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Reflections on the Passing of HH Pope Shenouda III |
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Friday, March 23 2012 |
Reflections on the Passing of HH Pope Shenouda III
By: Christine Agaibi
 In the last week, millions of Copts around the world have mourned the loss of our great shepherd while we simultaneously gaining a great intercessor in Paradise. It was heavy on our hearts and minds to hear and process "HH Pope Shenouda has passed away". Some of us experienced shock and disbelief and some sadness or anger. Some feel uncertainty about what happens now or how can a great person like HH Pope Shenouda ever be replaced. Some may even feel they wished they could have known all they could have about this great person when he was alive. Some cannot even process their feelings yet. My friends I have been contemplating this loss myself over the last few days and while I know we are to be joyful that we have an intercessor in Paradise, we are human and feel an earthly loss. This is a normal human reaction because even our master Jesus Christ wept (John 11:35). “Jesus wept” is the shortest verse in the Bible but speaks volumes about the humanity of our Savior and about the necessity of sometimes having an outward expression of emotion.
His Holiness accomplished a lot in his 40 years of service to the Coptic Church and to his beloved children and this level of service is one we should all try to emulate. While the number of Coptic Churches in the lands of immigration was sparse in 1971 when he was ordained Pope and Patriarch, he established hundreds of churches on all 6 habitable continents and in over 60 countries. He established theological schools and monasteries especially in the Diaspora. He received multiple honorary doctorate degrees and he has authored of hundreds of books and articles. He was a philosopher, a poet, and a theologian. He gave hundreds of sermons that were recorded. He presided over many liturgies, baptisms, church consecrations, and an innumerable amount of other church activities. He was active in councils for inter-Christian dialogue and was the first Coptic Pope to meet with the Vatican Pope John Paul II in 1500 years. He spoke about human rights, and dignity and respect for all and he was kind to the young and old alike. He was a great spiritual man and yet the most humble as well. He was born an orphan, as his mother passed away shortly after his birth, but his faith and resilience led him to be a father to millions upon his passing.
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Monday, March 05 2012 |
THE JOURNEY OF LENT
By the late Fr. Bishoy Kamel
 The First Sunday:
Clarity of vision and determination: no criss-crossing between two paths: man cannot worship God and money-money is a god!!! At the start of the journey, God asks me: how many Gods do you worship? Do you really believe in one God?...God or money? God or the flesh? God or clothes? God or appearances? God or the ego?
The teachings at the beginning of this journey are:
Clarity of vision, "Ask for the kingdom of God and His righteousness (only)"
Do not worry about tomorrow.
These are basic teachings to help those setting out on the journey of Lent--they pray for the kingdom of God and His righteousness..and all the rest shall be added. They travel without any concern because God is their life, their light on the way, their source of nourishment and their helper...they take firm and strong steps towards eternal life. Indeed, they experience eternal life now as they do not worry or criss-cross over the lines.
The Second Sunday:
Temptations on the road: struggle is a natural condition to a person who wishes to attain a valuable object. War is burdensome when it is an object in itself. But when the object is to progress spiritually, and to be steadfast in God, then war becomes a pleasure. It is a pleasure because victory is certain since Christ won it for me. I, consequently, will win through Him. It is a war with a fierce enemy whom the Lord has already conquered. That evil one had used food and price as instruments of war against the Lord. He told Jesus to throw Himself from the top of the temple, and attempted to lure Him to choose the easy way out of the sufferings of the cross by saying: "I will give you all the kingdoms of the world if you bow down and worship me." This seems easier then reigning over people’s hearts through the Cross...throw your cross and learn be sleazy in life...but our Lord conquered and gave us the victory.
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