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NEWS October 2012 - mystjohn.org · By H.H. Pope Shenouda III ... To show that it is getting old...

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 3 NEWS October 2012 1. October 6, and January 2011 and NOW! On October 6, 1981, after one month from the tragedy, which Sadat committed when he exiled Pope Shenouda, in a desert monastery in Egypt for 40 months, arrested many bishops, priests and Coptic lead- ers, and wanted to apply the Islamic “ Sharia Law”… One month later, he was assassinated by the Muslim extremists whom he encouraged, armed and set free from prison! God has no favoritism, for the Bible says, “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). History repeats itself. On January 25, 2011, President Mubarak faced the same fate; he encouraged his minister of interior and fanatic Muslims to practice vicious persecution against the Christians and he was plucked out in a revolution and is dying now behind bars! The current regime of Mohammad Morsy (Muslim Brotherhood) is repeating the same fatal mistake and hardened the Islamic persecution against the Copts, the original native of Egypt. In his pre-election propaganda, he claimed that he would not allow a single Christian to stay in Egypt! He said, either forces them to convert to Islam or to leave the country! We believe that God will not allow the gates of hell to destroy His church. God is fair, merciful and patient. He may give chances but certainly, He will take revenge and protect His people in the due time. 2. Children Harvest (Halloween) Celebration: St. John Church arranges a special Halloween party for chil- dren on Halloween Day, Wednesday, October 31, from 6:00–9:00 PM. The church explains the historical background of the occasion, and how it started with a good celebration of all saints, then was distorted to a sort of satanic harmful and foolish entertainment. Also, we distributes chocolate, candy and cookies to keep our children safe out of the streets, and encour- age them to put on good costumes of angels, prophets, saints, Christian martyrs, heroes, and Biblical Characters instead of ghosts and goblins 3. H.H. Pope Shenouda III: + His memory lasts forever due to his great reform, revival and the amazing her- itage, which he left to the church. + The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church declared three-day-fasting and prayer from October 1-3, 2012 that God may have mercy on us and choose the good shepherd as He chose Pope Shenouda and Pope Kerillos. 4. H.G. Bishop Serapion: + The Holy Synod of the Coptic Church issued a new edition of the Synaxarium con- taining the martyrdom of St. Maurise and St. Verena, upon the request of Bishop Serapion. + On Saturday, September 22, His Grace blessed the 24 th Annual Festival of St. John Church in Covina, prayed and gave the sermon in the Vespers. 5. The Visit of Pope Benedict to Lebanon: Pope Benedict of Rome visited Lebanon for three days during September 2012, and was received formally and with great welcome. He celebrated a Mass and delivered a speech and focused on peace, justice and equality for all the Lebanese. He considered sending weapons to Syria a great sin. He also asked the Christians not to immigrate and leave Lebanon but they should defend their rights by all the legal and peaceful ways. 6. St. John Church’s 24 th Annual Festival: St. John Church held her 24 th , Annual Festival from September 21-23, 2012 celebrating daily Liturgies and spending good time with the congregation and visitors. The church ladies, youth, senior citizens and children presented all their best, in Mediterranean cooking, books, icons, CDs, arts and crafts. The festival was a great success to have spiritual revival, social activities besides the fund-raising to pay off the new church building debt. May God richly bless all who shared with their prayers, efforts, time and generous donations. 7. St. John’s Servants Summer Retreat: Our annual retreat for the Sunday School and youth ser- vants was held this year at Lake San Morcos over the Labor Day Weekend. Fr. Daniel and Fr. Shenouda presented to us the life of Moses as a servant, leader and intercessor for his congregation. Fr. Gawargios, a seasoned priest with decades of service under his belt, also gave a talk on 10 pieces of advice for servants. IT was a great time for fellowship for the servants and renewal and reflection before the beginning of the new Coptic Year. May God grant us His grace to be strong servant leaders guiding all His children faithfully to the Promised Land of heaven. St John Eng OCT12_r1 10/8/12 3:43 PM Page 3
Transcript

YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 3

NNEEWWSSOOccttoobbeerr

2200112211.. OOccttoobbeerr 66,, aanndd JJaannuuaarryy 22001111 aanndd NNOOWW!!

On October 6, 1981, after one month fromthe tragedy, which Sadat committed when he exiledPope Shenouda, in a desert monastery in Egypt for 40months, arrested many bishops, priests and Coptic lead-ers, and wanted to apply the Islamic “Sharia Law”…One month later, he was assassinated by the Muslimextremists whom he encouraged, armed and set freefrom prison! God has no favoritism, for the Bible says,““GGoodd iiss nnoott mmoocckkeedd;; ffoorr wwhhaatteevveerr aa mmaann ssoowwss,, tthhaatt hheewwiillll aallssoo rreeaapp”” (Gal. 6:7).

HHiissttoorryy rreeppeeaattss iittsseellff.. OOnnJJaannuuaarryy 2255,, 22001111,, PPrreessiiddeenntt MMuubbaarraakkffaacceedd tthhee ssaammee ffaattee; he encouraged hisminister of interior and fanatic Muslimsto practice vicious persecution against theChristians and he was plucked out in arevolution and is dying now behind bars!

TThhee ccuurrrreenntt rreeggiimmee ooffMMoohhaammmmaadd MMoorrssyy ((MMuusslliimm BBrrootthheerrhhoooodd)) iiss rreeppeeaattiinngg tthheessaammee ffaattaall mmiissttaakkee and hardened the Islamic persecution againstthe Copts, the original native of Egypt.In his pre-election propaganda, heclaimed that he would not allow a singleChristian to stay in Egypt! He said,either forces them to convert to Islam orto leave the country! We believe that Godwill not allow the gates of hell to destroyHis church. God is fair, merciful andpatient. He may give chances but certainly, He will take revengeand protect His people in the due time.

22.. CChhiillddrreenn HHaarrvveesstt ((HHaalllloowweeeenn)) CCeelleebbrraattiioonn::

St. John Church arranges a special Halloween party for chil-dren on Halloween Day, Wednesday, October 31, from6:00–9:00 PM. The church explains the historical backgroundof the occasion, and how it ssttaarrtteedd wwiitthh aa ggoooodd cceelleebbrraattiioonn ooffaallll ssaaiinnttss,, then was distorted to a sort of satanic harmful andfoolish entertainment. Also, we distributes chocolate, candy andcookies to keep our children safe out of the streets, and encour-age them to put on good costumes of angels, prophets, saints,Christian martyrs, heroes, and Biblical Characters instead ofghosts and goblins

33.. HH..HH.. PPooppee SShheennoouuddaa IIIIII::

+ His memory lasts forever due to hisgreat reform, revival and the amazing her-itage, which he left to the church.

+ The Holy Synod of the Coptic OrthodoxChurch declared three-day-fasting and prayerfrom October 1-3, 2012 that God may havemercy on us and choose the good shepherd asHe chose Pope Shenouda and Pope Kerillos.

44.. HH..GG.. BBiisshhoopp SSeerraappiioonn::

+ The Holy Synod of the Coptic Churchissued a new edition of the Synaxarium con-taining the martyrdom of St. Maurise and St.Verena, upon the request of Bishop Serapion.

+ On Saturday, September 22, His Grace

blessed the 24th Annual Festival of St. JohnChurch in Covina, prayed and gave the sermon in the Vespers.

55.. TThhee VViissiitt ooff PPooppee BBeenneeddiicctt ttoo LLeebbaannoonn::

Pope Benedict of Rome visitedLebanon for three days duringSeptember 2012, and was receivedformally and with great welcome.He celebrated a Mass and delivered aspeech and focused on peace, justiceand equality for all the Lebanese.He considered sending weapons toSyria a great sin. He also asked the Christians not to immigrateand leave Lebanon but they should defend their rights by all thelegal and peaceful ways.

6. SStt.. JJoohhnn CChhuurrcchh’’ss 2244tthh AAnnnnuuaall FFeessttiivvaall::

St. John Church held her 24th, Annual Festival fromSeptember 21-23, 2012 celebrating daily Liturgies and spendinggood time with the congregation and visitors. The churchladies, youth, senior citizens and children presented all their best,in Mediterranean cooking, books, icons, CDs, arts and crafts.The festival was a great success to have spiritual revival, socialactivities besides the fund-raising to pay off the new churchbuilding debt. May God richly bless all who shared with theirprayers, efforts, time and generous donations.

77.. SStt.. JJoohhnn’’ss SSeerrvvaannttss SSuummmmeerr RReettrreeaatt::

Our annual retreat for the Sunday School and youth ser-vants was held this year at Lake San Morcos over the Labor DayWeekend. Fr. Daniel and Fr. Shenouda presented to us the life ofMoses as a servant, leader and intercessor for his congregation.Fr. Gawargios, a seasoned priest with decades of service under hisbelt, also gave a talk on 10 pieces of advice for servants. IT wasa great time for fellowship for the servants and renewal andreflection before the beginning of the new Coptic Year. May Godgrant us His grace to be strong servant leaders guiding all Hischildren faithfully to the Promised Land of heaven.

St John Eng OCT12_r1 10/8/12 3:43 PM Page 3

Its importance

Blessed is He, the Lord God, who humbled Himself totalk to us who are but dust and ashes. And blessed is He forordering His holy prophets, to record His words for us, so allwas kept for us in the Holy Bible, a benefit for our souls andlight for our path.The Holy Bible is the book of books or ‘TheBook’

When we say, ‘The Book” only, we mean the Bible ofGod, His words by which He talks to us. It was inspired andtold by the Holy Spirit through the words of His holyprophets. “For prophecy never came by the will of man, butholy men of God spoke as they were moved by the HolySpirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).

The Holy Bible is a message presented to you, and whodoes not rejoice with a message from God?

St. Anthony the Great received once a message from theEmperor Constantine. His disciples greatly rejoiced but thesaint put the message aside. His disciples were astonished andbecame enthusiastic to read the message. So St. Anthony saidto them, “My children, who do you rejoice so much for a mes-sage received from a man? There God has sent us many mes-sages in the Holy Bible and why don’t we receive them withthe same joy and excitement? After that he read the Emperor’sletter and replied in order to bless him.And you, if you receive a letter from a person who is dear toyou, don’t you rejoice and read it time ager time? Isn’t itappropriate for you to do the same with a message that youreceive from God? The Lord Jesus said, “The words that Ispeak to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63).

It is food for our spirit. We are nourished by it and have

life. God said in Deuteronomy 8:3, and quoted by the LordJesus Christ: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by everyword that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4 & Lk.4:4). Bread is a food for the body, and man is not just a body,but he has a spirit, and the spirit is nourished by God’s wordswhich are recorded in the Holy Bible. In the Holy Bible wehave our daily bread, because we live by every word that pro-ceeds from the mouth of God.” It is the bread of life and thenourishment of the spirit. It is probably part of what is meantby the phrase, “Give us this day our daily bread” in the Lord’sPrayer.

The man of God delights in the Bible as it is said, “hisdelight is in the law of the Lord and he meditates on it dayand night. (Psa. 1:2). The word “delight” indicates that God’scommandments are not a burden and not an obligation, buta cause of delight, comfort and joy.

Our relationship with the Bible is continuous and perma-nent and that is why the spiritual person meditates in it dayand night. God said to Joshua, “This book of the law shallnot depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it dayand night, that you may observe to do according to all that iswritten in it. For then you will make your way prosperous,and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8).Also, David was a king, a leader and the father of a big fami-ly, and in spite of his huge responsibilities, listen to him say-ing, “Your testimonies are my meditation and Your word is alamp to my feet and a light to my path… I rejoice at yourword as one who finds great treasure, Your words are sweeterthan honey in my mouth” (Psalm 119).

Our fathers, the saints of the church, used to learn by

4 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

BByy HH..HH.. PPooppee SShheennoouuddaa IIIIII

St John Eng OCT12_r1 10/8/12 3:43 PM Page 4

heart many books from the Bible, and so the Bible wasrevealed in their lives. I used to say to people, “Keep theGospel and the Gospel will keep you; keep the psalms and thepsalms will keep (protect) you.”

To learn verses, repeat them, meditate on them, is a virtueand to act according to them is a greater virtue; “Therefore,the Lord Jesus Christ says, “Whoever hears these sayings ofmine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who builthis house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24). And the priest, in theLitany of the Gospel says every time before reading theGospel in Church, “Grant that we become worthy to hearand perform according to Your Holy Gospels.”I would like to see your personal Bibles showing signs ofbeing in use. To show that it is getting old with underlinedparts reflecting your readings and use of them. Read and con-template. Mingle the reading of the Bible with your prayersto understand and to apply. The Bible is not only a sourceof contemplation but also a source of consolation. Take God’sword as if it is a personal message directed personally to you.It is also a powerful spiritual weapon. It is called the “Swordof the spirit” (Eph. 6:17). It is described, “The word of Godis living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edgedsword” (Heb. 4:12). Satan, in the temptation on the moun-tain, could not stand the words of God and could not respondto any of them.

The word of God will be a witness against us in the LastDay, if we do not obey it.

Your Relationship with the Bible:

I will summarize your relationship with the Bible in thefollowing points and refer you to the Pope’s book,“The Spiritual Means” for the details:

1. Possessing the Bible

2. Love the Holy Bible

3. Persevere in reading the Bible.

4. Read in Reverence and humility.

5. Understand and study what you read.

6. Memorize verses from the Bible.

7. Contemplate on the Bible.

8. Read the Bible with the spirit of prayer.

9. Do, apply and obey the Bible.

10. Teach, preach and spread the word of God.

YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 5

By Fr. Augustinos Hanna

Christian life starts with faith, baptism and repentance.Too many Christians think that believing in Christ, beingbaptized and repent, is the end goal. This is not true; this isthe beginning of the Christian journey (Jn. 3:3, 5 & Lk. 13)It is a basic principle that living things grow, whether in thephysical or the spiritual realm. The wisest decision you canmake is to set your heart, mind and will on doing whatever isnecessary to grow up in Christ.

Essentials for Christian Growth

1. Repentance: This is the first and most obvious require-ments in order to revive the effectiveness of the baptism andcorrect your ways and return to God. The Lord Jesus said ittwice, “Unless you repent, you will perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

2. Scripture: You cannot expect to grow in the Lord if youdo not live on the Bible or just use it rarely. Christ said,“Search the Scriptures” (Jn.5:39). You need a daily supply ofthe Word, and not a snack. Study the Bible and grow in thegrace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet.3:18)

3. Stability in sound doctrine: “Nourished in the words offaith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully fol-lowed” (1 Tim. 4:6). Know the doctrines of the church andher history and abide in that.

4. Passion for Christ and His calling: “But what thingswere gain to me, I have counted loss for Christ…that I mayknow Him and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3:7-14).

5. Sharing: Share the grace of Christ with other Christianfriends, your experiences, suffering, struggles and good timesand do not be an island.

6. Suffering: Although no one likes suffering, it is one ofGod’s choice tools God uses to mature us (James 1:2-4). Howwould we ever learn patience if we never had to endure diffi-cult circumstances? This is our cross.

7. Service: We have to be involved in service and goodworks God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). ImitateChrist who “came not to be served but to serve” (Matt.20:28).

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6 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

BByy FFrr.. AAuugguussttiinnooss RR.. HHaannnnaa

IIIIII.. TThhee RReemmeeddyy

In August 2012 issue, I wroteabout the tongue as the most dan-gerous member in human body. InSeptember 2012, I mentioned 102

sins can be committed by the tongue supported by biblicalverses. In this issue of October, I will talk about the REME-DY. How can we tame this difficult and dangerous littleorgan, the tongue? How can we control it and correct itsmisuse?

The treatment of the tongue’s diseases, sins and wrongscannot happen in a moment, but it takes time, effort, train-ing and the help of God’s grace in the first place. You mustbe convinced and have a strong desire to control it and sub-ject it to the word of God and the leadership of His HolySpirit. It also needs observation and patience. We maysummarize that in the following points:

TThhee cchhaannggee ooff tthhee hheeaarrtt::

It is unfair to put all the blame on the tongue alone. Thetongue does not speak of itself, but it expresses the feelingsof the heart and the thoughts of the mind. The Lord JesusChrist set a golden rule when He said, “For out of the abun-dance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of thegood treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and anevil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”(Matt. 12:34, 35). He also said, “For from within, out ofthe heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornica-tion…covetousness, wickedness, deceit, blasphemy, foolish-ness…all these evil things come from within and defile aman” (Mark 7:21). Therefore, the first step in the remedyis to change the heart. We have to give our heart to Christ,the Savior to renew it, purify and sanctify it and to dwellwithin it. Godpromised, ““II wwiillll ggiivvee yyoouu aa nneeww hheeaarrtt aanndd ppuutt aa nneeww ssppiirriittwwiitthhiinn yyoouu.. II wwiillll ttaakkee tthhee hheeaarrtt ooff ssttoonnee oouutt ooff yyoouurr fflleesshhaanndd ggiivvee yyoouu aa hheeaarrtt ooff fflleesshh.. II wwiillll ppuutt MMyy SSppiirriitt wwiitthhiinn

yyoouu aanndd ccaauussee yyoouu ttoo wwaallkk iinn MMyy ssttaattuutteess aanndd yyoouu wwiillll kkeeeeppMMyy jjuuddggmmeennttss aanndd ddoo tthheemm..”” (Ezek. 36:26, 27).It is not a repair but a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), a com-plete change, it is sort of a “Heart Transplant”, and “TongueTransplant!” That is why the Lord says, ““MMyy ssoonn,, ggiivvee mmeeyyoouurr hheeaarrtt,, aanndd lleett yyoouurr eeyyeess oobbsseerrvvee MMyy wwaayyss”” (Prov. 23:26).David discovered this fact when he said, ““CCrreeaattee iinn mmee aacclleeaann hheeaarrtt.. OO GGoodd,, aanndd rreenneeww aa sstteeaaddffaasstt ssppiirriitt wwiitthhiinn mmee””(Psalm 51:10).

There is a story that explains this fact. It says that anIndian peasant bought an expensive watch from anAmerican tourist. After a little while he found out that thewatch is not accurate. So, he took off the glass cover of thewatch and the two hands to a repair-shop. When he wasasked about the watch itself he said, it is at home, it is brandnew and nothing wrong about it and the defect is in thesetwo hands only! The repair man laughed at this naïf peas-ant and explained to him that the defect is in the heart of thewatch and when he fix the heart, the hands will work rightautomatically. Without changing of the heart and recreat-ing it a new, there is no remedy for the ill-tongue.

FFiilllliinngg tthhee hheeaarrtt wwiitthh tthhee wwoorrdd ooff GGoodd::

The Bible advises us, ““LLeett tthhee wwoorrdd ooff CChhrriisstt ddwweellll iinnyyoouu rriicchhllyy”” (Col. 3:16). Since we learned that the tonguedoesn’t speak of itself but it takes from the heart, so we haveto charge the heart with the word of God to give it the goodmaterial. In this regard, St. Peter says, “If anyone speaks, lethim speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). As werecharge our cell phone battery every day, so we need to dolikewise to fill and charge our heart with the word of Godand the Spirit of God. For this reason, psalm 1 praises theman who meditates in the law of the Lord day and night(Psa. 1:2). God ordered Joshua, “This Book of the Law shallnot depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in itday and night, that you may observe to do according to allthat is written in it. For then you will make your way pros-perous” (Jos.1:8). Saint Mary

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 7

was a great example; she was raised in the Temple and mem-orized the psalms and the word of God by heart and whenshe talked to Elizabeth, her own words were saturated withthe word of God and were called “The Psalm of the NewTestament!”

Also, David said, “Your word I have hidden in myheart, that I might not sin against You” (Psa. 119:11).

TThhee ccoonnssttaanntt pprraayyeerr::

Prayer is an effective way to control and correct the mis-takes of the tongue. By prayer we ask for the new heart andclean tongue. Through prayer we repent and ask for forgive-ness about any errors and secret faults of the tongue, andrequest God’s help, strength and blessings. “Let us thereforecome boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtainmercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).44.. CCoonnffeessssiioonn aanndd CCoommmmuunniioonn::

Most of the sins which people repeat in their confessionsrevolve around the sins of the tongue! In the sacrament ofconfession we receive forgiveness and guidance, how to over-come them. And in the sacrament of communion we getsanctified by touching and tasting the Divine Body of Christand His Blood and that gives us power, purification andimmunity against sin. InIsaiah’s vision, he saw the glory of LORD filling the templeand the Seraphim declaring His glory saying, “Holy, holy,holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of Hisglory.” Isaiah confessed his sins and said, “Woe is me, for Iam undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwellin the midst of a people of unclean lips, for my eyes haveseen the King, the Lord of hosts.” The Bible tells us that assoon as the prophet Isaiah confessed his sins, that “one of theSeraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal whichhe had taken with the tongs from the altar and he touchedmy mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched yourlips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged” (Isa.6:1-7).

In the great light of God’s glory and holiness, we see ourfilthy sins, confess and cry for forgiveness. Then the fierycoal that stands for the holy body and blood of Christ cleansour tongue and lips, and then instead of using our tonguenegatively, we will share with the Seraphim in praising Godand will be prepared for serving Him (Isa. 6:8).5. TTaakkiinngg hheeeedd aanndd oobbsseerrvvaattiioonn ooff tthhee ttoonngguuee:: Ifthe sins of the tongue are so many and serious like that andcan be endless repeated; so no doubt that we after repenting,confessing our sins and having communion, praying andmeditating in the word of God on daily basis; we should bevery careful not to defile our tongues with such dirt and tobe strict and observing out tongue and lips, as the Bible

teaches, ““TTaakkee hheeeedd ttoo yyoouurrsseellff aanndd ttoo tthhee ddooccttrriinnee..CCoonnttiinnuuee iinn tthheemm,, ffoorr iinn ddooiinngg tthhiiss yyoouu wwiillll ssaavvee bbootthh yyoouurr--sseellff aanndd tthhoossee wwhhoo hheeaarr yyoouu” (1 Tim. 4:16).

SSppiirriittuuaall ttrraaiinniinngg::

St. Paul says, ““BBooddiillyy eexxeerrcciissee pprrooffiittss aa lliittttllee,, bbuutt ggooddllii--nneessss iiss pprrooffiittaabbllee ffoorr aallll tthhiinnggss,, hhaavviinngg pprroommiissee ooff tthhee lliiffee tthhaattnnooww iiss aanndd ooff tthhaatt wwhhiicchh iiss ttoo ccoommee” (1 Tim. 4:8). Spirituallife needs a lot of exercises and training. David prays inPsalm 119, “teach me, O Lord…give meunderstanding…make me walk in the path of Your com-mandments, or in other way, “train me.” It is also writtenthat “Solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,tthhoossee wwhhoo bbyy rreeaassoonn ooff uussee hhaavvee tthheeiirr sseennsseess eexxeerrcciisseedd ttoo ddiiss--cceerrnn bbootthh ggoooodd aanndd eevviill”” (Heb. 5:14). The lives of the saintsare full of these exercises, one of them in our contest is thetraining of keeping silent from time to time, or talking veryfew words, or slowing in speech. Thereis a famous saying of St. Arsanius, “Too many times I havespoken and relented; but for my silence I have never relent-ed.” He also said, “If you did not benefit of my silence, soyou will never benefit of my speech.” Also, he said, “I can-not talk to God and people in the same time!”

Late Pope Shenouda said, “Before you speak, ask your-self these three questions:

(1) is it necessary that I should talk?”

(2) Is my speech correct?

(3) Will it benefit the hearers and edify them?

If the answer of any of these three questions is negative,so it is better not to talk. Remember the wisdom ofSolomon when he said, “To everything there is a season, atime for every purpose under heaven: A time to keepsilence, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:1& 7). Shutting themouth is like using the brakes for the car, it prevents hurt-ing or offending others. It helps to keep fervency in theheart, because the uncovered pot makes the heat vanishes.

TThhee ppoossiittiivvee uussee ooff tthhee ttoonngguuee::

St. Gregory the Theologist, says in his Liturgy, “You haveplaced in me the gift of speech.” The tongue is a wonderfulorgan indeed that deserves to thank God for it and by it. Itis the member through which we can talk to God and peo-ple and express ourselves. It is the organ that we taste andenjoy food with. It is the violin by which we sing andexpress our joy, gratitude to God and communicate withmen. Now, letus move from the negative use of the tongue to the positiveand bright side:

TThheessee aarree ssoommee ttiittlleess ooff tthhee ggoooodd uussee ooff tthhee ttoonngguuee::

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8 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

11)) SSppeeaakkiinngg ooff GGoodd’’ss wwoorrdd;; this is the sweetest music inthe ears of the wise and good people and angels.

22)) IInn pprraayyiinngg,, pprraaiissiinngg GGoodd; this is the language of heav-en.

33)) TThhee wwoorrddss ooff ggrraaccee aanndd bblleessssiinnggss that we all need.

44)) TThhee wwoorrddss ooff lloovvee,, because if we speak with thetongues of men and of angels, but have not love, we havebecome as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13)

55)) TThhee wwoorrddss ooff ccoommffoorrtt to the grieving, the widows,the orphans and those who lost loved ones. Listen to jobsaying, “And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy” (Job29:13).

66)) PPrreeaacchhiinngg tthhee GGoossppeell ooff CChhrriisstt aanndd ssaallvvaattiioonn to winsouls to heaven and save them from hell. “For necessity is laidupon me, yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor.9:16).

77)) TThhee wwoorrddss ooff tteeaacchhiinngg aanndd eeddiiffiiccaattiioonn to prepare aready congregation to the Lord (Rom. 12:7).

88)) WWoorrddss ooff eennccoouurraaggeemmeenntt to the weak and hopelessand those who think of committing suicide (1 Thess. 5:14).

99)) WWoorrddss ooff rreeccoonncciilliiaattiioonn aanndd ppeeaaccee to solve disputesfights (1 Cor. 6:5).

1100)) WWoorrddss ooff ffoorrggiivveenneessss and humility that bring com-fort.

1111)) WWoorrddss ooff ffaaiitthhffuull pprraaiissee as in Jesus talk with theSamaritan woman (John 4).

1122)) WWoorrddss ooff tthhaannkkssggiivviinngg,, ggrraattiittuuddee and appreciation.

1133)) WWoorrddss ooff wwaarrnniinngg ooff ssiinn,, bbaadd hhaabbiittss aanndd hheellll ffiirree..

1144)) WWoorrddss ooff ffaaiirr jjuuddggmmeenntt aanndd ssoollvviinngg pprroobblleemmss..

1155)) WWoorrddss ooff kkiinnddnneessss.

1166)) WWoorrddss iinn ggoooodd sseeaassoonn, ““AA wwoorrdd ffiittllyy ssppookkeenn iiss lliikkeeaapppplleess ooff ggoolldd iinn sseettttiinnggss ooff ssiillvveerr” (Prov. 25:11).

1177)) SSoofftt wwoorrddss,, ““AA ssoofftt aannsswweerr ttuurrnnss aawwaayy wwrraatthh,, bbuutt aahhaarrsshh wwoorrdd ssttiirrss uupp aannggeerr” (Prov. 15:1).

1188)) PPlleeaassaanntt wwoorrddss aanndd ggoooodd nneewwss (Prov. 25:25).

1199)) SSwweeeett wwoorrddss tthhaatt bbeenneeffiitt aanndd nnoouurriisshh ootthheerrss asChrist described His bride saying, “YYoouurr lliippss,, ddrriipp aass tthhee hhoonn--eeyyccoommbb,, hhoonneeyy aanndd mmiillkk aarree uunnddeerr yyoouurr ttoonngguuee”” (Song 4:11).The honey stands for sweetness and the milk stands for nour-ishment.

2200)) WWiittnneessssiinngg ttoo tthhee ttrruutthh,, ““YYoouu aarree MMyy wwiittnneesssseess,, ssaayysstthhee LLoorrdd”” (Jn. 15:27 & Acts 1:8). So, let us cry to God tosave us from the evil use of the tongue, teach and help us touse it positively according to His holy will and glory. Amen.

FFrrhhaannnnaa,, The flames of radicalism are engulfing the Middle East.

Al-Qaeda is calling for more attacks on U.S. embassies andour diplomats.

As radicals attacked the U.S. Embassy in Egypt, theychanted “OObbaammaa!! OObbaammaa!! WWee aarree aallll OOssaammaa!!””A message to our President of their support for al-Qaeda’sformer leader.

Our flag was then torn down and set ablaze. When assis-tance arrived, a black flag used by Al-Qaeda was flying overour embassy!

In Libya and Egypt, on the anniversary of September11, four Americans were murdered and our embassiesattacked.

We send billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to thesecountries, while they persecute our Christian Coptic broth-ers, kill them and bomb their churches.

Egypt has announced that it will put an American citi-zen and seven Christian Egyptians on trial for an anti-Islamic video!

Our nation sends billions of American taxpayer dollarsto these nations every year. This must end, demanding thatthe Obama Administration stop funding radical MiddleEast regimes.

JJaayy SSeekkuullooww

AACCLLJJ CChhiieeff CCoouunnsseell

AAmmeerriiccaann LLaaww && JJuussttiiccee SSoocciieettyy

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 9

TThhee LLoosseerr sseeeess aa pprroobblleemm ffoorr eevveerryy aannsswweerr;; TThhee WWiinnnneerrsseeeess aann aannsswweerr ffoorr eevveerryy pprroobblleemm..

TThhee LLoosseerr ssaayyss,, ““IItt mmaayy bbee ppoossssiibbllee bbuutt iitt iiss ttoooo ddiiffffiiccuulltt..””TThhee WWiinnnneerr ssaayyss,,”” IItt mmaayy bbee ddiiffffiiccuulltt bbuutt iitt iiss ppoossssiibbllee””..

TThhee LLoosseerr aallwwaayyss hhaass aann eexxccuussee;; TThhee WWiinnnneerr aallwwaayyss hhaassaa pprrooggrraamm..

TThhee LLoosseerr iiss aallwwaayyss ppaarrtt ooff tthhee pprroobblleemm;; TThhee WWiinnnneerr iissaallwwaayyss ppaarrtt ooff tthhee aannsswweerr..

LLoosseerrss sseeee tthhee ppaaiinn;; WWiinnnneerrss sseeee tthhee ggaaiinn..

LLoosseerrss sseeee pprroobblleemmss;; WWiinnnneerrss sseeee ppoossssiibbiilliittiieess..

LLoosseerrss ssaayy,, ““SSoommeetthhiinngg mmuusstt bbee ddoonnee..””WWiinnnneerrss ssaayy,,”” IImmuusstt ddoo ssoommeetthhiinngg””..

LLoosseerrss sseeee tthhee ppaasstt;; WWiinnnneerrss sseeee tthhee ppootteennttiiaall..

LLoosseerrss hhaavvee sscchheemmeess;; WWiinnnneerrss hhaavvee ddrreeaammss..

AA LLoosseerr mmaakkeess pprroommiisseess;; AA WWiinnnneerr mmaakkeess ccoommmmiittmmeennttss..

LLoosseerrss lleett iitt hhaappppeenn;; WWiinnnneerrss mmaakkee iitt hhaappppeenn..

WWhheenn aa LLoosseerr mmaakkeess aa mmiissttaakkee,, hhee ssaayyss,,”” IItt wwaassnn’’tt mmyyffaauulltt..”” WWhheenn aa WWiinnnneerr mmaakkeess aa mmiissttaakkee,, hhee ssaayyss,,”” II wwaasswwrroonngg””..

LLoosseerrss bbeelliieevvee ffoorr tthheemm ttoo wwiinn ssoommeeoonnee hhaass ttoolloossee;;WWiinnnneerrss bbeelliieevvee iinn wwiinn//wwiinn..

LLoosseerrss ssaayy wwhhaatt tthheeyy cchhoooossee.. ;;WWiinnnneerrss cchhoooossee wwhhaatt tthheeyy ssaayy..

LLoosseerrss ssttaanndd ffiirrmm oonn ppeettttyy tthhiinnggss bbuutt ccoommpprroommiissee oonnvvaalluueess;;WWiinnnneerrss ssttaanndd ffiirrmm oonn vvaalluueess bbuutt ccoommpprroommiissee oonnppeettttyy tthhiinnggss..

LLoosseerrss ddoo tthhee uunniimmppoorrttaanntt ffiirrsstt;;WWiinnnneerrss hhaavvee pprriioorriittiieess..

If I had to narrow it down to a few evidences, I would say:

FFuullffiilllleedd pprroopphheecciieess..

AArrcchhaaeeoollooggiiccaall ddiissccoovveerriieess..

TThhee BBiibbllee’’ss aammaazziinngg uunniittyy..

II.. TThhee BBiibbllee,, uunnlliikkee aannyy ootthheerr rreelliiggiioouuss bbooookk,, hhaassddeemmoonnssttrraatteedd iittsseellff ttoo bbee tthhee WWoorrdd ooff GGoodd tthhrroouugghh iittss aabbiill--iittyy ttoo rriigghhttllyy pprreeddiicctt tthhee ffuuttuurree::

There are literally hundreds of very specific prophecies inthe Bible, (around 400 for hundred, 330 of them are aboutChrist alone) that were spoken hundreds and sometimes thou-sands of years before their fulfillment that have already cometo pass. No other religious book can verify itself in this way.

IIII.. TThhee BBiibbllee hhaass aallssoo bbeeeenn pprroovveenn ttoo bbee hhiissttoorriiccaallllyy rreellii--aabbllee bbyy nnuummeerroouuss aarrcchhaaeeoollooggiiccaall ddiissccoovveerriieess:

To date, there have been more than 25,000 archaeologi-cal discoveries that have verified the names of persons, places,events, and customs mentioned in the Bible.

IIIIII.. TThhee BBiibbllee’’ss aammaazziinngg uunniittyy::

Here is a book that is actually a collection of 66 sixty sixdifferent books, written down by more than forty differentauthors, over a period of 1,500 plus years, on three differentcontinents, in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic andGreek), and it addresses life’s most controversial topics frombeginning to end. You would think there would be chaos,confusion, and contradictions, yet the Bible miraculouslyremains absolutely consistent and internally harmonious frombeginning to end.

TThheessee tthhrreeee eevviiddeenncceess bbuuiilldd aa ccoommppeelllliinngg ccaassee ffoorr tthheeddiivviinnee oorriiggiinn aanndd hhiissttoorriiccaall rreelliiaabbiilliittyy ooff tthhee BBiibbllee..

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10 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

BByy HH..HH.. PPooppee SShheennoouuddaa IIIIII

[[2255]] HHee DDooeessnn’’tt BBeenneeffiitt!!

There are people who benefit from being punished sinceit leads them to repentance and regret and to correct theirways…And there are those who do not benefit.

WWee hhaavvee aallssoo ccoommee aaccrroossss eexxaammpplleess ooff tthhoossee wwhhoo aarreeppuunniisshheedd wwhhoo nnoott oonnllyy ddoo tthheeyy nnoott bbeenneeffiitt,, bbuutt iinn ffaacctt tthheeooppppoossiittee hhaappppeennss,, aanndd tthheeyy ssiinn mmoorree aanndd mmoorree ddeeeeppllyy……!!

Some resort to grumbling and complaining and provok-ing people, and others, as a way of justifying themselves,resort to lies and claim that they have been treated unjustly.

Others in defending themselves resort to counterattack byspreading blame and false accusations, and in others, punish-ment rouses a feeling of hatred and obstinacy. Oddly enoughsome resort to threats!

NNoonnee ooff tthheessee ttyyppeess bbeenneeffiittss ffrroomm ppuunniisshhmmeenntt bbeeccaauusseetthheeyy llaacckk hhuummiilliittyy aanndd tthhee ddeessiirree ttoo ssaavvee tthheeiirr ssoouullss..

Thus they are deflected from one abyss to another… Afew of them return after a time, seeking forgiveness, notbecause they have repented, but because they have found thatnone of these methods will achieve the desired result.

[[2266]] RRiigghhtt TTiimmiinngg

The element of right timing is a very important elementin every activity, and in every successful project, in every wordspoken and in every request made…

TThheerreeffoorree iinn eevveerryytthhiinngg yyoouu uunnddeerrttaakkee ddoo nnoott ssiimmppllyyaasskk,, ““IIss tthhiiss aaccttiioonn ggoooodd aanndd bbeenneeffiicciiaall??””,, bbuutt aasskk aass wweellll,, ““IIsstthhiiss tthhee rriigghhtt ttiimmee ffoorr iitt??””

TThhaatt iiss bbeeccaauussee iiff iitt iiss nnoott tthhee rriigghhtt ttiimmee ffoorr iitt,, iitt wwiillllnnoott ssuucccceeeedd,, just like plants which if not planted at the righttime, cannot flourish, however good the seeds and howeverexpert their planter.

TTiimmiinngg nneeeeddss ppaattiieennccee,, aanndd tthhee wwiissee ppeerrssoonn iiss aa ppaattiieennttuunnttiill hhee ccaann ddoo tthhee rriigghhtt aaccttiioonn aatt tthhee bbeesstt ttiimmee..

[[2277]] TThhee LLiimmiittss ooff LLeenniieennccyy

You can be tolerant and lenient as far as your own rightsare concerned, but should not be so indulgent when it comesto the rights of others, or the Church, or the general public,or God Your personal right belongs to you, but the right ofthe general public does not.

You ought not to neglect it; it is something deposited intrust or committed to one’s charge and you should protect it.I say this especially to all those in a position of responsibilityor who are entrusted with a charge. (1 Cor. 9:17)?

[[2288]] WWrriittiinngg aanndd tthhee CCoonnsscciieennccee

Whatever writes should put in his mind before writingwhat consequences, effects and reactions are likely to resultfrom it.

A piece of writing is something for which one is respon-sible before, one’s conscience, before God and before its read-ers.

BBlleesssseedd iiss tthhee ppeerrssoonn wwhhoo wwrriitteess wwiitthh hhiiss ccoonnsscciieenncceebbeeffoorree hhiiss ppeenn..

AAnndd bblleesssseedd iiss hhee wwhhoossee wwrriittiinngg ccaann ccaallll ffoorrtthh nnoobbiilliittyyaanndd nnoott sshhaarrpp aarrrroowwss ooff aanniimmoossiittyy..

No one ought to write and publish without consideringthe possible reactions to his work, or just to achieve some per-sonal gain…

[[2299]] WWrroonngg EEssttiimmaattiioonnss

Do you, my Brother, imagine that Herod was strongerthan John the Baptist because he was able to present the headof John the Baptist on a plate?

There is no doubt that he was not! His victim was thestronger.

Herod continued to fear John the Baptist even after hehad had him killed, and when Christ appeared, Herod imag-ined that John had risen from the dead. (Matt. 14:2)

How amazing people’s estimations are! They imaginethere to be strength where there is only weakness and imaginethere to be victory when there is defeat!

[[3300 ]] TTrraannssllaattiinngg FFaaiitthhffuullllyy

If you are translating from a particular writer, author orSaint, then convey his views just as they are in their entirety,and faithfully.

DDoo nnoott ttrryy ttoo hhiiddee tthhoossee wwoorrddss ooff hhiiss wwhhiicchh ddoonn’’tt pplleeaasseeyyoouu,, jjuusstt ppiicckkiinngg ffrroomm hhiiss wwoorrddss oonnllyy wwhhaatt yyoouu iimmaaggiinnee ttoobbee iinn yyoouurr oowwnn iinntteerreessttss aanndd pprreesseennttiinngg iitt aass iiff iitt wweerree hhiisswwhhoollee vviieeww!!!!

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 11

This is not consistent with a faithful translation…

Likewise, if you translate from the Bible itself, take all theverses which are connected with the subject, and do not insertor hide any other verse or verses, otherwise you will be pre-senting your own personal understanding and not the Bible’sinstruction and you will not have translated faithfully.

[[3311]] AA PPiieeccee ooff AAddvviiccee

A certain man used to hand me his notebook on numer-ous occasions for me to write a word of guidance or advice forhim. Yet although he would be very happy at what I had writ-ten for him, he would never put it into practice!

AT the beginning of the year he presented me the samenotebook for me to write some advice for him on the occasionof the New Year, so I wrote him this phrase:

“The one piece of advice which I write for you at thebeginning of this new year is to re-read what I have written foryou before in this notebook”.

[[3322]] GGeettttiinngg iinnttoo DDiiffffiiccuullttiieess

Many people let themselves get involved in relationshipsthat keep on expanding until they get into difficulties andbecome exhausted by them…

These sorts of relationships involve them in complex poli-cies and expose them to information which causes them tolose their simplicity and purity of heart, whether it is true orfalse information.

How nice it would be if a person could set limits to all hisrelationship so that he would not go beyond them to eat fromthe “tree of knowledge of good and evil”.

[[3333]] FFaaiirr SShhaarreess!!

I have a friend and we were going to share some worktogether, and he said to me: “Come on let’s divide up the par-ticular areas of the work between us.

II’’llll hhaavvee tthhee aauutthhoorriittyy aanndd tthhee aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn..

YYoouu ccaann hhaavvee tthhee pprroobblleemmss aanndd bbee iinn cchhaarrggee ooff ssoollvviinnggtthheemm!!!!””

So I smiled, remembering the story of that Bedouin poetwho wanted to share with his companion the task of makingthe bread which they would eat together, and he said to himas he divided up the relative expenses involved in making it:

“You provide the flour and I’ll do the fire:

I’ll bring the water and you provide the butter andhoney”!

[[3344]] BBlleessssiinngg aanndd aann OOrrddeerrllyy AApppprrooaacchh

One of the common mistakes people make is to say, “Letit be according to God’s blessing”, by which they mean thatyou should leave the matter to turn out however it will, with-

out bothering about any system or arrangement or prepara-tion towards it. As though God’s blessing were in some wayopposed to an orderly approach! Or as if such a methodicalway of dealing with a situation were a kind of human wisdomwhich would conflict with His blessings.

Yet a chapter of the Gospel concerned with blessings, inwhich the Lord blessed the five loaves and two fish and satis-fied the crowds, is actually a chapter which shows the workingof order, since the Lord said: “Make them sit down in groupsand lines of fifty and a hundred”. (Luke 9:14, Mark 6:40)

Likewise the distribution was made in an orderly manner:the Lord gave to the disciples and the disciples gave to thecrowds (Matt. 14:19) and what was left over was not thrownon the ground but, “He said to His disciples ‘Gather thepieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted’’’ (John 6:12)So they gathered it and filled twelve baskets.

BBlleessssiinngg aanndd aann oorrddeerrllyy aapppprrooaacchh ggoo ttooggeetthheerr.. AAnn oorrddeerr--llyy aapppprrooaacchh ffaacciilliittaatteess bblleessssiinngg..

[[3355]] RReeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss

At the beginning of my pastoral career I used to receiverecommendations signed by many asking for the ordinationof various people as priests or the consecration of a monk asbishop.

BBuutt II ddiidd nnoott ttrruusstt tthheessee rreeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss aatt aallll::

Some people sign them as a kind of flattery to the otherperson, others sign out of ignorance or fear or embarrassmentbefore those who present them or have them presented ontheir behalf.

Some people sign these petitions without caring whetherthey sign this one or that one or perhaps something quite theopposite…

Some might sign not only for themselves, but on behalfof others too, for their children, friends or relatives, claimingthat they were of the same opinion as themselves, when theseothers might have had quite a different view..!

Perhaps these recommendations represented the view ofone person alone, who had written them up and then collect-ed the signatures of all those who passed him by, who signedjust to follow him.

TThhaatt wwaass wwhhyy II wwoouulldd sseeeekk ttoo ddiissccoovveerr tthhee ooppiinniioonn oofftthhee ppeeooppllee bbyy mmeeeettiinngg tthheemm ddiirreeccttllyy..

Either I would go to them or they would come to me. Iused to distribute pieces of paper to them on which eachcould write what he liked without anyone else reading hisview. I used to benefit very greatly from the information theygave and I would discuss things quite frankly with them…

[[TToo BBee CCoonnttiinnuueedd]]

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BByy FFrr.. AAuugguussttiinnooss RR.. HHaannnnaa ((BBiibbllee SSttuuddyy))

JJoosseepphh1. He was the beloved son of his father (Gen.37:3).

2. Dreamed that the sun, moon and the stars boweddown to him” (Gen. 37:5-10).

3. Joseph was a shepherd of his father’s flock (Gen.37)

4. At age 17, Joseph lost his way in the field while seek-ing his brothers (Gen. 37:2,15).

5. Joseph’s brothers hated him and envied him for hisdreams” (Gen. 37: 4-11).

6. Joseph was handsome in form and appearance” (Gen. 39: 6).

7. Joseph was obedient to his father with pleasureandsaid, “Here I am” (Gen. 37:12).

12 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

TThhee LLoorrdd JJeessuuss CChhrriisstt1. “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”

(Mat 3)

2. Christ holds the stars in His right hand (Rev.2:1) andis praised from the sun, moon and stars of light (Ps.148:2).

3. Christ is the Good Shepherd of His human flock (Jn. 10:11)

4. At age 12, Jesus’ parents did not find Him, then wasfound in the temple doing His Father’s business (Lk.2: 40-50).

5. Jesus said, “They hated Me without cause” (Jn.15:25,and “Pilate knew that because of envy they had delivered Him”

6. “You are fairer than the sons of men” “The brightnessof God and the express image of God” (Ps. 45:2 & Heb.1).

7. Jesus became obedient to the point of death, even thedeath of the cross” (Phil.2:8).

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8. Joseph had the spirit of service; he served at home,at Potiphar’s house, in prison and in Egypt (37-50)

9. When Joseph’ brothers saw him afar off they conspiredagainst him to kill him” (Gen. 37:18).

10. Joseph’s brothers mocked him saying “Look, thisdreamer is coming, let us kill him and see what willbecome of his dreams?”

11. Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his tunic, anddipped it in the blood of a goat to make their father believethat a wild beast has devoured him (Gen37:23).

12. His brothers cast him into an empty pit (Gen.37:24)

13. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver (Gen. 37: 28).

14. The one who suggested selling Joseph was Judah, his brother! (37:36).

15. Joseph was sold as a slave, and worked at Potiphar’shouse as a servant (Gen.37:36).

16. Joseph was forced to go to Egypt, and was sold thereto Potiphar the captain of the guard (Gen. 37:36).

17. Joseph was chaste and pure young man who over-came the temptation of Potiphar’s wife and said, “How can Ido this great wickedness and sin against God” (39:9).

18. Joseph fled the lustful temptation. After 2000 years,St. Paul advised Timothy to “Flee youthful lusts” (2Tim.2:22)

19.Joseph was oppressed and treated unjustly, but he didnot defend himself or complain and kept silent. (Isaiah 53:7and John 19:9, 10).

20. Joseph was put in prison with two transgressors, thechief butler and the chief baker of Pharaoh (Gen.40:1-3).

21. Joseph told the butler who dreamt of the Vine, that heWill be set free and restore his position in the Royal feasts,and told the other that he would be hanged, this interpreta-tion came true (Gen. 40, 41).

22. The mystery in the butler’s salvation was that he sawin his dream “a VINE and he pressed its grapes in thecup”(Gen. 40:9-11).

23. Joseph departed from the prison to glory (Gen. 41).

24. Joseph saved the land of Egypt and all the MiddleEast from the famine (Gen.41, 42).

25. Joseph began his public service at age thirty(Gen.41:46).

26. Pharaoh honored Joseph by giving him aHieroglyphic name, “ZZeepphhnnaatthh PPaaaanneeeehh”” which means “TheRevealer of mysteries (Gen.41:45).

YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 13

8. Jesus is the perfect and greatest servant ever known.He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but toserve and give His life a ransom for many” (Matt.20:28).

9. “Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him todeath” (John 11:53).

10. “The men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Himand struck Him on the face and asked Him saying, ‘Prophesy!Who is it that struck You? (Lk. 22:63). ”When the vine-dressers saw the Son they said, “This is the heir, let us kill Himand seize His inheritance” (Matt. 21:38).

11. “They stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe onHim” (Matt 27:28). Jesus’ robe was dipped in His ownblood (Isa.63:3)

12. Jesus was cast into a real grave, descended to Hades.

13. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).

14.The one who suggested selling Jesus was Judas his dis-ciple (Matt. 26:15; 27: 3).

15. Likewise, the 30 silver pieces were the price of theslave, and He took the form of a servant” (Phil.2:7).

16. Jesus also was forced in His childhood to escape toEgypt from the massacre of Herod (Matt.2:13, 14)

17. Jesus is Holy and Perfect. He had overcome all the temp-tations of the devil and knew no sin (1 Pet.2:22 & 2 Cor. 5:21).

18. Jesus fled from the butchery of Herod, to teach us totake the peaceful way whenever possible(Mat.2)

19. Jesus was oppressed, yet He opened not His mouth

20. Jesus was also imprisoned between trials, and wasnumbered with the transgressors (two thieves).

21. Jesus told the right thief who believed and repented“Today you will be with Me in Paradise” and the left thief whoblasphemed, perished (Luke 23).

22. Jesus said, “I am the True VINE” (Jn.15:1), the Juiceof the grapes symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which is the keyof salvation and remission of sins.

23. Jesus was risen from the dead and ascended to glory

24. The Lord Jesus is the bread of life who saved theworld from the spiritual famine and hell (Jn.6:35).

25. Jesus also started His public service at 30 (Lk 3:23)

26. Joseph was a type of Christ who is the OmniscientGod (see John 4; Matt. 17:27).

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14 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

27. When the people cried to Pharaoh during the famine,he told them, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to youdo it” (Gen. 41: 55).

28. The people of Egypt said to Joseph, “You have saved our lives” (Gen.47:25).

29. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers who did notbelieve at first and were terrified (Gen.45:3).

30. Joseph said to his brothers “Peace be with you. Donot be afraid” (Gen.43:23).

31. Joseph forgave his brothers and did not retaliate ofthem (Gen.50:15-21).

32. The book of Genesis mentioned that Joseph weptthree times (42:24;43:30; 45:14,15).

33. Joseph said to his brothers, “Go up to my father and tell him ‘God has made me lord of all Egypt… and tell himof all my glory” (Gen.45:8-13).

34. Joseph’s brothers bowed down before him, and hisdreams came true despite their plots and crimes.

35. Joseph comforted his brothers and did not blamethem saying: “Do not be grieved nor angry with yourselvesbecause you sold me there; for God sent me before you to preservelife” (45:5).

36. Joseph sent his Royal chariots to bring his fatherJacob to live with him in his glory and said, ‘Do not be con-cerned with about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egyptis yours”

37. When Joseph brought his two sons, Manasseh andEphraim to his father to bless them, Jacob stretched out hishands and laid them on their heads in a cross manner (Gen.48:13-20).

38. Joseph’s brothers felt the sense of guilt and said to oneanother, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother…there-fore this distress has come upon us” (Gen.41:43,44).

39. Pharaoh commanded that every knee must bow downbefore Joseph and said to him, “Without your consent no manlift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 41:43, 44).

40. The Bible says, “So all countries came to Joseph”(41:57)

27. When anyone goes to the heavenly Father, He tellshim, “Go to Jesus…hear Him…whatever He says To you doit” (Matt.17: 5; Jn.14:6 & Jn.2:5).

28. All the millions of people who believe in Christ say toHim, “You have saved our lives”

29. Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after theResurrection, but they were terrified and did not believe atfirst (Luke 24:37).

30. “Jesus said to His disciples,’ Peace be with you…Whyare you troubled…it is I Myself ” (Lk.24: 38)

31. Jesus said on the cross, “Father forgive them for theydo not know what they do” (Lk. 23:43).

32. The New Testament states that Jesus wept three times(Lk.19:41; Jn.11:35 & Heb.5:7).

33. Jesus asked Mary Magdalene to go and tell His bre-thren that He is risen and will see them in Galilee (Matt.28:7).

34.The Lord Jesus received worship from His discipleswhom He called His brethren, and every knee will bow downto Him in the last day (Phil.2:10).

35. Jesus did not blame the Jews or the Romans butcomforted the whole world saying:” Shall I not drink the cupwhich My Father has given Me”

36. The Lord Jesus sends His Royal Chariots and heav-enly angels to carry us to Paradise, as He did with Elija andLazarus and says to us “In My Father’s house are many mansions(Jn.14:2)

37. The position Jacob did was a cross-like manner, indi-cating a prophecy and type to the Cross of Jesus, the key ofevery blessing

38. Judas felt the sense of guilt to the degree that hethrew down the pieces of silver in the Temple and hangedhimself (Matt. 27:5).

39. Jesus said, “AAllll aauutthhoorriittyy hhaass bbeeeenn ggiivveenn ttoo MMee iinnhheeaavveenn aanndd oonn eeaarrtthh”” (Matt.28:18) ““IInn tthhee nnaammee ooff JJeessuuss eevveerryykknneeee sshhoouulldd bbooww iinn hheeaavveenn aanndd oonn eeaarrtthh aanndd uunnddeerr tthhee eeaarrtthh””PPhhiill.. 22::99,, 1100))..

40. That was a type of the Lord Jesus who “has thedominion and glory, that all peoples,nations should serveHim” (Dan. 7:14).

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 15

By

MAGGIE MICHAEL

Associated Press

CAIRO September 27,2012 (AP)

Coptic Christian fami-lies have fled their homes ina town in Egypt’s SinaiPeninsula, fearing for theirlives after receiving deaththreats from suspectedIslamic militants, a localpriest said Thursday.

Father Youssef Sobhi said that Islamic militantsdropped leaflets on the doorsteps of shops owned by Coptsin the city of Rafah near the border with Gaza and Israel,ordering them to leave town within 48 hours and making animplicit warning of violence if they failed to do so. Two dayslater, masked militants on a motorcycle opened fire on oneof the shops before speeding off, Sobhi said. No one washurt in the shooting.

When Christians met Tuesday with the province’s topgovernment official, who was recently appointed by Egypt’snew Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, the governorpromised to facilitate the Copts’ move to the nearby city ofel-Arish but did not offer to protect the community toensure that it stayed in Rafah, according to the priest.

“I was shocked at the governor’s response,” Sobhi said.“This is simply displacement by the govern-ment’s con-sent.” AnEgyptian intelligence official confirmed that a number ofCoptic families had fled Rafah because of a militant threat.It was not exactly clear how many Christians have left thetown, but Sobhi said that the number of Copts in Rafahhad dwindled from 14 families to two since the uprisingthat pushed longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak from powerin February 2011.

A first wave left Rafah afterthe only church in the town,The Holy Family Church, waslooted, torched and destroyedin several militant attacks overthe past year. The church isbuilt on the site whereChristians believe the HolyFamily first stopped to rest aftercrossing into Egypt.

Sobhi was in the first group of Christians to flee, althoughhe returns frequently to Rafah check on his parish.Mamdouh Nasef, the Coptic shop owner who recentlycame under attack, said that his Muslim neighbors are urg-ing him to stay and pledging to protect him.

“They can’t guard me 24 hours a day, and I fear for mychildren,” Nasef said by telephone. “My children were bornhere and Muslims here are like my brothers.”There have been incidents of sectarian violence in Egypt inthe past. In July, in the village of Dahshour south of Cairoa Muslim mob torched Christian homes and shops anddamaged the local church, forcing many Coptic families toflee the village. The violence was sparked when a personaldispute swelled into violence and a Muslim man died.

In Sinai, the threats against the Christians, who areestimated at around 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 85million, are a symptom of the broader lawlessness that hashit the peninsula since the popular uprising oustedMubarak. Since then, security has deteriorated acrossEgypt, particularly in Sinai where heavily armed Islamicgroups have exploited the security vacuum to wage attackson police stations and call for the establishment of anIslamic state.

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16 YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012

““RReemmeemmbbeerr hhooww tthhee LLoorrdd yyoouurr GGoodd lleedd yyoouuaallll tthhee wwaayy iinn tthhee ddeesseerrtt tthheessee ffoorrttyy yyeeaarrss;; ttoohhuummbbllee yyoouu aanndd ttoo tteesstt yyoouu iinn oorrddeerr ttoo kknnoowwwwhhaatt wwaass iinn yyoouurr hheeaarrtt,, wwhheetthheerr oorr nnoott yyoouuwwoouulldd kkeeeepp HHiiss ccoommmmaannddss..”” ((DDeeuutt.. 88::22,,33))

HHaass GGoodd ppeerrffoorrmmeedd aa hheeaarrtt tteesstt oonn yyoouu llaatteellyy??

There are times in our lives when God leads us intothe desert in order to let us find out what is in our heart.These times can be difficult and humbling. They can testour courage. Desert times often mean we are living with-out those things we are normally accustomed to: water,food, shade, limited supplies - and with few comforts. Inmodern terms, it may mean a different environment.God is performing a very important work during thesetimes.

He wants to know if we can be obedient to Him inthese times; or will we be obedient only when times aregood?

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and thenfeeding you with manna, which neither you nor yourfathers had known, to teach you that man does not live

on bread alone but on every word that comes from themouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out andyour feet did not swell during these forty years. Knowthen in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so theLord your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:3-5).

These desert times may mean experiencing new waysof provision from the Lord. Like manna from Heaven, itmay mean seeing miracles we’ve never seen before. Likeclothing that never wears out, it may mean seeing yournormal capabilities expanded. Like walking hundreds ofmiles without pain, desert experiences provide new lessonsand new experiences that only these times can teach us.

What desert experience has He brought into your lifelately? Perhaps it is a lean time in business. Perhaps it isa new environment. Whatever it is, when God decides tobring new disciplines into our lives by bringing us intothe desert, do not fear the heat that is sure to come. Heis walking beside you in order to test you and find outwhat is really in your heart.

AAsskk ffoorr HHiiss ggrraaccee ttoo ppaassss tthhee tteesstt.. HHee wwaannttss ttoo bbrriinnggaallll ooff HHiiss cchhiillddrreenn iinnttoo tthhee PPrroommiisseedd LLaanndd..

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YEAR TWENTY THREE – ISSUE 266 – OCTOBER 2012 17

St. John Church congratulates,DDrr.. RRaammyy HHaannnnaa aanndd hhiiss bbrriiddee CChhrriissttiinnee

for their marriage. May God bless their life together and grant them joy, success and a blessed Christian homebuilt on the Rock. Congratulations to their two families.

* * *OOuurr bbeelloovveedd ssoonn RRaammyy,, && ddaauugghhtteerr CChhrriissttiinnee

We pray that the Lord be in your midst and give you ablessed marriage, filled with love in Christ.

--LLoovvee,, MMaaggddyy aanndd SSuuzzaann HHaannnnaa,, MMaaggeedd,, MMoonniiccaa aanndd SSoopphhiiaa SSoolliimmaann..

***To our lovely daughter, Christin, and a new son, Ramy. MayGod bless you both and grant you a life filled with Christ’s

love, strength and wisdom.--LLoovvee,, AAmmiirr,, NNaahheedd aanndd MMaarrkk BBaarrhhoommaa

***

St. John Church congratulates,GGeeoorrggee EEll--TTookkhhyy && VViicckkyy

On their marriage wishing them a happy, blessed life together full of joy and peace, God’s love,

health and long life.***

St John Church and Sundayschool congratulate

DDaanniieell FFaarraaggfor attending Sunday school

always bringing his own Bibleand Agpya with him every time

he comes to church. He is a goodexample for all kids and adults

who come to church emptyhanded. The church encourages,not only Sunday school students,

but all the youth, adults and senior citizens to do the same.Carrying the Holy Bible is a great blessing in itself. It will bemore blessed to use it, to follow up the speakers and knowits references, to memorize it and keep it. The Lord Jesus

said, ““IIff yyoouu aabbiiddee iinn MMyy wwoorrdd,, yyoouu aarree mmyy ddiisscciipplleess iinnddeeeedd””(John 8:30). Pope Shenouda also used to say, “Keep the

Bible and the Bible will keep you.”

St. John Church congratulatesMMaaggeedd MMeesshhrriikkyy && MMiirriiaamm

On their engagement. May God complete their marriage in joy and peace.

BBeejjaammiinn KKaammeellCongratulations BBeennjjaammiinn

on graduating from CCaalliiffoorrnniiaa SSttaattee UUnniivveerrssiittyy,,

FFuulllleerrttoonn wwiitthh aa BBaacchheelloorr ooffSScciieennccee ddeeggrreeee iinn KKiinneessiioollooggyyaanndd aa mmiinnoorr iinn HHeeaalltthh SScciieennccee

wwiitthh hhoonnoorrss.. We are glorifying God and rejoic-ing in your accomplishments. Ithas been a huge blessing to see

you grow up and mature into a fine young man. We are sothankful and proud of you, and will continue to provideunconditional love and support as you continue onto the

next step.Wishing you a future filled with all God’s blessings and

grace, fulfillment, and the happiness you deserve - LLoovvee,, mmoomm,, ddaadd,, NNaatthhaann

***

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