His Holiness Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday evening meeting, from the Church of St. the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph the Righteous in Smouha, Alexandria The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the C.O.C channel of the Church’s media center on the Internet.
Before the sermon, Father Abraam Emil, the Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria spoke, expressing his thanks to His Holiness through the verse: “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted” (Proverbs 11:11), referring to three blessings that the children of the Church in Alexandria received during the visit of His Holiness to their churches in recent weeks, they are:
1- The blessing of education
2- The blessing of fatherhood
3- The blessing of joy in love
During the sermon, H.H. continued on “Strong Short Prayers from the Liturgy”, and H.H. explained a part of the tenth chapter (the chapter of care) in the Gospel of our teacher St. John and the numbers (10-14), and he referred to a short request from the prayers that the church raises after the prayers of sanctification, which are: “Control the Shepherds”.
H.H. also pointed out that the Bible repeatedly used two forms of social life, namely: “the shepherd” and “the bridegroom,” because the Lord Christ is the shepherd of souls and a groom for every soul, and H.H. explained that the letters of the word “control” are an abbreviation for three words, which are:
1- the conscience, the conscience of the shepherd must be awake wherever he is responsible.
2- virtue, the good shepherd always has the right behaviour.
3- aspiration, that the good shepherd has ambition for the best and desires development.
His Holiness set the characteristics of the undisciplined shepherd, through:
1- Lack of a sense of responsibility.
2- He always makes excuses and justifications for his mistakes.
3- He is always dissatisfied and complains about himself.
4- Cares about formalities and appearances.
His Holiness also pointed out the characteristics of the disciplined shepherd, which are:
1- Controlling the thought: constantly asking God to test it in order to get rid of any false thought and acquire a purity of heart.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24)
2- Controlling the mouth: He does not utter harsh words, “But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)
3- Control of the heart: to have a strong relationship with God, to pray for the sake of the people, and not to be proud of himself. “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). He has an inner feeling of responsibility.
4- Self-control: controlling the behaviour of impulsiveness and judgment “he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16: 32)
His Holiness the Pope explained that the disciplined shepherd has an ideal image, through:
1- Shepherds out of love and in a manner of service.
2- He sets his heart for the parish.
3- He does not flee in times of crisis, but rather faces situations with courage.
4-He lives with total honesty “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
5- He can satisfy the subjects and be beneficial to them.
6-He cares with joy, and considers the others as the reason for his happiness.
7- He has wisdom, sanity, and humanity.
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