Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are like the moon; the glory we show is the reflection of the greater life in our lives that does not originate in us but is a blessing to others through us. Look to God for your hope, your strength, your values, your foundation, your security, and your light.

Day 24 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Tute, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.

The Twenty-Fourth Day of the Blessed Month of Tute

Departure of St.Gregory the Monk

      On this day departed St. Gregory the monk. He was the son of righteous, Christian and exceedingly rich parents from one of the cities of Upper Egypt. They gave great importance to teaching their son the art of speaking and medicine and then they taught him the doctrine of the Church. Next, they sent him to the father Abba Isaac, bishop of their city who made him a deacon to serve the altar, and when they wanted him to get married, he refused. After this, the bishop promoted him to a full deacon and he kept continually praying as he had been inclined to solitude since his early years. He used to pay many visits to Abba Pachomius. He took much money from his parents and brought it to St.Pachomius, beseeching him to spend it on building monasteries. The saint accepted his alms and spent it on building the monasteries of the holy Cenobitism.

      After this, he went to Abba Pachomius, where he became a monk, and he struggled practicing all kinds of virtues. The fornicators learned purity from his appearance and example. He dwelt there for thirteen years. When Saint Macarius came to visit St. Pachomius, he asked St. Pachomius to permit him to go with St. Macarius. He dwelt with St. Macarius for two years, then he asked him if he could live alone and St. Macarius allowed him. He dug out a small cave for himself in the mountain where he dwelt for seven years. He used to come to St. Macarius twice each year, on Christmas and Easter, to be guided by him in his spiritual flight. When he had completed twenty-two years of strife, God wished him to rest. God sent to him an angel who informed him that after three days he would depart from the world. St. Gregory called the elders of the desert, and bade them farewell and asked them to remember him in their prayers, and after the three days, he departed in peace.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all. Amen.

Martyrdom of St.Quadratus, One of the Seventy Disciples

      On this day also was the martyrdom of St. Quadratus, one of the seventy disciples who were chosen by the Lord. He was born in the city of Athens, and he was one of its wealthy and learned nobles. He believed in the Lord Christ and served him. Having received the grace of the Comforter on the day of Pentecost, he went to many countries preaching the life-giving Gospel. He entered the city of Magnis and preached there and the people of the city believed and he baptized and taught them the life-giving Commandments. Then he returned to Athens and preached there, but they stoned him and tortured him severely. Finally they cast him into the fire, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.

Vespers

Vespers Psalm

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.

Psalms 5 : 11 - 12

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen. 

Vespers Gospel

Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.

Matthew 10 : 24 - 33

And Glory be to God forever. 

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Matins

Matins Psalm

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.

Psalms 34 : 19 - 20

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen. 

Matins Gospel

Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.

John 12 : 20 - 26

And Glory be to God forever. 

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Liturgy Gospel

Paulines Epistle

Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Corinthians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.

2 Corinthians 11 : 16 - 12 : 12

The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen. 

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Catholic Epistle

A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. Peter .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.

1 Peter 1 : 25 - 2 : 10

Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen. 

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Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.

Acts 6 : 1 - 7 : 2

The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen. 

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Synaxarium

Day 24 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Tute, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.

The Twenty-Fourth Day of the Blessed Month of Tute

Departure of St.Gregory the Monk

      On this day departed St. Gregory the monk. He was the son of righteous, Christian and exceedingly rich parents from one of the cities of Upper Egypt. They gave great importance to teaching their son the art of speaking and medicine and then they taught him the doctrine of the Church. Next, they sent him to the father Abba Isaac, bishop of their city who made him a deacon to serve the altar, and when they wanted him to get married, he refused. After this, the bishop promoted him to a full deacon and he kept continually praying as he had been inclined to solitude since his early years. He used to pay many visits to Abba Pachomius. He took much money from his parents and brought it to St.Pachomius, beseeching him to spend it on building monasteries. The saint accepted his alms and spent it on building the monasteries of the holy Cenobitism.

      After this, he went to Abba Pachomius, where he became a monk, and he struggled practicing all kinds of virtues. The fornicators learned purity from his appearance and example. He dwelt there for thirteen years. When Saint Macarius came to visit St. Pachomius, he asked St. Pachomius to permit him to go with St. Macarius. He dwelt with St. Macarius for two years, then he asked him if he could live alone and St. Macarius allowed him. He dug out a small cave for himself in the mountain where he dwelt for seven years. He used to come to St. Macarius twice each year, on Christmas and Easter, to be guided by him in his spiritual flight. When he had completed twenty-two years of strife, God wished him to rest. God sent to him an angel who informed him that after three days he would depart from the world. St. Gregory called the elders of the desert, and bade them farewell and asked them to remember him in their prayers, and after the three days, he departed in peace.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all. Amen.

Martyrdom of St.Quadratus, One of the Seventy Disciples

      On this day also was the martyrdom of St. Quadratus, one of the seventy disciples who were chosen by the Lord. He was born in the city of Athens, and he was one of its wealthy and learned nobles. He believed in the Lord Christ and served him. Having received the grace of the Comforter on the day of Pentecost, he went to many countries preaching the life-giving Gospel. He entered the city of Magnis and preached there and the people of the city believed and he baptized and taught them the life-giving Commandments. Then he returned to Athens and preached there, but they stoned him and tortured him severely. Finally they cast him into the fire, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen. 

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Divine Psalm

Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.

Psalms 21 : 3,5

Hallelujah. 

Divine Gospel

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.

Luke 10 : 1 - 20

And Glory be to God forever. 

‏هأنذا‏ ‏واقف‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الباب‏ ‏وأقرع‏.‏

أن‏ ‏سمع‏ ‏أحد‏ ‏صوتي‏ ‏وفتح‏ ‏الباب‏,‏
ادخل‏ ‏إليه‏ ‏وأتعشي‏ ‏معه‏ ‏وهو‏ ‏معي‏ (‏رؤ‏3:14).‏
الكتاب‏ ‏المقدس‏ ‏يمتلئ‏ ‏بفعل‏ ‏السمع‏ ‏أو‏ ‏الاستماع‏, ‏منها‏:‏
‏+ ‏في‏ ‏العهد‏ ‏القديم‏: ‏أميلوا‏ ‏آذانكم‏ ‏وهلموا‏ ‏إلي‏. ‏اسمعوا‏ ‏فتحيا‏ ‏أنفسكم‏. ‏وأقطع‏ ‏لكم‏ ‏عهدا‏ ‏أبديا‏, ‏مراحم‏ ‏داود‏ ‏الصادقة‏ (‏إش‏55:3) ‏وفي‏ ‏صموئيل‏ ‏الأول‏: ‏هوذا‏ ‏الاستماع‏ ‏أفضل‏ ‏من‏ ‏الذبيحة‏, ‏والإصغاء‏ ‏أفضل‏ ‏من‏ ‏شحم‏ ‏الكباش‏ (1‏صم‏15:22).‏
‏+ ‏وفي‏ ‏العهد‏ ‏الجديد‏: ‏اليوم‏, ‏إن‏ ‏سمعتم‏ ‏صوته‏ ‏فلا‏ ‏تقسوا‏ ‏قلوبكم‏ (‏مز‏95:9).‏
‏+ ‏خلاصة‏ ‏هذه‏ ‏الآيات‏ ‏أن‏ ‏الله‏ ‏يتكلم‏, ‏ولكن‏ ‏من‏ ‏يسمعه؟‏!‏
‏+ ‏كلمة‏ ‏اسمعوا‏ ‏أو‏ ‏فعل‏ ‏السمع‏ ‏مرادف‏ ‏للطاعة‏, ‏ولأن‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏الفعل‏ ‏تكرر‏ ‏كثيرا‏ ‏في‏ ‏الكتاب‏ ‏المقدس‏, ‏تكون‏ ‏طاعة‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏هي‏ ‏من‏ ‏أولويات‏ ‏حياة‏ ‏الإنسان‏ ‏المسيحي‏.‏

أولا‏:‏ـ‏ ‏ما‏ ‏هو‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله؟

‏1- ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏في‏ ‏العهد‏ ‏القديم‏ ‏كان‏ ‏من‏ ‏أجل‏ ‏الإرشاد‏ ‏والتوجيه‏.‏
‏2- ‏كانت‏ ‏وسيلة‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏في‏ ‏العهد‏ ‏القديم‏ ‏الشريعة‏ ‏المكتوبة‏ ‏وأصوات‏ ‏الأنبياء‏.‏3- ‏في‏ ‏العهد‏ ‏الجديد‏ ‏استمر‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏يصل‏ ‏للبشر‏ ‏من‏ ‏خلال‏ ‏الأسفار‏ ‏المقدسة‏ ‏والكنيسة‏ ‏وآبائها‏, ‏لأن‏ ‏روح‏ ‏الله‏ ‏يعمل‏ ‏كل‏ ‏يوم‏.‏

ثانيا‏:‏ـ‏ ‏كيف‏ ‏نسمع‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله؟1- ‏طاعة‏ ‏إيمانية‏: ‏بالرغم‏ ‏من‏ ‏صعوبة‏ ‏الأحداث‏ ‏المحيطة‏ ‏بنا‏.. ‏هل‏ ‏كان‏ ‏أبونا‏ ‏إبراهيم‏ ‏يعرف‏ ‏المكان‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏طلب‏ ‏منه‏ ‏الله‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يذهب‏ ‏إليه؟‏! ‏أو‏ ‏لديه‏ ‏فكرة‏ ‏عن‏ ‏إمكانيات‏ ‏المكان؟‏! (‏تكوين‏ 12).‏

‏2- ‏انفتاح‏ ‏قلبي‏: ‏ليديا‏ ‏بائعة‏ ‏الأرجوان‏, ‏امرأة‏ ‏من‏ ‏قمة‏ ‏السلم‏ ‏الاجتماعي‏ ‏في‏ ‏مدينة‏ ‏فيلبي‏, ‏عندما‏ ‏استمعت‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏بولس‏ ‏الرسول‏ ‏فتحت‏ ‏قلبها‏ ‏فصارت‏ ‏أول‏ ‏مؤمنة‏ ‏في‏ ‏مدينة‏ ‏فيلبي‏ (‏أع‏16).‏
‏3- ‏عمل‏ ‏بالوصية‏: ‏الحياة‏ ‏المسيحية‏ ‏حياة‏ ‏عمل‏, ‏حياة‏ ‏فعل‏, ‏فالسيد‏ ‏المسيح‏ ‏علمنا‏ ‏العمل‏, ‏تعمل‏ ‏بما‏ ‏استجبت‏ ‏له‏ ‏إيمانيا‏ ‏وفتحت‏ ‏له‏ ‏قلبك‏.‏

ثالثا‏:‏ـ‏ ‏أسباب‏ ‏عدم‏ ‏سماع‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله

‏1- ‏غلظة‏ ‏القلب‏: ‏أو‏ ‏بمعني‏ ‏أصح‏ ‏قلبه‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏فيه‏ ‏محبة‏, ‏والمثال‏ ‏القريب‏ ‏هو‏ ‏مثال‏ ‏الشاب‏ ‏الغني‏. ‏قال‏: ‏ماذا‏ ‏أعمل‏ ‏لأرث‏ ‏الحياة‏ ‏الأبدية؟‏. ‏فنظر‏ ‏إليه‏ ‏يسوع‏ ‏وأحبه‏, ‏وقال‏ ‏له‏: ‏يعوزك‏ ‏شيء‏ ‏واحد‏: ‏اذهب‏ ‏وبع‏ ‏كل‏ ‏ما‏ ‏لك‏ ‏وأعط‏ ‏الفقراء‏, ‏فيكون‏ ‏لك‏ ‏كنز‏ ‏في‏ ‏السماء‏, ‏وتعال‏ ‏اتبعني‏ ‏حاملا‏ ‏الصليب‏ (‏مر‏10:21), ‏فيقول‏ ‏عنه‏ ‏الكتاب‏: ‏إنه‏ ‏مضي‏ ‏حزينا‏. ‏ولا‏ ‏نعرف‏ ‏كيف‏ ‏انتهت‏ ‏حياته‏!‏
‏2- ‏الكبرياء‏: ‏أحيانا‏ ‏الإنسان‏ ‏لا‏ ‏يري‏ ‏إلا‏ ‏ذاته‏ ‏ولا‏ ‏يسمع‏ ‏إلا‏ ‏ذاته‏.. ‏وأقرب‏ ‏مثال‏ ‏هم‏ ‏الكتبة‏ ‏والفريسيون‏ ‏الذين‏ ‏رأوا‏ ‏حقائق‏ ‏كما‏ ‏في‏ ‏قصة‏ ‏شفاء‏ ‏المولود‏ ‏أعمي‏ (‏يوحنا‏9) ‏ومع‏ ‏ذلك‏ ‏بدأوا‏ ‏يحققون‏ ‏معه‏.‏
‏3- ‏العناد‏: ‏أمر‏ ‏مدمر‏ ‏في‏ ‏حياة‏ ‏أي‏ ‏خادم‏ ‏أو‏ ‏بيت‏ ‏أو‏ ‏في‏ ‏كنيسة‏ ‏من‏ ‏الكنائس‏.‏
‏4- ‏الخوف‏: ‏مثال‏ ‏بيلاطس‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏عرضت‏ ‏عليه‏ ‏القضية‏, ‏وهو‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يستطع‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يحكم‏, ‏وغسل‏ ‏يديه‏, ‏ولكنه‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يستمع‏ ‏بسبب‏ ‏الخوف‏.‏

رابعا‏:‏ـ‏ ‏مواصفات‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله

‏1- ‏قريب‏ ‏جدا‏: ‏قد‏ ‏يتكلم‏ ‏إليك‏ ‏الله‏ ‏من‏ ‏قرب‏ ‏إنسان‏ ‏إليك‏, ‏أو‏ ‏من‏ ‏طفل‏ ‏صغير‏, ‏وربما‏ ‏من‏ ‏الشريك‏ ‏أو‏ ‏من‏ ‏الصديق‏. ‏هو‏ ‏فعلا‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الباب‏ ‏يقرع‏ ‏والباب‏ ‏هو‏ ‏باب‏ ‏القلب‏ ‏والقلب‏ ‏هو‏ ‏كيان‏ ‏الإنسان‏, ‏قريب‏ ‏جدا‏.. ‏الله‏ ‏يقرع‏ ‏وينتظر‏ ‏الاستجابة‏.. ‏لذلك‏ ‏عندما‏ ‏تكون‏ ‏حاضرا‏ ‏في‏ ‏قداس‏ ‏أو‏ ‏اجتماع‏, ‏كن‏ ‏في‏ ‏غاية‏ ‏الإصغاء‏ ‏فقد‏ ‏تأتي‏ ‏لك‏ ‏كلمات‏ ‏الله‏ ‏في‏ ‏رسالة‏.. ‏فلا‏ ‏تضيع‏ ‏الفرصة‏.‏
‏2- ‏يشتاق‏ ‏للإنسان‏: ‏كم‏ ‏من‏ ‏مرة‏ ‏قرع‏ ‏الله‏ ‏علي‏ ‏باب‏ ‏قلبك؟‏ ‏كم‏ ‏من‏ ‏مرة‏ ‏قرأت‏ ‏ووجدت‏ ‏رسالة؟‏ ‏أعلم‏ ‏أيها‏ ‏الحبيب‏ ‏أن‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏يشتاق‏ ‏إليك‏ ‏دائما‏.‏
‏+ ‏إن‏ ‏قرعات‏ ‏الله‏ ‏تختلف‏. ‏هناك‏ ‏قرعات‏ ‏رقيقة‏.‏
‏+ ‏وله‏ ‏أيضا‏ ‏قرعات‏ ‏شديدة‏ ‏كالتجارب‏ ‏وأحيانا‏ ‏المرض‏ ‏أو‏ ‏المشاكل‏ ‏والمتاعب‏, ‏كلها‏ ‏طرق‏ ‏لصوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏المشتاق‏ ‏إليك‏.‏
‏3- ‏مستعد‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يعمل‏ ‏معك‏ ‏جدا‏: ‏لن‏ ‏يعاتبك‏ ‏لتأخرك‏ ‏أو‏ ‏معرفتك‏ ‏له‏ ‏في‏ ‏آخر‏ ‏سنين‏ ‏عمرك‏ ‏أو‏ ‏بعد‏ ‏أن‏ ‏عشت‏ ‏الحياة‏ ‏طولا‏ ‏وعرضا‏.. ‏بل‏ ‏إن‏ ‏من‏ ‏حلاوة‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏أنه‏ ‏لا‏ ‏ينظر‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏الماضي‏, ‏هو‏ ‏يبدأ‏ ‏صفحة‏ ‏جديد‏ ‏كما‏ ‏نصلي‏ ‏كل‏ ‏يوم‏ ‏فلنبدأ‏ ‏بدءا‏ ‏حسنا‏.‏
‏+ ‏فصوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏يأتيك‏ ‏بحب‏, ‏يأتيك‏ ‏بشوق‏, ‏يأتيك‏ ‏باستعداد‏ ‏للعمل‏ ‏معك‏, ‏فلا‏ ‏تهمل‏ ‏صوت‏ ‏الله‏, ‏وأعط‏ ‏فرصة‏ ‏لصوت‏ ‏الله‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يتكلم‏.‏
تدرب‏ ‏وأنت‏ ‏تصلي‏ ‏أن‏ ‏تجعل‏ ‏في‏ ‏صلواتك‏ ‏فترات‏ ‏صمت‏, ‏لكي‏ ‏تعطي‏ ‏فرصة‏ ‏لله‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يتحدث‏ ‏إليك‏.‏