It's all very simple. God is love. He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.
Day 21 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Amshir, 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-First Day of the Blessed Month of Amshir
Commemoration of the Virgin St.Mary
We celebrate on this day the commemoration of the pure Lady St. Mary the Virgin, the Mother of God, the Word, through whom was the salvation of Adam and his offspring.
May her intercession be for us all. Amen.
Martyrdom of St.Onesimus, the Disciple of St.Paul
On this day also St. Onesimus, the disciple of St. Paul, was martyred. This saint was a slave for a man from Rome called Philemon who believed at the hands of St.Paul, when he heard his preaching in Rome. Philemon departed from Rome on a business trip and took with him Onesimus among others of his servants. There the devil enticed Onesimus, so he stole money from his master and fled to Rome. According to the Divine Will, Onesimus attended the preaching of St. Paul, which he kept in his heart. He believed at the hand of St. Paul and his heart was filled with the grace and the fear of God. He remembered what he stole from his master and from others and since he did not have anything left from the stolen money to return to its rightful owners, he was sorrowful and told St.Paul about that. St. Paul comforted him and wrote an epistle to Onesimus' master, Philemon, informing him in it, that Onesimus became a follower of Christ saying, "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains." St. Paul asked him to treat him gently and not to mind what he did but to consider what he lost as owed by the apostle. When Onesimus took the epistle to his master Philemon, he was pleased by his faith and repentance and treated him as the apostle commanded. Furthermore, he offered him more money but St. Onesimus refused saying, "I am rich with Christ." Then he bid Philemon farewell and returned to Rome. St. Onesimus continued to serve St. Paul until his martyrdom and deserved to be ordained a priest. After the martyrdom of St. Paul, the governor of Rome seized him and exiled him to one of the islands. He remained there preaching and baptizing the people of the island. When the governor came to the island, he found him guiding the people to the belief in the Lord Christ. He was beaten severely and his legs were broken. He departed in peace.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Gabriel, the Fifty-Seventh Pope of Alexandria
On this day also of the year 911 A.D., the great father St. Gabriel, 57th Pope of Alexandria, departed. This saint became a monk at a young age, practicing many worships. He loved solitary life and wept much while praying, asking the Lord to save him from the snares of the devil. When Pope Mikhael, 56th Pope, departed, they chose this father to be the Pope in his place. He was ordained in the year 900 A.D. against his will. He cared for the church affairs well, and the duties of the patriarchate did not prevent him from his worship and asceticism. He spent most of his days in the wilderness and whenever he had some affairs to take care of in Cairo or Alexandria, he would leave and then return back to the wilderness. He fought against the flesh and the devil by increasing fasting, watching, prayers and humility. He used to wake up in the night, put on a ragged garment, take a metal shovel and go around the bathrooms of the monks' cells, washing and cleaning them. He did the same for many years until the Lord looked upon his humility and humble heart, so He relieved his pains and gave him the grace of victory over sin and the body. This father was a worshipper, fighter and a preacher for 11 years, then he departed in peace.
May His prayers be with us. Amen.
Departure of St.Zacharias, Bishop of Sakha
On this day also St. Zacharias, Bishop of Sakha, departed. He was the son of a scribe called John who left his job and was chosen to be a priest. His son Zacharias was raised on studying literary and religious subjects. When he grew up, El-Wazeer appointed him as a scribe in his court. Afterward he agreed with a friend called Ptolemy who was the prefect of the town of Sakha, to leave their work and go to the wilderness to become monks. That coincided with the coming of a monk from the monastery of St. John the Short, so they decided to go with him to the monastery. When the ruler (El-Wazeer) knew about that, he prevented them from going to the monastery. A few days later, they saw a vision as if someone was asking them, "Why did you not fulfill your vow?" Immediately, they left in secret, walking to the wilderness, without knowing their way. They met on their way, by the will of God, a monk who took them to the monastery of St. John the Short (Colobos). When their friends knew about that, they took a letter from the Governor to bring them back, but the Lord defeated their counsel. As for Zacharias and his friend, they put on the garb of the monks and exerted themselves in many worships. That was during the time of the saints Abba Gawargah and Abba Abraham who were the best guides for them. When the Bishop of Sakha departed, the people wrote to the father, the Patriarch, asking for Zacharias to be their bishop. The Patriarch brought him and ordained him against his will. At the time of the ordination, when the Pope was about to put his hands on Zacharias' head, a light shined in the church and his face appeared as a bright star. When he arrived to his diocese, the people rejoiced and went out to meet him with great honor. The church was illumined with his teachings. St. Zacharias was eloquent and filled with grace and he wrote many articles, sermons and discourses. He stayed on his chair for 30 years, then departed in peace.
May His prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.
Readings for Tuesday of second week of Great Lent
Matins
Job 19 : 1 - 27 Isaiah 5 : 7 - 16
Job 19 : 1 - 27
Chapter 19
| 1 | Then Job answered and said: |
| 2 | "How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words? |
| 3 | These ten times you have reproached me; You are not ashamed that you have wronged me. |
| 4 | And if indeed I have erred, My error remains with me. |
| 5 | If indeed you exalt yourselves against me, And plead my disgrace against me, |
| 6 | Know then that God has wronged me, And has surrounded me with His net. |
| 7 | "If I cry out concerning wrong, I am not heard. If I cry aloud, there is no justice. |
| 8 | He has fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass; And He has set darkness in my paths. |
| 9 | He has stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. |
| 10 | He breaks me down on every side, And I am gone; My hope He has uprooted like a tree. |
| 11 | He has also kindled His wrath against me, And He counts me as one of His enemies. |
| 12 | His troops come together And build up their road against me; They encamp all around my tent. |
| 13 | "He has removed my brothers far from me, And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. |
| 14 | My relatives have failed, And my close friends have forgotten me. |
| 15 | Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants, Count me as a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. |
| 16 | I call my servant, but he gives no answer; I beg him with my mouth. |
| 17 | My breath is offensive to my wife, And I am repulsive to the children of my own body. |
| 18 | Even young children despise me; I arise, and they speak against me. |
| 19 | All my close friends abhor me, And those whom I love have turned against me. |
| 20 | My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh, And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. |
| 21 | "Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me! |
| 22 | Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisfied with my flesh? |
| 23 | "Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! |
| 24 | That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! |
| 25 | For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; |
| 26 | And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, |
| 27 | Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! |
Isaiah 5 : 7 - 16
Chapter 5
| 7 | For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help. |
| 8 | Woe to those who join house to house; They add field to field, Till there is no place Where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land! |
| 9 | In my hearing the LORD of hosts said, "Truly, many houses shall be desolate, Great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant. |
| 10 | For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, And a homer of seed shall yield one ephah." |
| 11 | Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! |
| 12 | The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands. |
| 13 | Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst. |
| 14 | Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself And opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it. |
| 15 | People shall be brought down, Each man shall be humbled, And the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled. |
| 16 | But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. |
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 41 : 4,13
Chapter 41
| 4 | I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You." |
| 13 | Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. |
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 12 : 22 - 31
Chapter 12
| 22 | Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. |
| 23 | Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. |
| 24 | Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? |
| 25 | And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? |
| 26 | If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? |
| 27 | Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. |
| 28 | If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? |
| 29 | "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. |
| 30 | For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. |
| 31 | But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. |
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 Corinthians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
2 Corinthians 9 : 6 - 15
Chapter 9
| 6 | But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. |
| 7 | So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 8 | And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. |
| 9 | As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." |
| 10 | Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, |
| 11 | while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. |
| 12 | For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, |
| 13 | while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, |
| 14 | and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. |
| 15 | Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! |
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 1 : 1 - 12
Chapter 1
| 1 | James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. |
| 2 | My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, |
| 3 | knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. |
| 4 | But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. |
| 5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. |
| 6 | But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. |
| 7 | For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; |
| 8 | he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. |
| 9 | Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, |
| 10 | but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. |
| 11 | For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. |
| 12 | Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. |
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 4 : 13 - 22
Chapter 4
| 13 | Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. |
| 14 | And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. |
| 15 | But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, |
| 16 | saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. |
| 17 | But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." |
| 18 | So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. |
| 19 | But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. |
| 20 | For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." |
| 21 | So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. |
| 22 | For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. |
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 41 : 1 - 1
Chapter 41
| 1 | Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. |
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 10 : 17 - 27
Chapter 10
| 17 | Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" |
| 18 | So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. |
| 19 | You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery,'"Do not murder,'"Do not steal,'"Do not bear false witness,'"Do not defraud,'"Honor your father and your mother."' |
| 20 | And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." |
| 21 | Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." |
| 22 | But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. |
| 23 | Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" |
| 24 | And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! |
| 25 | It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." |
| 26 | And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" |
| 27 | But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." |
And Glory be to God forever.
The third [revelation] is that our Lord God, almighty wisdom, all love, just as truly as [God] has made everything that is, so truly [God] does and brings about all that is done . . . we are securely protected through love, in joy and sorrow, by the goodness of God. . . . All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. —Julian of Norwich [1]
For Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955), a French Jesuit priest who trained as a paleontologist and geologist, love is “the very physical structure of the Universe.” [2] That is a very daring statement, especially for a scientist to make. Yet for Teilhard, gravity, atomic bonding, orbits, cycles, photosynthesis, ecosystems, force fields, electromagnetic fields, sexuality, human friendship, animal instinct, and evolution all reveal an energy that is attracting all things and beings to one another, in a movement toward ever greater complexity and diversity—and yet ironically also toward unification at ever deeper levels. This energy is quite simply love under many different forms. (You can use another word if it works better for you.)
Love, the attraction of all things toward all things, is a universal language and underlying energy that keeps showing itself despite our best efforts to resist it. It is so simple that it is hard to teach, yet we all know love when we see it. After all, there is not a Native, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, or Christian way of loving. There is not a Methodist, Lutheran, or Orthodox way of running a soup kitchen. There is not a gay or straight way of being faithful, nor a Black or Caucasian way of hoping. We all know positive flow when we see it, and we all recognize resistance and coldness when we feel it. All the rest are mere labels.
When we are truly “in love,” we move out of our small, individual selves to unite with another, whether in companionship, friendship, marriage, or any other trustful relationship. Have you ever deliberately befriended a person standing alone at a party? Perhaps someone who was in no way attractive to you or with whom you shared no common interests? That would be a small but real example of divine love flowing. Don’t dismiss it as insignificant. That is how the flow starts, even if the encounter doesn’t change anyone’s life on the spot. To move beyond our small-minded uniformity, we have to extend ourselves outward, which our egos always find a threat, because it means giving up our separation, superiority, and control.
Christena Cleveland recognizes that so much is lost when we refuse to cross the “borders” that keep us apart.
How much are the people for whom Christ died suffering because we remain paralyzed and divided by our differences when we should be working together as the hands and feet of Jesus in the world? There must be a better and more efficient way to carry out our roles within the mission of God. Surely, we can do better. [3