In the former article I spoke of the commemoration of the Holy Family to Egypt in a journey that began at Bethlehem and continued through the Egyptian land till “the Qousqam Mountain” where El-Meharaq monastery is situated. The Holy Family has stayed in Egypt for 3 years and a half. Now I am going to continue our talk about the journey. There are many important lessons we can learn from it. One of them is:
Good and evil:
People welcomed the Holy Family when They came to Egypt, showering them with gifts. Some of them protected The Holy Family from their trackers who wanted to lay hands on Them. While others mistreated Them that they left hastily. The good received their reward; the Holy Family blessed their places leaving behind some of great monuments like “Virgin Mary’s tree” and water springs. God doesn’t forget any good deed, but rather He, the Maker of all blessings, rewards each man according to his deeds whether good or bad, as God, Glory be to His Name, is Just, but long suffering and gives everyone a chance to do good deeds.
One of the privileges that God gives to Egypt is the multitude of its spiritual occasion. Muslims began “Ramadan’s fast” few days ago and soon Christians will begin “Apostles’ fast”, thus the nation shares its fasts. Prayers and supplications will rise from every area in Egypt. All the Egyptians’ hearts are directed to God. Hence, I congratulate the Egyptians on the commencement of praying and fasting days. May God accept our prayers and supplications and keep Egypt powerful and away from evil.
Good deeds and fasts:
Good deeds are related to the spiritual acts in order to have a reverend and righteous life with God. These acts include fasts and prayers.
Fasts are of the most important times when man can practice virtues that he wants to have in his life. They also help him to positively think, feel and act toward other persons. When man fasts, he practices patience and tolerance and experiences how needy people feel hunger and thirst. These experiences promote his empathy toward anyone in need, thus fast turns him into a merciful giver who helps the needy and the week. I don’t mean the materialistic needs only, but I meant all kinds of need: the physical, psychological and spiritual too. Anyone who practices fasting must have a tender heart that feels for the pain and need of every soul ever without their request.He won’t save an effort to help people realizing how painful hard times could be. This is how good deeds spread like rays of light in the dark routes of life, Many, many happy returns of the day, May God Keep Egypt safe and peaceful.
Anba Ermiah, General Bishop& President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
