His Holiness Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at Wednesday’s meeting this evening, from the Church of the Virgin Mary and Saint Bishoy at the Papal Residence in the Abbaseya Cathedral. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the C.O.C channel of the Church’s media center on the Internet.
His Holiness continued the series of “Stations of the Journey of Great Lent and Connecting It to Family Life.” H.H. discussed a part of the fourth chapter in the Gospel of our teacher Matthew (verses 1 to 11). His Holiness referred to the topic of next Sunday, which is “Sunday of Temptation,” and the wars of the enemy that Christ faced after Fasting and its forms in the life of the family, through:
1- Flesh lusts, Food and craving lusts “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”(Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬)

Sensual pleasure and the love of possession, as in the parable of the stupid rich man “Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’”
‭‭(Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬-‭20‬)
Also, moral lust, as Amnon did with Tamar “Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”(II Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬)

2- Lust for grandeur and vanity “throw Yourself”
Transcendence in appearance and social prestige, and how a person is famous.
The “ego” in dealing with family members, domestic violence and bullying.
Vanity and pride, such as when the husband takes over the conversation, or when the wife takes over the speech in complaining. “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” while the spirit of humility prevails, as St. Paul the Apostle says “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬), and also St. Peter says: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”(I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬)‬‬

3- Worshiping the kingdoms of the world “worship me”
-Atheism and self-worship.
Worshiping media, screen time, and spreading deviant ideas.
The “LGBT community,” which includes homosexuals, transgender people, and bisexuals.
-Worshiping science, artificial intelligence “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬), “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”‭‭(Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬)

Then His Holiness asked a question: How do we face dilemmas in the journey of life?
1- Acquire the eye of faith with hope, and faith is told by the gospel and constant prayers for protection, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.” (Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭14‬), “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬)

2- Obtain the eye of satisfaction , because grumbling and stubbornness are the entrance to trials. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬)
3- Obtain the eye of joyful serving and serve joyfully like what the widow offered to Elijah to the prophet and gained a promise “For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ”‭‭(I Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬)

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