Contemplations • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

“Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God.” Luke 6:20 . “The evangelists began their beatitudes by this phrase, for it is the first according to the arrangement, and it is the mother that begets all other virtues. By scorning the possessions of this life, you deserve the eternal possessions. But if you are imprisoned to the passions of the world, then it is quite impossible to float on the top.” He also adds, “Not all the poor ones are blessed, for poverty is a negative process, for these are righteous poor people and others are evil ones.…

“Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God.” Luke 6:20 . “The evangelists began their beatitudes by this phrase, for it is the first according to the arrangement, and it is the mother that begets all other virtues. By scorning the possessions of this life, you deserve the eternal possessions. But if you are imprisoned to the passions of the world, then it is quite impossible to float on the top.” He also adds, “Not all the poor ones are blessed, for poverty is a negative process, for these are righteous poor people and others are evil ones.…

Aug 30, 2016

“for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” Luke 21:15 . “It is as if the Lord is telling His disciples ‘Do not fear, go to the battle, it is I who will fight; you will utter and it is I who will speak’. St Gregory the Great #witness #mouthandwisdom #donotfear #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” Luke 21:15 . “It is as if the Lord is telling His disciples ‘Do not fear, go to the battle, it is I who will fight; you will utter and it is I who will speak’. St Gregory the Great #witness #mouthandwisdom #donotfear #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Aug 29, 2016

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 . . . James is not trying to take away our freedom to decide, but he is showing us that it is not just what we want that matters. We need God’s grace to complement our efforts and ought to rely…

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 . . . James is not trying to take away our freedom to decide, but he is showing us that it is not just what we want that matters. We need God’s grace to complement our efforts and ought to rely…

Aug 28, 2016

“not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1Peter 3:9 . “Let your mouth continually administer blessing, and you will not be reviled. Reviling begets reviling, and blessing begets blessing.” St Isaac the Syrian #blessing #notreturningevilforevil #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1Peter 3:9 . “Let your mouth continually administer blessing, and you will not be reviled. Reviling begets reviling, and blessing begets blessing.” St Isaac the Syrian #blessing #notreturningevilforevil #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Aug 27, 2016

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 . “Of what use to me are the pleasures of the world? What do I have to do with the world’s attractions? I would rather die with Christ than possess all the corners of the world. I only ask for Christ who has died for our sake, and also rose for our sake. The hour for my birth has drawn near. Forgive me my brethren, let me live, leave me to die. I wish to be with God. Do not…

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 . “Of what use to me are the pleasures of the world? What do I have to do with the world’s attractions? I would rather die with Christ than possess all the corners of the world. I only ask for Christ who has died for our sake, and also rose for our sake. The hour for my birth has drawn near. Forgive me my brethren, let me live, leave me to die. I wish to be with God. Do not…

Aug 26, 2016

“but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” Mark 10:43,44 . Relocation of the Relics of Saint Macarius the Great. As the abbot of his monastery, Abba Marcarius dealt with many problems and always solved them in a humbled manner. It was reported to him through the monks of the monastery that a particular monk had allowed a woman to enter his cell. Abba Macarius did not reprimand nor scold this monk. The monks continued to wait for the woman’s return. Upon discovering…

“but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” Mark 10:43,44 . Relocation of the Relics of Saint Macarius the Great. As the abbot of his monastery, Abba Marcarius dealt with many problems and always solved them in a humbled manner. It was reported to him through the monks of the monastery that a particular monk had allowed a woman to enter his cell. Abba Macarius did not reprimand nor scold this monk. The monks continued to wait for the woman’s return. Upon discovering…

Aug 25, 2016