Sunday School Corner

A brother asked Abba Poemen, "Is it better to speak or to be silent?" The old man said to him, "The one who speaks for God's sake does well; but the one who is silent for God's sake also does well."
+ Abba Poemen +
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You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
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There are very many of us who are only one step away from happiness. And the rest of us who are several steps away or even a leap’s worth away from happiness are also just within its reach if we can find one particular gift missing from our lives. And our duty is to find this gift, not really to acquire it, because it is already latent in each one of us. It is a capacity we are all born with yet which constantly evades our notice. It is a quality of life which the Holy Bible mentions so often and which the desert monks brought to so full a fruition in their lives. When we have acquired nearly everything, it is usually the one thing missing. And any long-time pilgrim you may meet on the journey of happiness has long ago found this special gift. The quality or gift we are speaking of is what is usually called Contentment, an inner state of life which St. Paul said he continually experienced despite the reckless happenings of his outer life (Phil 4:12).
Living as a youth in the contemporary society of today admittedly makes the life of contentment seem somewhat harder to achieve. Everything works against it: materialism fills the air almost everywhere one goes, and new possessions to be had are unendingly flaunted before us in television commercials and magazines. The pursuit of physical beauty has run amok; and the last thing that society will admit that makes for an enjoyable Friday night is a peaceful stay at home with family or a good book. Modern society will not help us in our pursuit of contentment. The best way to get people constantly buying products is to make them discontented with themselves and with their lives. A content young man or woman will not be a good target for expensive clothing sellers or the cosmetic industry. And that is why we have a crowd of people specialized in creating commercials and advertisements with the direct purpose of making us forget that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Tim 6:7).
And so, since we exist in the "midst of much," or maybe because we are simply human, we find the lack of contentment to be a spiritual disorder afflicting perhaps ninety-something percent of us: we live in a monotonous and endless state of want. You may begin to attempt acquiring whatever is it you really need, whatever it is that will set you equal with that person whose life is just a notch “better;” the typical statement is, “Once I have gotten that, then the rest of my life from then on will be really quite all right.” But one problem with this thinking is that contentment will never come of it—it was never waiting for you to acquire anything in the first place. The second problem is that it might not be God’s intention that you have that particular thing (or status or skill or knowledge) at all.
And this is the snag we are caught in. When a person hopes to find his happiness by getting some one last thing that will finally make his life “complete,” he will end up chasing his tail like a poor puppy. He will be running in feverish circles of desiring and acquiring, getting and needing more, and there is no way out. Simple contentment with who you are here and now—who God made you—is the only answer.
In fact, the moment you are granted this gift by God, after long periods of beseeching, you will be surprised by the flood of fullness and joy that suddenly overtakes the soul. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim 6:6). St. John Chrysostom had a special love for this quality. For him, contentment was one of the primary requisites of the good life. It was the one golden coin that all the money-collectors of the world lacked.
A rich man, he would say, could own wealth and land and social distinction and be the envy of the city— but one thing he had to give up for all these was a peaceful life. A man cannot own a thousand acres of land and not worry about them. “If a man choose, he will find that poverty affords us more resources even for pleasure. How? Because it is freed from cares, hatred, fighting, contention, strife, from evils out of number. Therefore let us not follow after wealth, no be forever envying those who possess much.”
And so, his conclusion was, be content with what you have. Try not to seek for so many of the things you do not have; you can just as well live happily without them. But all these words must be balanced by noting that godly contentment does not mean we ought to stop pursuing improvement and achievement in life. God does not require that I serenely give up trying to enter pharmacy school or trying to find a marriage partner or to stop looking for stability in my life. I may pursue them, and even pursue vigorously—but all in God’s good time. And here is where we find contentment to be inextricably tied up with another essential virtue: patience. Contentment demands that I be willing to wait for God to bring about any desired changes in my life. I cannot go faster than God’s providence. I must be content with how things are here and now—today—although I can have a subtle and sober trust that God has plans for a new and fresh tomorrow. But I must not rush things. I shall be content today. Everything is in God’s good time; this is the essence of hope. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb 6:19). But the simplest and truest method of finding contentment is of course to be found in the Holy Bible. When Moses was dividing up the Promised Land for the twelve tribes of Israel, Levi was the only tribe not given anything: “But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance” (Josh 13:33). God was telling them, and still tells us, “You will never be in want when you have Me. Come to Me, and you will be full.” Contentment becomes no longer an elusive gift when God is with us; He grants it to us as a permanent pleasure. And as a seal on His promise to make us full, He vows never to leave us: “Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper’” (Heb13:5,6).
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In this Issue:
The Feast of Transfiguration
Sayings of our blessed fathers
YOU SAY, ... GOD SAYS
An article I liked
In one line
Happy Birthday Wishes





Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor. The Feast of the Transfiguration is considered one of the seven Minor Feasts of the Lord. The Transfiguration is mentioned in Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36.
It is stated in both St. Matthew's and St. Mark's Holy Gospels those six days after the Lord's conversation with His disciples regarding the Cross-, He took St. Peter, St. James and St. John on a high mountain and was transfigured before them. St. Luke alludes to the same story but the length after the Lord's conversation was eight days. Is there a contraindication in Holy Scripture? No, it is thought that St. Luke counted the day of His conversation about the Cross-and the day of the Transfiguration; and that St. Matthew and St. Mark did not count those two days. This explains why St. Luke used the phrase, "about eight days after," while St. Matthew and St. Mark mentioned that it "was after six days." Is there a link between the event of the Transfiguration and the events of the day on which the Lord Jesus Christ announced His Cross to His Disciples? Yes, otherwise why would the Evangelists have linked the Transfiguration to the events of that day! (Read the article on pages 4 & 5)

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Hail, full of grace!
For grace is bestowed on individuals by portions,
but on Mary it was bestowed in all its plenitude!
Fr. Peter Chrysologus

Hail to Mary,
the beautiful dove,
who brought forth God, the Word!
The conclusion of the Prayers at night

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You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

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The events of that day can be summarized in the following:
1) The question of the Lord of Glory to His disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" along with St. Peter's declaration that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
2) The discourse of the Lord of Glory to His disciples about the Cross and St. Peter's rebuke to Him, then the Lord Christ's rebuke to St. Peter due to his refusal of the issue of the Cross.
3) The Lord Jesus Christ's teaching regarding the need to carry the Cross-as a condition to following Him and to the salvation of the soul.
4) The Lord Christ ended His conversation by declaring His Second Coming and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."

We can deduct from these events that the Lord Jesus, prior to talking to the disciples about His Cross and Passion, wanted to confirm their faith in Him as the Son of the Living God. This was necessary in order that they would not be shaken seeing Him upon the Holy Cross. This was the reason He rebuked St. Peter when He told him, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" And the Lord declared to them that the main condition of following Him was to carry the Cross. Then He again confirmed to them that He was the Son of the Living God who shall come in His Father's Glory to reward each according to his works. The Lord Jesus Christ concluded His conversation by saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom," as a confirmation to them that He Himself is the Son of the Living God. The Transfiguration was a very powerful happening, which was needed to manifest His Divinity and His Glory to them after six days or on the eighth day. The number "six" symbolizes the Cross-since the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the sixth day and in the sixth hour, while the number "eight" symbolizes the Holy Resurrection. On the eighth day of His entry into Jerusalem He rose from the dead. It also represents the Second Coming, since God created the world in six days; we are now in the seventh day, and the Second Coming will be the eighth day of Creation. With this in mind, the Transfiguration of the Lord of Glory is an announcement of His Crucifixion and of His Glory as God. This is why we find that His conversation with Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Him was about "His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31), meaning His Cross which is His Kingdom, for the Lord has reigned over us through His Cross and His true throne is the Holy wood of the Cross as the Psalm says, "the Lord has reigned on a wood." His face, which shone like the sun, and His clothes, which became as white as the light are declaration of the Glory of His Divinity. The voice of the Father, which came out saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" is a testimony to His Sonship to God the Father. We thus see in the Transfiguration a declaration to the Son's Divinity, Glory, and Kingdom. And in this we realize that the Kingdom which the Lord of you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom," is His reign on the Cross which He declared to us by His Transfiguration.
The Glory of the Son, which was manifested on the Mount of the Transfiguration, is our glory. "And the Glory which You gave Me I have given them" (John 17:22). This is why Moses and Elijah also "appeared in Glory" (Luke 9:31). But we cannot separate between the Son's Glory and His Cross. This is why if we want to partake with Him in His Glory, we must carry the Cross everyday, that is, continuously, as the Lord of Glory said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me…. For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own Glory, and in His Father's and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:23-26). This is what the apostles recognized and declared to us, as St. Paul the apostle said, "If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be Glorified together" (Romans 8:17).
The apparition of Moses and Elijah with the Lord Jesus Christ symbolizes the witness of the Law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) to Him; and that the life of chastity (Elijah) or the Communion of Holy Marriage (Moses), both make us worthy to receive Eternal Glory. Moses is the one emerging from the water, a symbol of Holy Baptism, and Elijah is the fiery prophet, a symbol of filling with the Holy Spirit. Moses further symbolizes humbleness and patience as the Holy Bible testifies of him (Numbers 12:3) and Elijah represents strength and courage in the truth. Moses symbolizes the life of service and Elijah the life of solitude and retreat.
We also notice that the Transfiguration occurred "as He prayed" on the mountain (Luke 9:29). We also receive this Glory if we rise above the world, its love and its lusts, far above on top of the high mountains, lifting up not just our eyes and hands but our hearts to God in a life of perpetual prayer saying: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).
The Feast of the Transfiguration is a declaration of the Glory, which is prepared for us, and of the way to it. Therefore, my beloved, let us carry our cross, belittling the sufferings, knowing that "our light affliction," which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and Eternal way of Glory (II Corinthians 4:17).

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"Don't let your worries get the best of you, remember, Moses started out as a basket case."

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End of Issue No. 34

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"Hail.... to Mary, Mother of God,
majestic treasure of the whole world,
the lamp unquenchable,
the crown of virginity,
the sceptre of Orthodoxy,
the indestructible temple,
the dwelling of the Illimitable,
Mother and Virgin ..
Hail to You, who contained Him,
Who cannot be contained in your holy virginal womb".

St. Cyril of Alexandria

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You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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Traits of Simplicity, (the “Good Ground”) (cont. from last week)
+ Obedience
+ Innocence
+ Modesty
+ Affability
The mother of God is recorded to have done lots of merciful acts to the extent of giving away her food (oral tradition). The little that the four gospels have recorded about St. Mary reveals her loving character to her relatives, neighbors and her Son’s disciples. As a prayerful, sociable person, she did not miss being with the apostles the night of the descent of the Holy Spirit; thus receiving the Holy Spirit just like them, although she was not assigned the service of Evangelism.
+ Transparency
Having been purified by the Holy Spirit, the blessed Virgin became golden both in her inward and outward man. The Old Testament refers to her purity and transparency by the Covenant tabernacle which was gilded from inside and outside. Thus the Blessed Virgin Mary knew neither cunning, vile, duality, nor deceit.
+ Flexibility
A woman of no choices and no preferences, the Blessed Virgin Mary was so flexible to all circumstances and surprises. Travelling from one inn to the other only to be met with closed doors, giving birth to her Lord and Savior in a manger, and a lot of other hardships were just means to strengthening her endurance and patience and preparing her for the grand performance, that of seeing her Son go to the cross of His own accord for no crime he had committed.
+ Receptivity
No one can fathom the magnitude of the message delivered by a messenger from heaven to a fourteen year old simple Jewish girl. The only inquiry that the Virgin Mary allowed herself to make was concerning the logical impossibility of such an event to take place “How can this be, since I do not know a man” (Luke 1:34). The angel’s answer to her question, if submitted to human logic and analysis, would not be much of a help to anyone who is not anchored in faith. Yet St. Mary was totally, obediently receptive. Again, she received the Prophetic Word from Simon the Elder concerning her anguish for her son’s agony with receptivity and obedience “yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35).
That is why she had been rewarded with the Prophetic Word that she will be honored by all generations “henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
+ Perceptivity
St. Mary’s perceptivity resulted from the wisdom the Holy Spirit had granted her. She was a woman of no “idle” talk. The four gospels have recorded only four phrases uttered by the Mother of God. She was more of actions than words; for the former speak louder than the latter. In spite of the wonders that she saw and heard happen before her, she kept everything in her heart “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19). To no one, not even her Son’s disciples did she talk about her Son and the time before He started His ministry at the age of thirty.
+ Readiness
The Mother of God is an emblem of genuine humility in genuine service. Any other woman, having known, who she was about to become because of Who she was carrying in her womb, would have sat and rightfully expected myriads of angels to come and serve her. Instead, we see St. Mary had forgotten herself and got concerned about Elizabeth, her relative who was great with a child in her sixth month. She hurried to visit her and stayed almost three months there, only to disappear before the other women came; thus escaping mention; “and Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house” (Luke 1:56). St. Mary’s readiness got the hundred fold reward. For before she had time to announce the glory that had been bestowed on her, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb declared it bowing down in honor and worship to the King of Kings that she was carrying.
+ Vulnerability
In spite of the fact that she was the mother of God, St. Mary proclaimed her need for salvation just like any other human being “my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47) calling herself “maiden” rather than queen or lady of Honor.
+ Power
“Awesome as an army with banners”, St. Mary’s powerful simplicity was functional before and after her departure to heaven. We see her exercising her maternal power when she went looking for her missing Son even in the temple; and in a very few authoritative words she let Him know how she felt about His disappearance from home (Luke 2:48). A word from her convinced her Lord and Savior to go out of His way, divert His plan and perform His first miracle at the Wedding of Cana. Mistaken are those who think that the role of St. Mary ended with her delivery of her Son. On the contrary the power of that “Dove of Noah’s Arc” is still functional. History records stories and stories of the Virgin Mary performing acts of power. One of the most interesting stories is when she repeatedly appeared to Caliph Maamoun, forcing him to write a letter to command the prince to stop ruining the churches in Egypt. When he protested that he had no messenger to carry the letter from Syria to Egypt, she exercised her ultimate power by carrying it herself in a dove–like capacity. Thousands of years before the appearance of St. Mary on the stage of history, the Old Testament’s prophets prophesied about this simple, obedient, innocent, loving, receptive, perceptive, powerful Jewish girl who deserved to be chosen to become the Mother of the Savior of humanity. She has been likened to “Noah’s dove” (Genesis 8:8-12) bringing about good tidings; a cloud ridden by Christ (Isaiah 19:1), Golden Censor (Hebrews 9:4), Aaron’s rod (Numbers 17:1-10), the Golden Lamp (Exodus 25:31- 35) to mention just a very few. May the prayers and supplications of St. Mary, the Mother of our God be with us all. Amen.

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There was an old lady living in a village. She had never owned or been in a car before. One day she was returning home from the supermarket, carrying a big heavy basket on her head. A rich man was riding his car and saw her. He was kind enough to offer her to drive her home because of her heavy basket.
She thanked him and entered the car. On the way, the man glanced to the lady in the mirror, and he noticed that she was still holding the basket over her head. Astonished, he asked her to put down the basket and rest. The old lady naively replied: Oh my son, your car is carrying me and this is enough, I should not burden it carrying my basket too.
What an innocently funny response!
We do the same with God.
He carries us through the day and still we insist on carrying our heavy baskets of worries and fear of the future, work, money, marriage, kids, spouse and family.
We are carried by almighty hands and watched over by sleepless eyes, so please stop carrying your worries.

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A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal,
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in!

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In this Issue:
St. Mary's Fast - We welcome H G Abba Daneil
St. Mary's Fast - Arabic front page
Sayings of the Fathers
God blessed us with this history (2)
St Mary: An icon of simplicity (1)
St Mary: An icon of simplicity (2)
A Quiz
St. Mary's Symboles
Happy Birthday wishes