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 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 Great Lent Journey and Connecting It to Family Life”, and dealt with part of chapter 9 of the Gospel of our teacher St John (verses 1 to 7), and referred to the topic of the upcoming Sunday, which is “The Man Born Blind” and the attitude of the family towards one of its members who has some kind of disability, and how the world views these “capable people differently,” and what is the Bible’s view of them, through:
1- The family and those around him feel sad and distressed.
2- The state’s commitment to provide them with facilities.
3- The Holy Bible’s view on them “but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬)

-That they can be used and succeed despite their disabilities.
-Their outstanding abilities.
-Challenge them to reality.

Then His Holiness asked a question: What do we do when God allows the presence of this person in the family?

1- Accepting the gift of God within us without complaining.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬)

2- Thinking in a positive way with patience and contentment, striving to know God’s goal and to know this person’s message in life, and what he can offer. “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬)

3- Giving thanks and not complaining, and trusting that it is a message from God to this family, and that God is glorified in this person.
“Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬)

4- Joy is that it is a gift from God, and a responsibility that He sent to the family so that it can provide services to others.
“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬)

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