I congratulate our Muslim brethrens in “Egypt”, the Arab world and the whole world on the celebration of “Eid Al-fitr”. I beseech God to grant all of us joy and peace, praying for Egypt’s peace, prosperity and safety.
In the former article I discussed the idea of leaving God that considered a detachment of Life’s Giver and its Source. It resembles throwing oneself to the waves of a rough sea and going into a never ending cycle of stress, worry, loss and forsaking real happiness.
Abandonment may include giving up on one’s family: parents, wife or children. It is considered disclaiming of one’s role in life and a deviation from the right path and the mission man is entrusted to have. Each one of us chooses his path in life which won’t always be all roses. There are duties and responsibilities to hold and we should do them honestly till the last minute of our life. However, if man neglected them, he would get nowhere and lose his purpose in life.
All religions give a great importance to man’s relation with his parents. The Holy Bible says ” Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12.The Qur’an says, “And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty (30) months”. All religions forbid mistreatment of parents; the Bible warns that “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death” and “He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”Qur’an recommends that “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small. “.As taking care of parents and making them happy is a great responsibility that should be carried by any son or daughter and God will ask them about it on doomsday. Man’s role toward his wife and children is likewise. Forsaking this role or giving up on it is unacceptable according to religious and human principles too. A man forsaking family destroys not only his life but also theirs. The secret to family strength is in sincerely performing each one of its members their role toward the rest of the family and mutual love they give to one another. Thus, family should resemble a string of beads that can’t be broken or if not, it would be so loose or lost one of its beads; as a result all its beads would fall down easily. Man will hold responsibility for his family and for the things he could have done to them yet he had not.
Therefore, dear reader, you should not search for ways to evade your responsibilities and don’t think that you would be happy and comfortable if you did that. Giving up on responsibilities of life would not guarantee you comfort and happiness. As great people are defined by the way they patiently and wisely challenge obstacles and difficulties and adhere to their principles in life. To be continued…
Anba Ermiah,
General Bishop & President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
