Trust. Can we trust in God? Is the Lord really faithful? While we may wish to have been alive when Jesus walked the earth or Jeremiah spoke fearlessly God's hard truth, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God's work. We can look at history and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We can launch out into the future with boldness because we know God is already there!
Day 2 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Baramhat, 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 Second Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat
Martyrdom of St.Macrobius (Makrawy) the Bishop
On this day the blessed Saint Anba Makrawy (Macrobius) the bishop was martyred. This father was of the nobles of Ashmun Grais (Ashmun Kharirat) and he was ordained bishop for Nikiu (Nakiyos). When persecution against Christians started, Youfanyous, the Governor, sent for the Saint to appear before him. Before he went to the Governor, he went before the Holy Altar, lifted up his hands and prayed. He hid the Altar accessories (Utensils) and the service vestments in a place in the altar. He prayed again to the Lord Christ to guard His church. Then he went with the messengers to the Governor who asked him about his name and his hometown. When the Governor realized that he was the Bishop of the city, he ordered him to be beaten and humiliated. They mixed lime with vinegar and poured it down his throat. Nevertheless, God guarded him and he was unharmed. Later, the Governor sent him to Armenius, the Governor of Alexandria, who casted him into prison. The Lord made, through his hands, many signs. Eucharistos, the son of Julius EL-Akfahsi, the writers of the biography of the martyrs, was paralytic. St.Macrobius prayed over him and God healed him through his prayers. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Julius home, administered the Holy Mysteries to them, and asked Julius to care for his body and to write his biography.
When Armenius heard what this Saint was performing signs and wonders, he ordered him to be tortured with different kinds of tortures: to be squeezed with the wheel, to cut off his members, to cast him to ferocious lions, to throw him into the sea, and to cast him into hot fire. The Lord strengthened him and all these tortures did not harm him. This Saint had a virgin sister called Mariam who served the church and two brothers named Yoannis and Isaac. They came to him while he was in prison and wept before him saying: "You have been a father to us, after our father; so how can you depart and leave us orphans?" He comforted, encouraged, consoled, and asked them to leave in peace. Finally, not wanting to see the Saint tortured any more, Julius EL-Akfahsi advised the governor saying: "Write the decree of this old man and get rid of him" The Governor listened to him and ordered his head to be cut off. Julius took his body and swathed it in wrappings embroidered in gold. He placed a golden cross on his chest and sent the body with his men in a ship to his Episcopal seat in Nikiu. The ship sailed until it arrived to the city of Ashmun Grais (Ashmun Kharirat). It stopped as if it had been tied with chains and all attempts to move it failed. While they were trying to do that, a voice came out of the body saying: "This is the place wherein God is pleased that my body shall rest." When they told the people of the city, they came out to the ship carrying palm branches. They carried the body with great honor to their city. He lived for one-hundred thirty one years; thirty of them as a priest, thirty nine as a bishop, and he completed his good strife and received the crown of life.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 65 : 2 - 3
Chapter 65
| 2 | O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. |
| 3 | Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. |
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 Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 15 : 3 - 10
Chapter 15
| 3 | So He spoke this parable to them, saying: |
| 4 | "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? |
| 5 | And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. |
| 6 | And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' |
| 7 | I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. |
| 8 | "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? |
| 9 | And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' |
| 10 | Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." |
And Glory be to God forever.
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 Galatians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Galatians 5 : 16 - end
Chapter 5
| 16 | I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. |
| 17 | For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. |
| 18 | But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. |
| 19 | Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, |
| 20 | idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, |
| 21 | envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |
| 22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, |
| 23 | gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. |
| 24 | And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. |
| 25 | If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. |
| 26 | Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. |
Galatians 6 : 1 - 2
Chapter 6
| 1 | Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. |
| 2 | Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. |
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. James .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
James 5 : 7 - 11
Chapter 5
| 7 | Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. |
| 8 | You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. |
| 9 | Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! |
| 10 | My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. |
| 11 | Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. |
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.
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 26 : 1 - 18
Chapter 26
| 1 | Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: |
| 2 | "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, |
| 3 | especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. |
| 4 | "My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. |
| 5 | They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. |
| 6 | And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. |
| 7 | To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. |
| 8 | Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? |
| 9 | "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. |
| 10 | This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. |
| 11 | And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. |
| 12 | "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, |
| 13 | at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. |
| 14 | And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' |
| 15 | So I said, "Who are You, Lord?' And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. |
| 16 | But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. |
| 17 | I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, |
| 18 | to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' |
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
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 143 : 1 - 2
Chapter 143
| 1 | Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. |
| 2 | Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. |
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.
Matthew 23 : 14 - 39
Chapter 23
| 14 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. |
| 15 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. |
| 16 | "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' |
| 17 | Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? |
| 18 | And, "Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' |
| 19 | Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? |
| 20 | Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. |
| 21 | He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. |
| 22 | And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. |
| 23 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. |
| 24 | Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! |
| 25 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. |
| 26 | Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. |
| 27 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. |
| 28 | Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. |
| 29 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, |
| 30 | and say, "If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' |
| 31 | "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. |
| 32 | Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. |
| 33 | Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? |
| 34 | Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, |
| 35 | that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. |
| 36 | Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. |
| 37 | "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! |
| 38 | See! Your house is left to you desolate; |
| 39 | for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"' |
وصف معلمنا بولس الرسول السيد المسيح له المجد بأنه “مذخر فيه جميع كنوز الحكمة والعلم”. ووصفه سليمان الحكيم بأنه أقنوم الحكمة، ووصفه يوحنا الرسول بأنه اللوغوس الذى “به كان كل شئ وبغيره لم يكن شئ مما كان”.
لقد أعطى رب المجد لأصفيائه وأنبيائه وحياً من روحه القدوس فكتبوا لنا الأسفار المقدس التى قال عنها المرنم فى المزمور “لكل كمال رأيت حداً أما وصيتك فواسعه جدا” (مز96:119) .
ولكن هل احتوى الكتاب المقدس حقائق العلم ؟ الواقع أن هذا ليس غرض الكتاب المقدس فهو ليس كتاباً علمياً
كتب العلم يكتبها البشر بحسب اجتهادهم وبما يناسب زمانهم ولمنفعتهم فى كل جيل، أما الكتاب المقدس فهو إعلان روحى هدفه بيان مشيئه الله نحو البشر، يتركز حول المخلص الفادى الذى تنبأت عن مجيئه أسفار العهد القديم ثم جاء وتجسد بالفعل فى ملء الزمان فبشر به كتاب العهد الجديد الذين عاينوه .
إذن هدف الكتاب المقدس هو خلاص البشريه، وأن يُظهر لنا محبة الله للبشر التى وصلت إلى “بذل ابنه الوحيد لكى لا يهلك كل من يؤمن به بل تكون له الحياه الأبديه” (يو16:3).
من ذلك ما كتبه لنا سليمان الحكيم فى سفر الجامعه .”كل الأنهار تجرى إلى البحر، والبحر ليس بملآن .إلى المكان الذى جرت منه الأنهار إلى هناك تذهب راجعة” (جا7:1) عباره أدبية جميلة فى بساطتها لكنها تخبرنا عن حقيقة اكتشفها العلماء فى القرن السادس عشر، أى بعد سليمان الحكيم بخمسة وعشرين قرناً، وهى الدوره المائية!!
ليس من أهداف الكتاب المقدس أن يشرح لنا تلك الدورة، فهو أمر بحثه العلماء وشرحوه، ولكنها شذره عرفها سليمان بوحى الروح القدس فسجلها لنا بأسلوبه الجميل.نفس الأمر حدث مع أشعياء النبى الذى وصف الله بأنه: “الجالس على كرة الأرض وسكانها كالجندب . الذى ينشر السماوات كسرادق، ويبسطها كخيمه للسكن “(اش22:40) فمن أخبر أشعياء النبى بأن الأرض كرة وهو الأمر الذى إكتشفه الإغريق بعد أشعياء النبى بأربعه قرون ولم يؤكده العلم إلا فى القرن الخامس عشر على يد العالم البولندى كوبرنيك؟ هى كلمه أوحاها روح الله لأشعياء لكى نوقن انه “لم تأتى نبوه قط بمشيئه إنسان بل تكلم أناس الله القديسون مسوقين من الروح القدس”.
وهكذا ايضا ما قاله أيوب الصديق عن الله: “يمد الشمال على الخلاء، ويعلق الأرض على لا شئ”(أى7:26) وتعبيرات “الخلاء أولا شئ” تشير إلى ما نسميه اليوم بلغتنا العلميه “الفضاء”، فهل كان أيوب الصديق يعلم شيئا عن الفضاء؟! أم أنه قبس من روح الله سجله لنا بأسلوبه الشعرى الجميل ؟
بل ان الله ذاته يسأل أيوب فى أواخر السفر قائلاً له:”أدخلت إلى خزائن الثلج، أم أبصرت مخازن البرد؟” (أى22:38) فما هي خزائن الثلج هذه؟ لقد قرأها أحد العلماء المعاصرين فذهب ذهنه إلى كتل الثلج الضخمه التى تشكل القارتين القطبيتين الشمالية والجنوبية, وهى أماكن لم تراها عين بشر قبل القرن التاسع عشر ونسمع عنها اليوم أنها بدأت تنصهر نتيجه ما يعرف بالاحتباس الحرارى، الناتج عن التزايد المفرط فى استهلاك مصادر الطاقة.
وفى بداية سفر التكوين ضمن أيام الخليقه السته التى هى عصور لا ندرى طولها “لأن يوما واحدا عند الرب كألف سنه وألف سنه كيوم واحد” (2بط8:3)
يقول الوحى المقدس عن اليوم الخامس “لتفض المياه زحافات ذات نفس حيه ,وليطر طير فوقالأرض على وجه جلد السماء ,فخلق الله التنانين العظام وكل ذوات الانفس الحيه الدبابه التى فاضت