“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) These are the words that our Lord Jesus wanted to implant in hearts of His disciples at the end of His mission on earth, so that the church becomes one heart and one spirit. Love is what keeps the unity of the church, like the nerves that connect the whole body to the head, and allow each member to feel one another.

The miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ when He raised the son of the widow of Nain is one that is only mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke (Luke 7: 11-17). It is one of the three miracles regarding raising the dead mentioned in details in the Bible, along with raising the daughter of Jairus (Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8), and raising Lazarus (John 11).

This unique miracle took place at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, and it is only mentioned in the Gospel of Saint Luke (Luke 5: 1-11). This miracle is full of magnificent meanings, let’s see some of them:

She grew up as a young woman in the second half of the fourth century in the city of Alexandria. When she was about thirteen yeas old, her father died, and her youthful energy burst out immersing herself in the worst form of sin and defilement. She indulged in obscene songs, lewd behavior, drunkenness, promiscuous dancing, fornication, and adultery to the lowest level of moral decay.

This is from the third Psalm, with which we pray Matins prayer everyday and it is one of the Psalms that consoles the soul. It was written by David the prophet through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He sang it while he was in difficult circumstances, when his son Absalom stirred up and rose against him to kill him and take the kingdom from him. However, David escaped from evil, and resorted to God in prayers, tears, and supplications, confident that Salvation is only in Him (2 Sam. 15-18). Here, we see the power of faith in God in such harsh situations.

One of the most outstanding things I read in near past are some of the situations in the life of Saint John the short. I would like to present some of these situations so that we all can benefit from them:

Pope Cyril VI, Kyrellos the 6th, is one of the greatest patriarchs who have been seated in the see of Saint Mark the Apostle.  Although he was not famous for preaching with sermons, he was a school of teaching, in his own rite, by example, advice, and fatherly parental guidance. He believed that a heart that is not influenced by a good role model of a righteous life, it is difficult to be influenced by words and sermons.  Nonetheless, pope Kyrellos, never held back any spiritual guidance and practical advice, from many of his children, whether verbally in a direct manner or by the written word.

This beautiful verse is one of words of the Lord Jesus according to the Gospel of John. He used it in His conversation with the Jews when they insulted him by saying “Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon? Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.’ ” (John 8: 48-50)

Today is the second of Tout, September 12, the church celebrates the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. The church commemorates this great saint several times each year, on the annunciation, on his birth, his martyrdom, and other feasts dedicated for moving his head and body. He is the one that Jesus said about him that he is greater than a prophet, and that among those born of women there is no greater prophet than him (Luke 7:28). He also said that he was the burning and shining lamp (John 5:35). The bible witnessed to him that he is the angel sent from God (Matthew 11:10) to prepare the way before the coming of Christ.

The following are excerpt from a spiritual message that was sent by Pope Theonas, the 16th Patriarch of Alexandria to one of his Christian children. He worked as the chief custodian of the Imperial Palace during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.

في الموعظة على الجبل، فتح السيد المسيح فاه، وبدأت أنهار النعمة تنساب من شفتيه بعذوبة فيّاضة، لاتزال تروي البشريّة حتّى اليوم.. وكانت التطويبات التسعة في البداية هي المفاتيح الذي استخدمها الرب لكي يفتح بها قلوب السامعين.. حتّى يستطيع بعدها أن يبني دستوره ومبادئه داخلهم..!

I write these words while I'm in the air between heaven and earth. I am on my way from Chicago to Boston to attend the priests’ seminar for North and South America led by the shepherd of shepherds, the beloved holy father, Pope Shenouda III.