Spiritual Words. Start of The Holy Lent

[Mark Sadek]

Start of The Holy Lent.

"Fasting is a medicine. But medicine, as beneficial as it is, becomes useless because of the inexperience of the user. He has to know the appropriate time that the medicine should be taken and the right amount of medicine and the condition of the body which is to take it, the weather conditions and the season of the year and the appropriate diet of the sick and many other things. If any of these things are overlooked, the medicine will do more harm than good. So, if one who is going to heal the body needs so much accuracy, when we care for the soul and are concerned about healing it from bad thoughts, it is necessary to examine and observe everything with every possible detail."

St. John Chrysostom, On Fasting.

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"The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!"  Psalm 22:26

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The Gospel reading for the 17th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 24:
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road? 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me. 38 Now John answered Him, saying, Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us. 39 But Jesus said, Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. 42 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 44 where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 46 where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- 48 where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 49 For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.  Mark 9:33-50
1st Day Of The Holy Lent (Preparation Week).
Martyrdom of St. Mina (Menas), the Monk.

The Gospel reading for the 18th of the Coptic month of Amshir, February 25: Luke 12:41-50
Departure of St. Malatius the Confessor, Patriarch of Antioch.

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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:

P - Surgery on 2-19
Sherry - Cancer and had surgery on 1-28
Y - Anxiety.
Kamal D. - Cancer.
Luis F - Advanced respiratory disease
MH - Drug Addiction
Mary D. - Cancer
Karas A. - Child in need of 3 surgeries
Luz R - Cancer
Z - Transient Ischemic Attack
Mark - Anger, anxiety and job success
Antonius - Crohn's disease

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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