Spiritual Words. Beginning of the Fast of the Nativity.

[Mark Sadek]

Beginning of the Fast of the Nativity (Advent) in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

"Fasting is the change of every part of our life, because the sacrifice of the fast is not the abstinence but the distancing from sins. Therefore, whoever limits the fast to the deprivation of food, he is the one who, in reality, abhors and ridicules the fast. Are you fasting? Show me your fast with your works. Which works? If you see someone who is poor, show him mercy. If you see an enemy, reconcile with him. If you see a friend who is becoming successful, do not be jealous of him! If you see a beautiful woman on the street, pass her by."

St. John Chrysostom, On Fasting.

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"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory."  Psalm 73:23-24

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The Gospel reading for the 16th of the Coptic month of Hatour, November 25:
32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 41 Then Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.  Luke 12:32-44
The Beginning of the Fast of the Nativity (Advent) in the Coptic Orthodoc Church.
The Consecration of the Church of St. Abu-Nofer (Onuphrius).
Martyrdom of Saint Yostus, the Bishop.
Martyrdom of St. Anba Wannas.

The Gospel reading for the 17th of the Coptic month of Hatour, November 26: John 10:1-16
Second day of the Fast of the Nativity.
Departure of Saint John Chrysostom.

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Prayer Requests:
If you have an update on a prayer request, please let me know.

Please remember the following in your prayers:

Sherry - Cancer.
Y - Anxiety.
Kamal D. - Cancer.
Luis F - Advanced respiratory disease
MH - Drug Addiction
Sophie - born premature
Mary D. - Cancer
Karas A. - Child in need of 3 surgeries
Vincent - Shoulder surgery
Abe - Back surgery
Luz R - Cancer
Z - Transient Ischemic Attack
Sherif
Talaat
Elvia - Cancer
M F - Purity
Ensaf - Surgery
Beverly - Cancer
PP - Breast Cancer
SC - Anxiety/ Strength
Mark - Anger, anxiety and job success
M Biju - Paralyzed from an accident
Vero - Brain tumor
Antonius - Crohn's disease
Theo - Anger
Henry - Cancer
M H - Colon cancer
E - A young girl with Crohn's disease
Moura - Stage 3 cancer
Christina - Depression
Theodore - Heart surgery
Elizabeth - Rheumatoid arthritis
Thomas - Mental illness
Mira M's family
Lialie E. - born with heart and spine issues
Yus - Stress and Anxiety
Teresa - Serious complications from diabetes
Jessenia W - Bipolar depression
Sam - Drugs Addiction
B.E.
Hannah - Battling epilepsy, depression and anxiety
Yaga - Cancer

The unity of the Churches and all Christians.

Egypt and the Christians in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia and Pakistan. "Blessed is Egypt My people." Isaiah 19:25

Please pray for the peace and safety of the world.

Please remember me in your prayers.

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

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