Pope Tawadros II: Mercy has five actions: it sees (feels), moves, covers, endures, and leads a person to heaven
Pope Tawadros II honors the top students in the General Secondary Certificate, equivalent certificates, technical diplomas, and the winners of the “Read, Know, and Win” competition
H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday Meeting this evening from the Grand Cathedral of Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast through Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C. channel affiliated with the Church’s Media Center.
His Holiness prayed the Vespers prayers with the participation of Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the Churches of the El-Montazah Sector) and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of the Churches of the East Alexandria Sector). Also in attendance was Hegumen Abraam Emil, General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria; the church priests, several priests of Alexandria, the church deacons’ choir, and the congregation.
Before beginning his sermon, His Holiness congratulated everyone on the Fast of the Virgin Mary, which the Coptic Orthodox Church began on Friday. He also congratulated the successful students in the General Secondary Certificate examinations, noting that success spreads joy throughout society and the Church. His Holiness affirmed that opportunities for study and employment have become available in numerous fields, but the most important thing is to work and make good use of one’s skills and diligence.
During his sermon, His Holiness continued his series “Spiritual Laws for Life,” speaking today about “The Law of Mercy,” reflecting on the verse: “And be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
This was in connection with the Fast of the Virgin Mary, whom we call “the Mother of Mercy.”
His Holiness explained that the expression “be merciful” is broader than “show mercy,” as it carries a plural meaning, referring to all of us, as well as a sense of continuity throughout one’s life. He pointed out that hardness of heart deprives a person of heaven, while mercy carries compassion within it. During the Fast of the Virgin Mary, we pray and hope that our hearts may be transformed to become like the heart of the Virgin Mary, “the Mother of Mercy.”
Pope Tawadros noted that in order to learn and understand life, a person should visit three places:
-The hospital, to understand the value of health.
-The prison, to understand the value of freedom.
-The cemetery, to realize that those whose lives have been completed and whose bodies have returned to dust once had voices that were heard, but their lives have now come to an end.
Thus, a person becomes merciful and does not forget the commandment, “And be merciful,” caring for the sick, the suffering, prisoners, and engaging in all forms of service.
His Holiness explained how mercy was manifested in the life of the Virgin Mary through five words:
- Mercy sees (feels):
This was demonstrated at the Wedding at Cana of Galilee, when Virgin Mary noticed that the wine had run out and said to Jesus: “They have no wine.” (John 2:3)
A merciful person sees something that others have not noticed. For example, we may see someone and inwardly sense that they are in need of assistance.
- Mercy moves:
When the angel of the Annunciation came to the Virgin Mary and announced the good news to her, he also told her that Elizabeth, her relative, was with child. The Virgin Mary therefore went in haste to serve her. Mercy is a positive action.
- Mercy covers:
One of the actions of mercy is that it covers, whereas one of the manifestations of hardness is creating commotion and exposing others. Those who do not cover others will not be covered by God.
At the Wedding at Cana of Galilee, the Virgin Mary sought to cover the situation of the wedding hosts. She therefore said to the Lord Christ, “They have no wine.” (John 2:3) A merciful person covers others rather than exposing them.
- Mercy endures:
The Virgin Mary endured as she stood at the crucifixion of the Lord Christ:
“While the world rejoices to receive salvation, but my heart burns as I behold Your crucifixion, which You endured for all, O my Son and my God.”
Mercy endures.
- Mercy leads a person to heaven:
One of the most frequent words we say in our prayers is “Kyrie eleison” (“Have mercy on us, O God”). At the Wedding at Cana of Galilee, the Virgin Mary said to the servants:
“Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5)
Mercy leads to a solution and ultimately to a joyful outcome.
H.H. Pope Tawadros II concluded: “My beloved, during the Fast of the Virgin Mary, take one virtue from her, and let it be the virtue of mercy. No matter how simple an act of mercy may be, its reward in heaven is great.”
Following the sermon, His Holiness honored the top students in the General Secondary Certificate, equivalent certificates, and technical diplomas. He also honored the winners of the “Read, Know, and Win” competition, organized by the Emy Center for Continuing Education under the supervision of Hegumen Antonious Fahmy.
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