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DAILY VERSE
Fear of man will prove to be a snare , but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. —Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Jesus told us not to fear other human opponents (Lk. 12:4-5). When we try to please others, when we fear what others may say or do to us, we place ourselves in a position of great vulnerability. Our lives no longer remain our own. We become captive to what others think, want, or threaten. We are only to trust the LORD and reverence him. In God is our safety, both now, and forevermore.

DAILY SYNEXARIUM
6 Baramhat 1739

Day 6 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 Sixth Day of the Blessed Month of Baramhat

Martyrdom of St.Dioscorus

      On this day, St. Dioscorus was martyred at the time of the Arabs. He was from Alexandria, and was brought up as Christian but for unexplained reason he left the faith of his fathers and adopted the faith of the Arabs. He had a married sister in the city of Fayyum. When she knew what her brother did, she sent a letter to him saying: "I would have preferred that the news had come to me telling me that you had died a Christian, and I would have rejoiced, than that the news that reached me, that you are not dead, and you have abandoned the Faith of Christ your God." At the end she said: "Know that this letter marks the end of the relation between you and me. From this time on do not show me your face and do not write me." When he had read his sister's letter, he wept bitterly, and he smote his face and tore his beard. Then he rose in haste and girded up his loins, prayed entreating God fervently and made the sign of the cross over himself. He went out of his house and wandered about in the city. When the Muslims saw him in this condition, they brought him to the Governor who asked him: "You have left Christianity and joined our religion, so what happened to you?" He replied saying "I have been born Christian, and I shall die Christian, and I do not know except this." The Governor threatened him, beat him and inflicted great pain upon him and when he did not change his opinion, he shut him up in prison. The Governor sent to the Khalifa of Egypt presenting his case to him. The Khalifa ordered the governor to offer him leaving the faith of the Christians and entering the faith of the Khalifa, if he obeyed to give him much money and to reward him, otherwise to burn him. The Governor brought him out of jail and asked him to deny his faith but he refused saying: "I told you before that I have been born Christian, and I shall die Christian." He ordered him to be burnt. They dug a large pit outside the city, and they filled it with wood and they set fire in it. When the flames of the fire mounted up to a great height, they casted him in the pit after they had beaten him sorely and gashed his body with knives. He received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of heaven.

May His prayers be with us all. Amen.

Departure of St.Theodotus, the Bishop

      On this day also is the commemoration of the departure of St. Theodsius the confessor, Bishop of Corinth which on the island of Cyprus. Julius, the Governor of this island, who had been appointed by Diocletian, had him brought before him. He demanded from him to deny the Lord Christ and to raise incense to the idols. When he did not obey his orders, he removed off the Saint's garments and lashed him painfully with whips made of buffalo hide, hanged him from his arms, and combed his body with steel combs inflicting him with gashes all over his body. Then they tied to his legs long iron bands, and dragged him to prison. He remained in prison until God perished Diocletian and Constantine the righteous Emperor reigned, who released him among all those who had been jailed for the sake of faith. St.Theodsius returned to his Episcopal Seat, and tended his flock, that he was entrusted with, well until he departed in peace.

May his intercession be with us and Glory be to God for ever. Amen.

 

DAILY KATEMAROS
Wed, 15st Mar. 2023

Matins

 


Exodus 7 : 14 - 8 : 19 Joel 2 : 28 - 32 Job 1 : 1 - 22 Isaiah 26 : 21 - 27 : 9

 

Exodus 7 : 14 - 8 : 19

Chapter 7

14 So the LORD said to Moses: "Pharaoh's heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go.
15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river's bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand.
16 And you shall say to him, "The LORD God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness"; but indeed, until now you would not hear!
17 Thus says the LORD: "By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.
18 And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.'
19 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, "Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone."'
20 And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21 The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.
23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this.
24 So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river.
25 And seven days passed after the LORD had struck the river.

Chapter 8

1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, "Thus says the LORD: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs.
3 So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls.
4 And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants.'
5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt."'
6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat the LORD that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD."
9 And Moses said to Pharaoh, "Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only."
10 So he said, "Tomorrow." And he said, "Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.
11 And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only."
12 Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the LORD concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh.
13 So the LORD did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields.
14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.
16 So the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt."'
17 And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18 Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast.
19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.

 

 

Joel 2 : 28 - 32

Chapter 2

28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

 

 

Job 1 : 1 - 22

Chapter 1

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;
14 and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away--indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

 

 

Isaiah 26 : 21 - 27 : 9

Chapter 26

21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.

Chapter 27

1 In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.
2 In that day sing to her, "A vineyard of red wine!
3 I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day.
4 Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns Against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
5 Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me."
6 Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, And fill the face of the world with fruit.
7 Has He struck Israel as He struck those who struck him? Or has He been slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by Him?
8 In measure, by sending it away, You contended with it. He removes it by His rough wind In the day of the east wind.
9 Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be covered; And this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: When he makes all the stones of the altar Like chalkstones that are beaten to dust, Wooden images and incense altars shall not stand.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Matins

Matins Psalm

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

Psalms 18 : 37,40

Chapter 18

37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.
40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.

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 14 : 16 - 24

Chapter 14

16 Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,
17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, "Come, for all things are now ready.'
18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.'
19 And another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.'
20 Still another said, "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'
21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.'
22 And the servant said, "Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.'
23 Then the master said to the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper."'

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 Ephesians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.

Ephesians 4 : 17 - 33

Chapter 4

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

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 3 : 13 - 4 : 4

Chapter 3

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Chapter 4

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

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 11 : 26 - 12 : 2

Chapter 11

26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Chapter 12

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

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 18 : 17 - 18

Chapter 18

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support.


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.

Mark 4 : 35 - 41

Chapter 4

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"


And Glory be to God forever. 

 

DAILY CONTEMPLATION
الصوم‏ ‏يفيد‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏كما‏ ‏يفيد‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏أيضا

إن‏ ‏دانيال‏ ‏والثلاثة‏ ‏فتية‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يأكلوا‏ ‏لحما‏ ‏من‏ ‏مائدة‏ ‏الملك‏, ‏واكتفوا‏ ‏بأكل‏ ‏البقول‏ ‏فصارت‏ ‏صحتهم‏ ‏أفضل‏ ‏من‏ ‏غيرهم‏ (‏دا‏ 1:15).‏
والآباء‏ ‏السواح‏, ‏وآباء‏ ‏الرهبنة‏ ‏الكبار‏, ‏كانوا‏ ‏متشددين‏ ‏جدا‏ ‏في‏ ‏صومهم‏, ‏ولم‏ ‏نسمع‏ ‏أبدا‏ ‏أن‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏أضعف‏ ‏صحتهم‏, ‏بل‏ ‏كانت‏ ‏قوية‏ ‏حتي‏ ‏في‏ ‏سن‏ ‏الشيخوخة‏.‏وأبونا‏ ‏آدم‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يقل‏ ‏أحد‏ ‏إنه‏ ‏مرض‏ ‏وضعف‏ ‏بسبب‏ ‏الطعام‏ ‏النباتي‏, ‏وكذلك‏ ‏أمنا‏ ‏حواء‏, ‏وكل‏ ‏الآباء‏ ‏قبل‏ ‏فلك‏ ‏نوح‏… ‏فاطمأنوا‏ ‏إذن‏ ‏علي‏ ‏صحتكم‏ ‏الجسدية‏…‏

الذي‏ ‏يتعب‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏هو‏ ‏الصوم‏, ‏بل‏ ‏الأكل‏.‏
تتعب‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏كثرة‏ ‏الأكل‏, ‏والتخمة‏, ‏وعدم‏ ‏الضوابط‏ ‏في‏ ‏الطعام‏, ‏وكثرة‏ ‏الإخلاط‏ ‏غير‏ ‏المتجانس‏ ‏في‏ ‏الطعام‏ ‏ودخول‏ ‏أكل‏ ‏جديد‏ ‏علي‏ ‏أكل‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يهضم‏ ‏داخل‏ ‏الجسد‏, ‏كما‏ ‏يتعب‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏أيضا‏ ‏الطاقات‏ ‏الحرارية‏ ‏الزائدة‏ ‏التي‏ ‏تأتي‏ ‏من‏ ‏أغذية‏ ‏فوق‏ ‏حاجة‏ ‏الإنسان‏, ‏وما‏ ‏أكثر‏ ‏الأمراض‏ ‏التي‏ ‏سببها‏ ‏الأكل‏.‏
لذلك‏ ‏يجب‏ ‏أن‏ ‏تتحرروا‏ ‏من‏ ‏فكرة‏ ‏أن‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏يتعب‏ ‏الصحة‏.‏
إنها‏ ‏فكرة‏ ‏خاطئة‏, ‏ربما‏ ‏نبتت‏ ‏أولا‏ ‏من‏ ‏حنو‏ ‏الأمهات‏ ‏الزائد‏ ‏علي‏ ‏صحة‏ ‏أبنائهن‏, ‏حينما‏ ‏كانت‏ ‏الأم‏ ‏تفرح‏ ‏إذ‏ ‏تري‏ ‏ابنها‏ ‏سمينا‏ ‏وممتلئ‏ ‏الجسم‏, ‏وتظن‏ ‏أن‏ ‏هذه‏ ‏هي‏ ‏الصحة‏! ‏بينما‏ ‏قد‏ ‏يكون‏ ‏السمين‏ ‏أضعف‏ ‏صحة‏ ‏من‏ ‏الرفيع‏.‏
حنو‏ ‏الأمهات‏ ‏الخاطئ‏ ‏كان‏ ‏يمنع‏ ‏الأبناء‏ ‏من‏ ‏الصوم‏, ‏أو‏ ‏كان‏ ‏يخيفهم‏ ‏من‏ ‏الصوم‏, ‏وتقول‏ ‏إنه‏ ‏حنو‏ ‏خاطئ‏, ‏لأنه‏ ‏كان‏ ‏يهتم‏ ‏بروح‏ ‏الابن‏ ‏كما‏ ‏يهتم‏ ‏بجسده‏, ‏كما‏ ‏لو‏ ‏كانت‏ ‏أولئك‏ ‏الأمهات‏ ‏أمهات‏ ‏لأجساد‏ ‏أبنائهن‏ ‏فقط‏, ‏وفي‏ ‏إشفاق‏ ‏الأم‏ ‏علي‏ ‏جسد‏ ‏ابنها‏ ‏تهتم‏ ‏بغذاء‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏دون‏ ‏أن‏ ‏تلتفت‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏غذاء‏ ‏روحه‏!‏
ومع‏ ‏ذلك‏ ‏سمعنا‏ ‏عن‏ ‏أطفال‏ ‏قديسين‏ ‏كانوا‏ ‏يصومون‏ ‏ولعل‏ ‏من‏ ‏أمثلة‏ ‏هؤلاء‏ ‏القديس‏ ‏مرقس‏ ‏المتوحد‏ ‏بجبل‏ ‏أنطونيوس‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏بدأ‏ ‏صومه‏ ‏منذ‏ ‏طفولته‏ ‏المبكرة‏, ‏واستمر‏ ‏معه‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏كمنهج‏ ‏حياة‏.‏
وكذلك‏ ‏القديس‏ ‏الأنبا‏ ‏شنودة‏ ‏رئيس‏ ‏المتوحدين‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏كان‏ ‏في‏ ‏طفولته‏ ‏يعطي‏ ‏طعامه‏ ‏للرعاة‏, ‏ويظل‏ ‏منتصبا‏ ‏في‏ ‏الصلاة‏ ‏وهو‏ ‏صائم‏ ‏حتي‏ ‏الغروب‏ ‏وهو‏ ‏بعد‏ ‏في‏ ‏التاسعة‏ ‏من‏ ‏عمره‏.كان‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏للكل‏ ‏كبارا‏ ‏وصغارا‏, ‏منحهم‏ ‏جميعا‏ ‏صحة‏ ‏وقوة‏ ‏وقد‏ ‏خلص‏ ‏أجسادهم‏ ‏من‏ ‏الدهن‏ ‏والماء‏ ‏الزائدين‏.‏

وهكذا‏ ‏حفظت‏ ‏لنا‏ ‏كثير‏ ‏من‏ ‏أجساد‏ ‏القديسين‏ ‏دون‏ ‏أن‏ ‏تتعفن‏, ‏بسبب‏ ‏البركة‏ ‏التي‏ ‏حفظ‏ ‏بها‏ ‏الرب‏ ‏هذه‏ ‏الأجساد‏ ‏مكافأة‏ ‏علي‏ ‏قداستها‏, ‏هذا‏ ‏من‏ ‏جهة‏, ‏ومن‏ ‏جهة‏ ‏أخري‏ ‏لأن‏ ‏هذه‏ ‏الأجساد‏ ‏كانت‏ ‏بعيدة‏ ‏عن‏ ‏أسباب‏ ‏التعفن‏, ‏بسبب‏ ‏قلة‏ ‏ما‏ ‏فيها‏ ‏من‏ ‏رطوبة‏ ‏ومن‏ ‏دهن‏.‏
قد‏ ‏تحفظ‏ ‏اللحوم‏ ‏فترة‏ ‏طويلة‏ ‏بلا‏ ‏تعفن‏, ‏إذا‏ ‏شوحوها‏ (‏قددوها‏) ‏أي‏ ‏عرضوها‏ ‏للحرارة‏ ‏التي‏ ‏تطرد‏ ‏ما‏ ‏فيها‏ ‏من‏ ‏ماءوتذيب‏ ‏ما‏ ‏فيها‏ ‏من‏ ‏دهن‏, ‏فتصبح‏ ‏في‏ ‏جفاف‏ ‏يساعد‏ ‏علي‏ ‏حفظها‏, ‏إلي‏ ‏حد‏ ‏ما‏, ‏هكذا‏ ‏كانت‏ ‏أجساد‏ ‏القديسين‏ ‏بالصوم‏, ‏بلا‏ ‏دهن‏, ‏بلا‏ ‏ماء‏ ‏زائد‏, ‏فلم‏ ‏يجد‏ ‏التلف‏ ‏طريقا‏ ‏إليها‏…‏
ولكن‏ ‏لماذا‏ ‏نركز‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الجسد؟‏ ‏هل‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏فضيلة‏ ‏للجسد‏ ‏فقط؟
الصوم‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏مجرد‏ ‏فضيلة‏ ‏للجسد
الصوم‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏مجرد‏ ‏فضيلة‏ ‏للجسد‏ ‏بعيدا‏ ‏عن‏ ‏الروح‏, ‏فكل‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏لا‏ ‏تشترك‏ ‏فيه‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏لا‏ ‏يعتبر‏ ‏فضيلة‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الإطلاق‏, ‏فما‏ ‏هو‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏في‏ ‏الصوم؟‏ ‏وما‏ ‏هو‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏الروح؟
الصوم‏ ‏الحقيقي‏ ‏هو‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏روحي‏ ‏داخل‏ ‏القلب‏ ‏أولا‏وعمل‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏في‏ ‏الصوم‏. ‏هو‏ ‏تمهيد‏ ‏لعمل‏ ‏الروح‏. ‏أو‏ ‏تعبير‏ ‏عن‏ ‏مشاعر‏ ‏الروح‏.‏

الروح‏ ‏تسمو‏ ‏فوق‏ ‏مستوي‏ ‏المادة‏ ‏والطعام‏, ‏وفوق‏ ‏مستوي‏ ‏الجسد‏, ‏فتقود‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏معها‏ ‏في‏ ‏موكب‏ ‏نصرتها‏, ‏وفي‏ ‏رغباتها‏ ‏الروحية‏. ‏ويعبر‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏عن‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏بممارسة‏ ‏الصوم‏.‏
إن‏ ‏قصرنا‏ ‏تعريفنا‏ ‏للصوم‏ ‏علي‏ ‏إنه‏ ‏إذلال‏ ‏للجسد‏ ‏بالجوع‏ ‏والامتناع‏ ‏عما‏ ‏يشتهيه‏, ‏نكون‏ ‏قد‏ ‏أخذنا‏ ‏من‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏سلبياته‏, ‏وتركنا‏ ‏عمله‏ ‏الإيجابي‏ ‏الروحي‏.‏
الصوم‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏جوعا‏ ‏للجسد‏, ‏بل‏ ‏هو‏ ‏غذاء‏ ‏للروح‏.‏
ليس‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏تعذيبا‏ ‏للجسد‏. ‏أو‏ ‏استشهادا‏ ‏للجسد‏. ‏أو‏ ‏صليبا‏ ‏له‏. ‏كما‏ ‏يظن‏ ‏البعض‏, ‏إنما‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏هو‏ ‏تسامي‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏ليصل‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏المستوي‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏يتعاون‏ ‏فيه‏ ‏مع‏ ‏الروح‏. ‏ونحن‏ ‏في‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏لا‏ ‏نقصد‏ ‏أن‏ ‏نعذب‏ ‏الجسد‏. ‏إنما‏ ‏نقصد‏ ‏ألا‏ ‏نسلك‏ ‏حسب‏ ‏الجسد‏. ‏فيكون‏ ‏الصائم‏ ‏إنسانا‏ ‏روحيا‏ ‏وليس‏ ‏إنسانا‏ ‏جسدانيا‏.‏
الصوم‏ ‏هو‏ ‏روح‏ ‏زاهدة‏, ‏تشرك‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏معها‏ ‏في‏ ‏الزهد‏.‏
والصوم‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏هو‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏الجائع‏, ‏بل‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏الزاهد‏ ‏وليس‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏هو‏ ‏جوع‏ ‏الجسد‏, ‏إنما‏ ‏بالأكثر‏ ‏هو‏ ‏تسامي‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏وطهارة‏ ‏الجسد‏, ‏ليس‏ ‏هو‏ ‏حالة‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏يجوع‏ ‏ويشتهي‏ ‏أن‏ ‏يأكل‏. ‏بل‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏يتخلص‏ ‏من‏ ‏شهوة‏ ‏الأكل‏, ‏ويفقد‏ ‏الأكل‏ ‏قيمته‏ ‏في‏ ‏نظره‏…‏
الصوم‏ ‏فترة‏ ‏ترتفع‏ ‏فيها‏ ‏الروح‏. ‏وتجذب‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏معها‏.‏
تخلصه‏ ‏من‏ ‏أحماله‏ ‏وأثقاله‏. ‏وتجذبه‏ ‏معها‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏فوق‏, ‏لكي‏ ‏يعمل‏ ‏معها‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏الرب‏ ‏بلا‏ ‏عائق‏. ‏والجسد‏ ‏الروحي‏ ‏يكون‏ ‏سعيدا‏ ‏بهذا‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏هو‏ ‏فترة‏ ‏روحية‏. ‏يقضيها‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏والروح‏ ‏معا‏ ‏في‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏روحي‏, ‏يشترك‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏مع‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏في‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏واحد‏ ‏هو‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏يشترك‏ ‏معها‏ ‏في‏ ‏الصلاة‏ ‏والتآمل‏ ‏والتسبيح‏ ‏والعشرة‏ ‏الإلهية‏.‏
نصلي‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏فقط‏ ‏بجسد‏ ‏صائم‏, ‏إنما‏ ‏أيضا‏ ‏بنفس‏ ‏صائمة‏.‏
بفكر‏ ‏صائم‏ ‏وقلب‏ ‏صائم‏ ‏عن‏ ‏الشهوات‏ ‏والرغبات‏. ‏وبروح‏ ‏صائمة‏ ‏عن‏ ‏المحبة‏ ‏العالم‏, ‏فهي‏ ‏ميتة‏ ‏عنه‏. ‏وكلها‏ ‏حياة‏ ‏مع‏ ‏الله‏ ‏تتغذي‏ ‏به‏ ‏وبمحبته‏.‏
الصوم‏ ‏بهذا‏ ‏الشكل‏ ‏هو‏ ‏الوسيلة‏ ‏الصالحة‏ ‏للعمل‏ ‏الروحي‏, ‏هو‏ ‏الجو‏ ‏الروحي‏ ‏الذي‏ ‏يحيا‏ ‏فيه‏ ‏الإنسان‏ ‏جميعه‏, ‏بقلبه‏ ‏ونفسه‏ ‏وروحه‏ ‏وفكره‏ ‏وحواسه‏ ‏وعواطفه‏.‏
الصوم‏ ‏هو‏ ‏تعبير‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏عن‏ ‏زهده‏ ‏في‏ ‏المادة‏ ‏والماديات‏. ‏واشتياقه‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏الحياة‏ ‏مع‏ ‏الله‏. ‏وهذا‏ ‏الزهد‏ ‏دليل‏ ‏علي‏ ‏اشتراك‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏في‏ ‏عمل‏ ‏الروح‏, ‏وفي‏ ‏صفاتها‏ ‏الروحية‏. ‏وبه‏ ‏يصبح‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏روحيا‏ ‏في‏ ‏منهجه‏, ‏وتكون‏ ‏له‏ ‏صورة‏ ‏الروح‏.‏
في‏ ‏الصوم‏ ‏لا‏ ‏يهتم‏ ‏الإنسان‏ ‏بما‏ ‏للجسد‏, ‏لا‏ ‏تهتم‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏بهذا‏, ‏ولا‏ ‏يهتم‏ ‏الجسد‏ ‏به‏ ‏أيضا‏ ‏في‏ ‏حالته‏ ‏الروحية‏.‏
لا‏ ‏تهتموا‏ ‏بما‏ ‏للجسد
في‏ ‏حديث‏ ‏الرب‏ ‏عن‏ ‏الغذاء‏ ‏الروحي‏, ‏نسمعه‏ ‏يقول‏:‏
اعملوا‏ ‏لا‏ ‏للطعام‏ ‏البائد‏, ‏بل‏ ‏للطعام‏ ‏الباقي‏ ‏للحياة‏ ‏الأبدية‏ (‏يو‏ 6:27) ‏وبعد‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏يحدثهم‏ ‏عن‏ ‏الخبز‏ ‏النازل‏ ‏من‏ ‏السماء‏. ‏الخبز‏ ‏الحقيقي‏, ‏خبر‏ ‏الله‏, ‏خبز‏ ‏الحياة‏ (‏يو‏ 6: 32‏ـ‏35). ‏إنه‏ ‏هنا‏ ‏يوجه‏ ‏إلي‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏وغذائها‏, ‏ويقود‏ ‏تفكيرنا‏ ‏في‏ ‏اتجاه‏ ‏روحي‏, ‏حتي‏ ‏لا‏ ‏ننشغل‏ ‏بالجسد‏ ‏وطعامه‏.‏
وحينما‏ ‏ذكر‏ ‏عبارة‏ ‏ليس‏ ‏بالخبز‏ ‏وحده‏ ‏يحيا‏ ‏الإنسان‏ (‏مت‏ 4:4). ‏إنما‏ ‏بهذا‏ ‏أنه‏ ‏ينبغي‏ ‏للإنسان‏ ‏ألا‏ ‏يحيا‏ ‏جسدنيا‏ ‏يعتمد‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الخبز‏ ‏كطعام‏ ‏له‏. ‏ناسيا‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏وطعامها‏ ‏وعن‏ ‏طعام‏ ‏الروح‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏قال‏ ‏لتلاميذه‏ ‏لي‏ ‏طعام‏ ‏لأكل‏ ‏لستم‏ ‏تعرفونه‏ (‏يو‏4:32). ‏وهنا‏ ‏يخطر‏ ‏علي‏ ‏فكرنا‏ ‏سؤال‏ ‏هو‏:‏
هل‏ ‏كان‏ ‏المسيح‏ ‏علي‏ ‏الجبل‏ ‏صائما‏ ‏أم‏ ‏يتغذي؟
والجواب‏ ‏هو‏: ‏كان‏ ‏صائما‏, ‏وكان‏ ‏أيضا‏ ‏يتغذي‏.‏
كان‏ ‏صائما‏ ‏من‏ ‏جهة‏ ‏الجسد‏, ‏وكان‏ ‏يتغذي‏ ‏من‏ ‏جهة‏ ‏الروح‏.‏