"Death is swallowed up in victory. O' Death, where is your Sting?" 1Cor 15:54-55
By Shadi
Sifain
Recently, there has been a great loss and a great gain. Amidst
our loss, Heaven has declared a victory. How fortunate are you angels,
prophets and Saints, for the one that we have had for such a short time,
will be with you forever. On earth you were a priest, one deserving
of his title - a shepherd who tended to his flock with great love.
You were a teacher who opened his heart and mind and taught us the Word
of God and our traditions. You were a leader and a servant who put
his children, the youth, as his priority. Abouna Mina Rewais reflected
the true image of God, a person who exemplified service with weekly youth
meetings, deacons meeting, Bible discussions, Sunday School and Servants
meetings - The summer camp which you made sure to start off by attending
and blessing the first session before leaving to Egypt. A monthly
Divine Liturgy in English to encourage our youth to attend the Holy Service.
Abound Mina loved to gather the congregation for celebrations in the
church, such as during Christmas, Mother's Day that you have changed to
be known as Family Day, a party to celebrate the accomplishments of our
graduates as well as frequent gatherings in the church with one purpose:
So that we may all be ONE-IN-CHRIST. Abouna loved music and the hymns
of our church and often led King David's Chorus every Friday night, vocally
as well as playing the organ, recorder, and oud. He encouraged all
to love one another. He was more than a priest, he was also a friend
who made everyone comfortable talking to him and being in his presence.
He was steadfast and never compromised his morals or the canons of the
church. He often would ask each member of the congregation individually
if they had confessed before communion. He cared for our salvation.
Abouna Mina made every person feel special for who they are. It was
easy to see the Holy Spirit manifest in him. He was always there
to rejoice with you in times of happiness, or to encourage you when you
are down. Your smiling face and magnetic personality will never be
forgotten. You have planted so many seeds on earth that will flourish
because of the great care that you provided for them. All that you
have commenced in our church will continue because that is the way you
would have wanted it. I believe that you have rubbed off on everyone
of us. Your love for God, your dedication, hard work and love for
your people will place you in the ranks of the saints.
Rejoice Archangel Raphael, the man who considered you his intercessor
is now in the Paradise of Joy. How fortunate are you Mar-Mina and
St. George, for the saint that we had for such a short time will be with
you forever.
You were loved greatly and will be dearly missed. We thank the
Lord for allowing us to have you among us, and I know that you are in the
place where you deserve to be, the place where no eye has seen nor ear
heard.
Blessed Father, you will never be forgotten. Pray for my weakness
and remember us before the Throne of Glory.
Mourning a Righteous Father
Looking back at the events of the last few weeks, I cannot help but make these dire observations, as the grief-stricken community of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Rochester mourns the repose of the beloved father Mina Reweis who departed to Heaven leaving a big gap in the hearts and lives of many of us.
Most of us react with a few tears, a shake of the head and an articulation of the words: "God's Will;" a phrase that has been echoing in my head ever since I learned about his departure.
I ask the readers of this article for forgiveness and prayers, as I allow my thoughts to run wild in the analysis of "God's Will
What is "God's Will?"
Was it God's Will to bring a blessed man to the Rochester community to calm the troubled waters that has plagued us for many years?
Was it God's Will to bring his family to the US to pursue a future in an English education system?
Was it God's Will to teach the community a harsh lesson in the meaning of life and what it entails?
Was it His Will to have the work of this blessed father flourish more fruitfully after his death, through the seeds that he has planted?
Was it God's Will to remove a righteous man from the midst of a non-deserving community?
Perhaps God's Will is all of the above. Perhaps it is none of the above. One will never know. Understanding God's Will with our inferior minds is like trying to transfer an ocean's water into a cup.
Nonetheless, in my own tormented mind, each and every member of the church congregation has had a hand in this blessed man's sudden departure. His heart oozed with love and kindness. The more he gave, the more stubborn our beings became. The more he tried, the more we shunned him away. The complaints never stopped and the bickering never ended. It eventually took a toll on his health.
Perhaps God's Will was to give us a wake-up call to indicate that it is time for the bickering and complaining to come to an end, and for The Holy Spirit to live in us permanently and grant us blessings in everything we do. It was certainly Father Mina's heart desire.
This community can honor him by fulfilling his desire and work together
to flourish the many activities he started. I would list them, but
I would probably run out of room. I am sure they are well-known to
all of us. Maybe then his soul will rest in peace and he will watch
happily from Heaven on the Rochester community.
My Life Was Touched By Father Mina Rewais
I shall never forget your kindness and compassion. Nor shall I
forget your holiness and purity. In my darkest moments when I lost
my fiancee into a car accident, you supported me, not like an ordinary
person but like a spiritual father who cared for his flock. It will
never leave my mind that you insisted on my becoming a deacon. Your
blessings is filling the church. Your sustenance is activating my
spirit. Remember us our beloved Father in the Kingdom of Heavens,
until we meet with you and all other saints.
Raafat Guirgis and Family
Psa 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Jer 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Phil 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that
I may win Christ,
Phil 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:6 - 10 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. …… For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Rom 5:17 - 19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
1 Cor 1:17 - 18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews
a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may
be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed
for us:
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled
us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling
the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 4:4 - 5 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding
riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:14 - 17 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:19 - 22 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
1 Th 5:9 - 10 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Tim 2:5 - 6 For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom
for all, to be testified in due time.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works.
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:14 - 15 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:19 - 28 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you….. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission…… Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Heb 10:1 - 12 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Heb 10:18 - 20 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people
with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb 13:20 KJV Now the God of peace, that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
of the everlasting covenant,
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Pet 1:8 - 12 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1 Pet 1:18 -20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even
Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the
Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship
him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before
you get it.
--Sidney Howard
No sacrifice short of individual liberty, individual self-respect, and
individual enterprise is too great a price to pay for permanent peace.
--Clark H. Minor
They never fail who die in a great cause.
--Lord Byron
We can offer up much in the large, but to make sacrifices in little
things is what we are seldom equal to.
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
The mice which helplessly find themselves between the cats' teeth acquire
no merit from their enforced sacrifice.
--Mahatma Gandhi
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes
us rich.
--Henry Ward Beecher
How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization!
--Eric Hoffer
Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing,
but very few a generous thing.
--Alexander Pope
For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always
work, patience, love, self-sacrifice--no paper currency, no promises to
pay, but the gold of real service.
--John Burroughs
Behold I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give
myself.
--Walt Whitman
Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails
to receive.
--Dolores E. McGuire
The men and women who have the right ideals ... are those who have the
courage to strive for the happiness which comes only with labor and effort
and self-sacrifice, and those whose joy in life springs in part from power
of work and sense of duty.
--Theodore Roosevelt
Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of which all the reported miracles
grow.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Self-sacrifice enables us to sacrifice other people without blushing.
--George Bernard Shaw
Self-sacrifice which denies common sense is not a virtue. It's a spiritual
dissipation.
--Margaret Deland
He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit
when he dies.
--Tertullian
Next to the very young, the very old are the most selfish.
--William Makepeace Thackeray
Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.
--William E. Gladstone
That man who lives for self alone,
Lives for the meanest mortal known.
--Joaquin Miller
The man who lives by himself and for himself is likely to be corrupted
by the company he keeps.
--Charles H. Parkhurst
The greed of gain has no time or limit to its capaciousness. Its one
object is to produce and consume. It has pity neither for beautiful nature
nor for living human beings. It is ruthlessly ready without a moment's
hesitation to crush beauty and life out of them, molding them into money.
--Rabindranath Tagore
It is economic slavery, the savage struggle for a crumb, that has converted
mankind into wolves and sheep ... My prison-house ... is but the intensified
replica of the world beyond, the larger prison locked with the levers of
Greed, guarded by the spawn of Hunger.
--Alexander Berkman
The covetous man pines in plenty, like Tantalus up to the chin in water,
and yet thirsty.
--Thomas Adams
There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there
is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.
--Buddha
The most pitiful human ailment is a birdseed heart.
--Wilson Mizner
The miser is as much in want of that which he has, as of that which
he has not.
--Publilius Syrus
The miser, starving his brother's body, starves also his own soul, and
at death shall creep out of his great estate of injustice, poor and naked
and miserable.
--Theodore Parker
The happiest miser on earth is the man who saves up every friend he
can make.
--Robert Emmet Sherwood
A miser grows rich by seeming poor; an extravagant man grows poor by
seeming rich.
--William Shenstone
The devil lies brooding in the miser's chest.
--Thomas Fuller
Through life's dark road his sordid way he wends; an incarnation of
fat dividends.
--Charles Sprague
Misers mistake gold for good, whereas it is only a means of obtaining
it.
--François de La Rochefoucauld
Death and the curse were in that cup,
O Christ, 'twas full for Thee;
But Thou hast drained the last dark dregs,
'Tis empty now for me.
No one ever said it better than C. S. Lewis: To love at
all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly
be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping
it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap
it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements;
lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But
in that casket -- safe, dark, motionless, airless -- it will change.
It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable....
The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all
the dangers of love... is Hell.
Just before Christmas last year 38 so-called rockers got together
in England to make a record to raise money for Ethiopian famine victims.
The title of the song they recorded is most significant: Do They Know It's
Christmas?
That's a searching question for the Christian Church to
face: Do the millions of planet earth know it's Christmas? Have they
heard that God sent His Son to die for them? Do they know of the
miracle of the Virgin Birth, the Incarnate Son of God?
If they do not know, why do they not know? Why has
the Church been so long in taking the good news to earth's millions?
The one question missionaries fear to hear from the lips
of non- Christians in unreached lands is: "How long have you known about
the Gospel? Did your father know about the Gospel?"
Are you part of the problem or the solution? Are
you willing to take the Gospel to some area of the world where Christ has
not been preached?
There is a story to the effect that a certain society in
South Africa once wrote to David Livingstone, "Have you found a good road
to where you are? If so, we want to send other men to join you."
Livingstone replied, "If you have men who will come ONLY
if they know there is a good road, I don't want them."
Fearful scenes are flung our way;
Masses jostle to a judgment day,
led by liars headed for fire;
death they ignore and demons admire;
helpless, hopeless, tricked, but proud --
who will go and love this crowd?
He who bravely met the test leaves for us the scene impressed:
Who will die as Jesus died, calmly setting self aside?
-- Byron Harting
It is told that in the First World War there was a young French soldier
who was seriously wounded. His arm was so badly smashed that it had
to be amputated. He was a magnificent specimen of young manhood,
and the surgeon was grieved that he must go through life maimed.
So he waited beside his bedside to tell him the bad news when he recovered
consciousness. When the lad's eyes opened, the surgeon said to him:
"I am sorry to tell you that you have lost your arm." "Sir," said the lad,
"I did not lose it; I gave it -- for France."
Jesus was not helplessly caught up in a mesh of circumstances
from which he could not break free. Apart from any divine power he
might have called in, it is quite clear that to the end he could have turned
back and saved his life. He did not lose his life; he gave it.
The Cross was not thrust upon him; he willingly accepted it -- for us.
-- William Barclay, Gospel of John
Both Samuel Chase of Maryland and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts
were among the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. Chase,
a huge man of 250 pounds, was asked by Gerry why he was willing to risk
his significant property holdings to sign the Declaration.
Chase turned to the frail Gerry and replied, "It's you
who will have the far more difficult time. With your slight build,
you're likely to keep dangling on the gallows while I will only but suffer
for a moment."
We are each called to count the cost of commitment.
See: Luke 14:28-33
David Livingstone wrote in his journal on one occasion concerning his "selfless" life:
People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paying back a small part of the great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind and a bright hope of glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader,
saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his
home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was
forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress
without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were
taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of
Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that
the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his
headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to
open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was
dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his
grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.
These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft- spoken
men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty
more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For
the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection
of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives,
our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave us a free and independent
America. We intend to keep it! Will you make that commitment,
too?
See: Eph 5:2; 1 Pet 2:5
George Atley was killed while serving with the Central African Mission. There were no witnesses, but the evidence indicates that Atley was confronted by a band of hostile tribesmen. He was carrying a fully loaded, 10-chamber Winchester rifle and had to choose either to shoot his attackers and run the risk of negating the work of the mission in that area, or not to defend himself and be killed. When his body was later found in a stream, it was evident that he had chosen the latter. Nearby lay his rifle -- all 10 chambers still loaded. He had made the supreme sacrifice, motivated by his burden for lost souls and his answering devotion to his Savior. With the apostle Paul, he wanted Christ to be magnified in his body, "whether by life or by death."
See: Phil 1:20-21
Christians are often accused of being morbid when they talk of the joy
of sacrificing. I think it is one of the deepest truths of the Christian
religion. Far from being a source of sadness, sacrifice is a great joy
and source of illumination—perhaps the greatest of all. I also think that
to live modestly is always a richer experience because you are living like
the majority of people.
Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–1990)
For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is
always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice—no paper currency, no promises
to pay, but the gold of real service.
John Burroughs (1837–1921)
I never made a sacrifice. We ought not to talk of sacrifice when we
remember the great sacrifice that he made who left his Father's throne
on high to give himself for us.
David Livingstone (1813–1873)
If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too
great for me to make for him.
Charles Thomas Studd (1862–1931)
Our notion of sacrifice is the wringing out of us something we don't
want to give up, full of pain and agony and distress. The Bible idea of
sacrifice is that I give as a love-gift the very best thing I have.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails
to receive.
Dolores E. McGuire
That which one sacrifices is never lost.
German Proverb
Mark Said (Syracuse)
Mormons is the name commonly given to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are so called because of their belief in the Book of Mormon. They claim that the Church as established by Christ did not survive in its original form, and was restored in modern times by divine means through a modern prophet, Joseph Smith. Thus, they believe their church is the true and complete church of Jesus Christ restored on earth. Mormons are more correctly called Latter-day Saints, using the word "saint" in its Biblical sense to mean any member of Christ's church.
The church has almost 9 million members. Many Mormons live in the western United States, and church headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah. The church is also established in most other countries of the world.
Several other churches accept the Book of Mormon, but are not associated with the church described in this article. The largest of these is the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which has headquarters in Independence, Mo.
Church doctrines
Mormon beliefs are based on ancient and modern revelations from God. Many of these revelations are recorded in scriptures. These scriptures include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Mormons regard the Bible as the word of God, but they believe that it is not a complete record of all that God said and did. The Book of Mormon is a history of early peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Mormons teach that the Book of Mormon was divinely inspired, and regard it as holy scripture. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from golden plates which he said he received from the angel Moroni. Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations claimed to be made by God to Smith. The Pearl of Great Price contains writings of Smith and his translation of some ancient records.
Mormons believe in a unique concept of God. They teach that this concept was revealed by God through Joseph Smith and other prophets. Mormons believe that the Supreme Being is God the Father, who is a living, eternal being having a glorified body of flesh and bone. The human body is made in the image of God.
Mormons teach that God the Father created all people as spirit-children before the earth was made. They regard Jesus Christ as the first spirit-child the Supreme Being created. They believe that Christ created the world under the direction of God the Father. This is why Mormons also refer to Christ as the Creator. Jesus Christ came down to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary. He was the only one of God's spirit-children begotten by the Father in the flesh. He is divine, but He is not God.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of all humanity and brought about the resurrection of all. He lives today as a resurrected, immortal being of flesh and bone.
God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings. Together with the Holy Ghost, they form a Trinity, Godhead, or governing council in the heavens. The Holy Ghost is a third personage, but is a spirit without a body of flesh and bone. By the same token, it is claimed that The Holy Spirit is not God, but a divine personage entwined in the Godhead. Their concept of "trinity" is different than our Orthodox doctrine in that they see the Godhead as three separate persons, not united in one.
Mormons claim that their doctrine is the one which Jesus and His apostles taught. They believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ; repentance; baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. They believe that a person must be called of God by those who have the authority in order to preach the gospel and to administer its ordinances.
Mormons believe in life after death and in the physical resurrection of the body. The spirit, awaiting the resurrection of the body, continues in an intelligent existence. During this time, persons who did not know the gospel in life may accept it after death. Mormons believe, for this reason, that living persons can be baptized on behalf of the deceased !. In this ceremony, a living Mormon acts as a representative of the dead person and is baptized for that person. Other rites are performed for the dead.
Since Mormons believe in life after death, they believe that family life continues after death. Marriages performed in a Mormon temple are for eternity, and not just for this life. Mormons believe in a final judgment in which all people will be judged according to their faith and works. Each person will be rewarded or punished according to merit.
Some Mormons practiced polygamy (the practice of a man having more than one wife at the same time) as a religious principle during the mid-1800's. But the church outlawed the practice in 1890 after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled it illegal. In fact, Brigham Young is thought to have had 27 wives and to have entered into ceremonies of eternal "sealing" with twice as many, as well as 150 women posthumously.
They believe in upholding the civil law of the country in which they are established. For example, they believe the Constitution of the United States is an inspired document. Mormons in the United States are urged by their religion to uphold its principles.
Church organization
Mormons regard the organization plan of their church as divinely inspired. They have no professional clergy. But all members in good standing, young and old, can participate in church government through several church organizations. A body called the General Authorities heads the church. It consists of the President and two counselors; the Council of the Twelve Apostles; the Patriarch of the church; the First Quorum of the Seventy; and the three-member Presiding Bishopric.
Under the General Authorities are area leaders and then regional and local organizations called stakes and wards. Each stake (diocese) is governed by a president and two counselors, who are assisted by an advisory council of 12 men. A stake has between 2,000 and 10,000 members. A ward (congregation) is governed by a bishop and two counselors. Wards have an average of 500 to 600 members.
Worthy male members of the church may enter the priesthood, which is divided into two orders. The Aaronic (lesser) order is for young men 12 to 18 years old. The Melchizedek (higher) order is for men over 18. Each order is subdivided into quorums (groups). Mormons believe that the priesthood provides authority to act in God's name in governing the church and in performing religious ceremonies.
Several auxiliary organizations assist the priesthood. The Sunday School, the largest auxiliary organization, provides religious education for adults and children. The Women's Relief Society helps the sick and the poor, and directs women's activities. The Young Men and Young Women organizations provide programs for teen-agers. The Primary Association sponsors classwork and recreation for children 3 to 11 years old.
The church operates an extensive educational system. It provides
weekday religious education for high school students in about 1,900 seminaries
located near public high schools in 42 states and six foreign countries.
The church conducts 66 weekday religious institutes for Mormon students
near college campuses. It also maintains fully accredited colleges
and universities in Utah, Idaho, and the Pacific Islands. Best known
of these is Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Mormons assist aged, handicapped, and unemployed members through a
voluntary welfare program. Projects directed by the wards and stakes
help the poor.
Voluntary contributions from members and income from church-operated businesses support the church. Most members give a tithe (one-tenth of their annual income) to the church. Thousands of young men and women and retired people work from 18 to 24 months in a worldwide missionary program without pay.
History
Revelations. During the early 1800's, Joseph Smith, the son of a New England farmer, claimed to have received a series of divine revelations. According to Smith's account, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him near Palmyra, N.Y., in 1820. They advised him not to join any existing church and to prepare for an important task. Smith said he was visited by an angel named Moroni three years later. Moroni told him about golden plates on which the history of early peoples of the Western Hemisphere was engraved in an ancient language. In 1827, Smith received the plates on Cumorah, a hill near Palmyra. His translation of the plates, called the Book of Mormon, was published in 1830. Smith and his associates founded the church on April 6, 1830. It grew rapidly, and had 1,000 members by the end of the first year.
Mormons in the Middle West. Mormon communities were established at Kirtland, Ohio, and Independence, Mo., during the early 1830's. Smith moved the church headquarters to Kirtland in 1831, and the town was the center of the church for almost eight years. He instituted the basic organization and many of the present doctrines there. The first Mormon temple was completed there in 1836.
The 1830's were years of growth, but serious problems arose at the same time. Disputes among some church members themselves, the collapse of a Mormon bank in 1837, and conflict with non-Mormon neighbors broke up the Kirtland community. In 1838, Smith and his loyal followers moved to Missouri, and joined other Mormons there. But trouble again arose. The Missouri Mormons had been driven from Independence in 1833, many settling in a town called Far West, in northern Missouri. In the fall of 1838, mobs attacked the Mormons in several of their settlements. In the "massacre at Haun's Mill," 17 Mormons, including some children, were killed. Joseph Smith and other leaders were arrested on what Mormons believe were false charges. Ordered out of Missouri, more than 5,000 Mormons fled to Illinois in late 1838 and early 1839. Smith escaped from prison in the spring of 1839 and rejoined his people in Illinois.
They founded the city of Nauvoo, which became one of the state's largest cities. The rapid growth of Nauvoo, and the important part Mormons played in state politics made non-Mormons suspicious and hostile again. One faction set up a newspaper to fight Smith, who had become a candidate for President of the United States. The paper was destroyed, and Smith was blamed for it. He, his brother Hyrum, and other leaders were arrested and jailed. On June 27, 1844, a mob attacked the jail. Smith and his brother were shot and killed.
The Mormons in Utah.
Brigham Young became the next church leader. Mobs forced the Mormons out of Illinois in 1846. Joseph Smith had planned to move his people to the Great Basin in the Rocky Mountains. This plan was now put into effect by Young. In 1847, Young led the advance party of settlers into the Great Salt Lake valley. The population of the region grew rapidly, and by 1849, the Mormons had set up a civil government. The Mormons applied for admission to the Union as the State of Deseret, but Congress created the Territory of Utah in 1850 instead, and appointed Young governor.
Trouble with non-Mormons began again. It was falsely reported in Washington, D.C., that the Mormons were rebelling. Anti-Mormon public opinion caused President James Buchanan to replace Young with a non-Mormon governor and to send troops to Utah in 1857. The trouble that followed has been called the Utah War or the Mormon War. The conflict ended in 1858 when Young accepted the new governor and President Buchanan gave full pardon to all concerned.
The number of Utah settlements increased until the territory's population reached 140,000 in 1877. Congress continued to oppose the practice of polygamy, and the church outlawed the practice in 1890. A Mormon ambition was realized in 1896 when Utah was admitted to the Union as the 45th state.
Mormons today have won a reputation as a temperate, industrious people who have made their churches monuments to thrift and faith. Their meeting houses are in many ways model community centers. They include facilities for worship, learning, and recreation. There are 47 temples built or planned worldwide. The temples are devoted entirely to religious ceremonies, and are open only to faithful Mormons. All other Mormon meeting places, chapels, and recreation halls are open to the general public.
The promotion of music and the arts has long been important to the Latter-day Saints. The 325-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City is famous for its broadcasts, telecasts, and concert tours. The choir, now more than a hundred years old, has been heard on United States radio networks since 1929.
The Contemporary Church And Its Divergence From Mainstream Christianity
In its issue of August 4, 1997, Time magazine published and article about The Mormon Church. Here are some excerpts, slightly altered in a few areas to suit our publication.:
Salt Lake City was just for starters - the Mormons' true Great Trek has been to social acceptance and a $30 billion church empire.
[In the history of Christianity, there has never been a group of adherents,
cult or a sect that holds together and help each other as found in The
Mormon Church. The Mormons have] a huge welfare system, perhaps
the largest nonpublic venture of its kind in the country. [Because
of their strange beliefs, they were] portrayed as a nation within a nation,
radical communalists who threatened the economic order and polygamists
out to destroy the American family.
Young is thought to have had 27 wives and to have entered into ceremonies
of eternal "sealing" with twice as many, as well as 150 women posthumously.
It was in the 1950s, says historian Jan Shipps, that the Mormons went
from being "vilified" to being "venerated," and their combination of family
orientation, clean-cut optimism, honesty and pleasant aggressiveness seems
increasingly in demand. Fifteen Mormon Senators and Representatives
currently trek the halls of Congress. Mormon author and consultant
Stephen R. Covey bottled parts of the ethos in The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People, which has been on best-sellers lists for five years.
[On the local scene, we find prominent scientists and managers who are
not only Mormon but also occupy lay-clergy positions in the church organization,
such as Mr. Kay Whitmore, the former CEO of Kodak:; and Dr. Bryant Rossiter,
the former head of the Chemistry Division of Kodak Research Laboratories
and one of the editors of Encyclopaedia Britanica.] The FBI
and CIA, drawn by a seemingly incorruptible rectitdude, have instituted
Mormon-recruitment plans.
The Mormon Church is by far the most numerically successful creed born
on American soil and one of the fastest growing any-where. Its U.S.
membership of 4.8 million is the seventh largest in the country, while
its hefty 4.7% annual American growth nearly doubled abroad, where there
are already 4.9 million adherents. University of Washington sociologist
Rodney Stark projects that in about 83 years, worldwide Mormon membership
should reach 260 million.
[The] current assets of [The Mormon Church] total a minimum of $30
billion. If it were a corporation, its estimated $5.9 billion in
annual gross income would place it midway through the Fortune 500.
The top beef ranch in the world is not the King Ranch in Texas. It
is the Deseret Cattle & Citrus Ranch outside Orlando, Fla. It
is owned entirely by the Mormons. The largest producer of nuts in
America, AgRreserves, Inc. in Salt Lake City is Mormon-owned. So
are the Bonneville International Corp., the country's 14th largest radio
chain, and the Beneficial Life Insurance Co. The Deseret Management
Corp., the company through which the church holds almost all of its commercial
assets, is one of the largest owners of farm -and ranchland in the country.
TIME [Magazine] estimates that the Later-day Saints farmland and financial
investments total some $11 billion, and that the church's nontithe income
from its investments exceeds $600 million.
Roman Catholic holdings dwarf Mormon wealth. But the Catholic Church has 45 times as many members. There is no major church in the U.S. as active as the Latter-day Saints in economic life, nor, per capita, as successful as it.
[The Mormon Church] impose a compulsory 10% income tax (tithes) on its
members, [all deposited in the bank at the headquarters of Salt Lake city.]
There is a lot to deposit. Last year $5.2 billion in tithes flowed
into Salt Lake City, $4.9 billion of which came from American Mormons.
By contrast, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with a comparable
U.S. membership, receives $1.7 billion a year in contributions. [The
American Lutheran Church is considered very wealthy.]
Their faith, like several varieties of American Protestantism, holds
that Jesus will return to earth and begin a thousand-year rule, this glory
preceded by a period of turmoil and chaos. [Unlike the cult of Jehova's
Witnesses, the Mormons do not venture predicting the exact time of the
Second Coming. For that reason ]church members are advised to keep
one year's food and other supplies on hand at all times, and many do.
Of some 112 revelations [said to be] received by the [so called] first
Prophet and President of the church, Joseph Smith, 88 explicitly address
fiscal matters. And although the faithful believe the "End Times"
could begin shortly, their actual date is (to humankind) indefinite, and
certain key signs and portents have not yet manifested themselves.
Rather than wild-eyed fervor, most church moneymen project a can-do optimism.
The church has no career clerics, only amateurs who have been plucked for service from successful endeavors in other fields. In fact, there is no ordained clergy whatsoever: the term priest applies to all males over age 12 in good standing in the church, and "bishops," while supervising congregations, are part-time leaders.
Mormon theology recognizes the Christian Bible but adds three holy books of its own. It holds that shortly after His resurrection, Jesus Christ came to America to teach the indigenous people, who were actually a tribe of Israel, but that Christian churches in the Old World fell into apostasy. Then, starting in 1820, God restored His "latter-day" religion by dispatching the angel Moroni to reveal new Scriptures to a simple farm boy named Joseph Smith near Palmyra, NY. Although the original tablets, written in what is called Reformed Egyptian language, were taken up again to Heaven, Smith, who [claims to have] received visits from God the Father, Jesus, John the Baptist, and Saints Peter, James and John, translated and published the "Book of Mormon" in 1830. He continued to receive divine Scripture and revelations. One of these was that Christ will return to reign on earth and have the headquarters of His kingdom in a Mormon temple in Jackson City, Missouri (Over time, the church has purchased 14,465 acres of land there.)
Rituals of the Mormon temples are barred to outsiders. At "endowment" ceremonies, initiates receive the temple garments, which they must wear beneath their clothing for life. Marriages are "sealed," not only until death doth part, but for eternity. And believers conduct proxy baptisms for the dead: to assure non-Mormon ancestors of an opportunity for salvation, current Mormons may be immersed on their behalf.
Members of the church celebrate the Lord's Supper with water rather than with wine or grape juice. They believe their [current] President is a prophet who receives new revelations from God. Smith himself received God's sanctioning of polygamy in 1831, but 49 years later, the church's President announced its recision. Similarly, and explicit policy barring black men from holding even the lowest church offices was overturned by a new revelation in 1978, opening the way to huge missionary activity in Africa and Brazil.
Mormons reject the label polytheistic pinned on them by other Christians; they believe that humans deal with only one God. [In their belief, Jesus possess attributes of God, and He is The Son of God, but not God. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of God but not God.] Yet they allow for other deities presiding over other worlds. Smith stated that God was once a humanlike being who had a wife and in fact still has a body of "flesh and bones." Mormons also believe that men, in a process known as deification, may become God-like.
Mormonism excludes original sin, whose expiation most Christians understand as Christ's greatest gift to humankind in dying on the cross. In 1995, the Presbyterian Church (USA) issued national guidelines stating that the Mormons were not "within the historic apostolic tradition of the Christian Church," and "must be regarded as heretical."
The Rev. Jeffrey Silliman, of the same Presbyterian group that made the heresy charge, admits that Mormons "have a high moral standard on chastity, fidelity, honesty and hard work, and that's appealing."
It is hard to argue with Mormon uniformity when a group takes care of its own so well. Once a month, church members are asked to go without two meals and contribute their value to the [Mormon] welfare system. The fast money is maintained and administered locally, so that each community can care for its own disadvantaged members.
Other basic beliefs are indicated in the following 13 Articles of Faith,
written by Joseph Smith and first published in 1842:
1.We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost.
2.We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not
for Adam's transgression.
3.We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may
be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4.We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel
are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third,
Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands
for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5.We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by
the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel
and administer in the ordinance thereof.
6.We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive
Church, viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
7.We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
8.We believe in the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated
correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9.We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,
and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things
pertaining to the kingdom of God.
10.We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration
of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent.
11.We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to
the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege,
let them worship how, where or what they may.
12.We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates,
in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13.We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous,
and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition
of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endued many
things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything
virtuous, lovely, or of goof report or praisworthy, we seek after these
things. Joseph Smith.
On July 21, 1997, departed suddenly the righteous man of God, Father
Mina Rewais, the humble and beloved priest of our church, while visiting
a monastery in Egypt's desert, of a massive heart attack.
The beloved Father has had his priorities set straight since the first
minute. His first and foremost task was to ask The Lord for assuring
The Kingdom of Heavens for his congregation, his family and himself.
He has won it for himself, no question asked!
His mission in Rochester was not an easy one. But, if The Lord
had promised his disciples an comfortable time on earth, He would have
saved Paul from "the thorn of the flesh." God wanted it this way,
to ensure His children would receive the promised "crowns." It is
for that purpose the departed father has suffered through our transgressions.
No doubt he is now receiving many crowns. 2 Cor 1:3 - 5 "Blessed
be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,
and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings
of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ".
Our deepest condolences to his family.
Laurice Sifain and the children
Judas and Peter
Here, from the Gospel according to Matthew, is one great story of betrayal.
We are horrified most, of course, by what Judas Iscariot did for thirty
pieces of silver. At the same time, though, we are stunned in a completely
different way by Peter's failure. Despite his vow at the Mount of
Olives ("I will not deny thee"), Peter in fear and misery commits a much
more forgivable, more human kind of betrayal. Judas Iscariot's treachery
seems beyond comprehension, while Peter's denial is on a scale of which
we are all capable.
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief
priests,
And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto
you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came
to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to
eat the passover?
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The
Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house
with my disciples.
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready
the passover.
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And
as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall
betray me.
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say
unto him, Lord, is it I?
And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish,
the same shall betray me.
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man
by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he
had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said,
Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. And as they were
eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to
the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of
it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
many for the remission of sins.
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the
vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me
this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep
of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again,
I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him,
Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before
the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though
I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all
the disciples.
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith
unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to
be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless
not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith
unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father,
if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying
the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now,
and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with
him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and
elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall
kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed
him.
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came
they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand,
and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote
off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for
all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently
give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as
against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with
you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be
fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they
that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where
the scribes and the elders were assembled.
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and
went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false
witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they
none. At the last came two false witnesses,
And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God,
and to build it in three days.
And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing?
what is it which these witness against thee?
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto
him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be
the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you,
Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power,
and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy;
what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote
him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou
Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying,
Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and
said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter,
Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And
immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before
the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the
people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to
Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned,
repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the
chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And
they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed,
and went and hanged himself.
The Question
Seek honesty in yourself before you seek it in your neighbors.
Were the whole world good as you - not an atom better -
Were it just as pure and true,
Just as pure and true as you;
Just as strong in faith and works;
Just as free from crafty quirks;
All extortion, all deceit;
Schemes its neighbors to defeat;
Schemes its neighbors to defraud;
Schemes some culprit to applaud -
Would this world be better?
If the whole world followed you - followed to the letter -
Would it be a nobler world,
All deceit and falsehood hurled
From it altogether;
Malice, selfishness, and lust,
Banished from beneath the crust,
Covering human hearts from view -
Tell me, if it followed you,
Would the world be better?
In your memory, our beloved Fr. Mina Rewais, I dedicate the following hymn as an expression of appreciation to your short but intense and focused spiritual service at our church of St. Mark in Rochester, New York. I am certain that you would have been very happy to hear and sing this hymn with us because you liked music, particularly the church music.
It was evident to many, as well as to us, that you loved God and His church, and that God loved and blessed you. You never lost focus of your priestly obligations. Your dedication to serving the flock was manifest in all what you have done. You were a friend to everyone, a father to those who needed one, a caretaker for the widow and the sick, a host for the stranger and the guest, a supporter for the week, an encouragement to the hopeless, and a Christ-like example for each one of us to follow. Your exemplary efforts shown in learning and mastering the new language of our local church was growing daily and was noticed by us.
Though it is painful sometimes, God's will and His wisdom, should not be questioned, so let it be. All we can do is pray, not that God repose your spirit with His saints, but that you may remember us in your prayers when you stand before His glory. Father Mina, you came to us and were gone after a short while. Your memories, like a sweet aroma, will stay in our hearts for what remains of time in our lives.
We pray that our Lord Jesus comfort your immediate loving family, that we met in Rochester, and the rest of your larger family in Egypt and everywhere. Your great loss to your family is also ours. We will miss you a lot.
God's Plan
Refrain:
Your wonder --- --- ful creation
welcomed man with jubilation
From generation to generation
With a plan for salvation
1. Almighty God we praise your name
For the great mercy and love
You granted us the eternal life
In the Heaven -- --ly Jerusalem
2. Adam and Eve with no corruption
Lived by Your initial covenant
Till the serpent made them break it
And that was the original sin
3. Through prophets You spoke to us
To repent at no avail
And in the fullness of time
You sent Your Word-Incarnate
4. Your Son the anointed Jesus
Lifted the sin of the world
When He shed His precious blood
On the cross for you and me
5. After rising from the dead
He set a new covenant
For us to abide by
To receive the grace of joy
6. Through baptism the second birth
We become ready to receive
His precious Body and Blood
And become children of God
7. When we sin we must repent
Then confess before the priest
And become worthy to receive
This is the renewal step
8. The Renewal guarantees
The Holy Spirit will work with us
To resist sinning again
This is up to our free will
9. I will always try my best
Hoping God will do the rest
Guide me with tenderness
At what is left is His Mercy
Tony, Susan and Daniel Ateya