lord Jesus Christ through efforts in service, for example, serving the needy and visiting those who are far away, like Fr Bishoy Kamel.

H.H. then asked the question: what should I do to witness by mouth?

Prayers – to witness to God through prayers, “In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, Or hat shall be done to you, You false tongue?” (Psalms 120:1-3), because prayers is what saved Jonah and Danial, as our tongues should be sanctified by the Lord’s prayers.

Praises – to praise the Lord, like praises of the month of Kiahk to St. Mary and we glorify her because she has carried our Lord in her heart before her womb. Her tongue also full of the Commandments, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5). “My heart and my tongue praises the Holy Trinity”. Praise is a very nice image of prayers.

Education – that is to study, research and reflect so that you have the right information, and to raise awareness through education in childhood. “Erase sin with education”. Like when Moses the prophet has learnt from his mother, and Timothy, the disciple of St Paul the Apostle who have learnt from his mother and his grandmother. Also, through encouragement and support, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory” (Matthew 12:20)

Wisdom – to speak by wisdom, like our fathers the apostles whose words have reach the world. Also, from the history of our father, one of the fathers was asked: “Which is better, speech or silence?”. This father answered and said: “If speech was for God, then it is better, and if silence is for God then it is better”. Your words should be wise, so witnessing comes from your right heart and life.

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