Arabic original here.
The 71st Anniversary of the Movement
Mar Elias School, Mina
Saturday, March 16, 2013
The Lord Jesus says in the Gospel of John, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:23-24).
These words completely apply to our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for the fruit of our salvation. However, it also applies to us who believe in Jesus if we want to resemble Him and strive to purchase our own salvation and the salvation of those around us today.
The issue is that of our witness. It is no longer limited to and focused on spreading the word, preaching, excessive advertising and controversy on Facebook and emails... We are in need in the Church of people, and especially of youth who in their lives defy the pattern of worldly consumerism in order to embody the Gospel and move beyond these electronic media and even fast from this information technology that often occupies our children without nourishing their souls.
Beloved brothers, let me speak to you frankly and say that the Movement is not a party that is closed in on itself, struggling to persist and continue within the Church. I will day to say what Father Elias Morcos, of eternal memory, once said, "The Movement was created so that a time might come when there is no longer any need for its existence." I do not at all mean that we are not in pressing need today of Movement youth. On the contrary, what I want to say is that we are in need of good leaven in our society today, and good leaven dissolves in order to leaven the entire dough so in the end it will become good to eat. Let us resemble members of the Movement who sacrificed themselves and bore good fruit according to the model of the righteous Metropolitan Boulos (Bendaly) and our beloved brother Elie Obeid who recently departed from us.
The Gospel of the righteous ones whom we celebrate today says, "when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 3:4-6).
God alone, if He desires to reveal our good work, allows people to see the light on our faces: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Finally, I will mention what Patriarch Ignatius, of thrice-blessed memory said, "An Orthodox is someone who lives as a monk wherever he is, in the midst of the world." This is what we need today, monks in the midst of the world. This is how I envision the Movement...
Peace and forgiveness, and have a joyous feast!
+Ephrem
Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies
The 71st Anniversary of the Movement
Mar Elias School, Mina
Saturday, March 16, 2013
The Lord Jesus says in the Gospel of John, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:23-24).
These words completely apply to our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for the fruit of our salvation. However, it also applies to us who believe in Jesus if we want to resemble Him and strive to purchase our own salvation and the salvation of those around us today.
The issue is that of our witness. It is no longer limited to and focused on spreading the word, preaching, excessive advertising and controversy on Facebook and emails... We are in need in the Church of people, and especially of youth who in their lives defy the pattern of worldly consumerism in order to embody the Gospel and move beyond these electronic media and even fast from this information technology that often occupies our children without nourishing their souls.
Beloved brothers, let me speak to you frankly and say that the Movement is not a party that is closed in on itself, struggling to persist and continue within the Church. I will day to say what Father Elias Morcos, of eternal memory, once said, "The Movement was created so that a time might come when there is no longer any need for its existence." I do not at all mean that we are not in pressing need today of Movement youth. On the contrary, what I want to say is that we are in need of good leaven in our society today, and good leaven dissolves in order to leaven the entire dough so in the end it will become good to eat. Let us resemble members of the Movement who sacrificed themselves and bore good fruit according to the model of the righteous Metropolitan Boulos (Bendaly) and our beloved brother Elie Obeid who recently departed from us.
The Gospel of the righteous ones whom we celebrate today says, "when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 3:4-6).
God alone, if He desires to reveal our good work, allows people to see the light on our faces: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Finally, I will mention what Patriarch Ignatius, of thrice-blessed memory said, "An Orthodox is someone who lives as a monk wherever he is, in the midst of the world." This is what we need today, monks in the midst of the world. This is how I envision the Movement...
Peace and forgiveness, and have a joyous feast!
+Ephrem
Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies
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