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 completed the series of “Stations of the Journey of Great Lent and Connecting It to Family Life”, and H.H. recited part of chapter 15 in the Gospel of our teacher St.Luke, which contains the parable of the “Prodigal Son” that the Church takes as the subject of the Gospel of next Sunday, and H.H. dealt through the parable with the problem of the stubborn son, indicating that he is characterised as:
1- He resists advice.
2- Boosted ego
3- He does not give consideration to the feelings of others.
4- He puts his interests before the interests of others.

H.H. pointed out that the first stubborn was Satan, who was stubborn with God. Where did it come from, His Holiness said:
1- Self-esteem.
2- Bad upbringing (spoiling or cruelty).
3- Family disputes.

H.H. mentioned that the story of “The Prodigal Son” is the most famous story in the world, and it is a human story in the first place, and it is the most influential and is also full of lessons. H.H. emphasized that the father had been praying for his son throughout his absence, and was also waiting for his return.

Regarding the stubborn personalities mentioned in the Bible, His Holiness addressed some of them, such as Pharaoh, the people of Israel, and others.
His Holiness spoke about the actions of the prodigal son, which are: give me, travel, spend, need, crave pigs’ food, return to himself.
H.H. pointed out that as parents we need to teach our children:
1- The virtue of returning back from error: taking St Peter the Apostle as a model for retracting from error after denying Christ, Mary Magdalene… and others.

2- Repenting quickly “I will arise and go”: giving an example of the people of Nineveh who responded quickly to Jonah’s call.
3- Confessing a mistake: which is what we practice in the sacrament of confession, and H.H. mentioned one of the most beloved words in our church is the word “I have sinned.” It is a word that sums up many problems and softens the heart of others.
His Holiness concluded the sermon by emphasizing that the prodigal son, by returning to his father’s bosom, became “Th Good Son,” which is what we must do as fathers with our children.

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