The gathering, from which you can leave without a word of farewell, is the one where you realize you are about to walk in the footsteps of people who slander others in their absence. Stand up. Head towards the door, and come out from among them, without looking back. This is for your own good ...
Read moreMonthly Archives: February 2024
To Brother Elie Kebbe
Within the Orthodox Youth Movement (MJO), there is a tradition that the first term of the Secretary-General, which extends for two years, allows him to perceive things, from his new position, with new accuracy. His re-election for a second term, if nominated, is for increasingly anticipated fruitful outcomes. This tradition does not overshadow the acknowledgment ...
Read moreA Bridge of Encounter
I try to write to all of you, regardless of your origins and backgrounds. You may notice that I often render people's concerns, my family's and friends', questions, and thoughts... into lines. Of the things that catch my attention, I summon to my papers what caused me delight or grief, and I build on them. ...
Read morePartnership in A Commandment
When I lay my hands on a new issue of "An-Nour Magazine", precious things within me begin to stir. Firstly, I hear once again Metropolitan George Khodr repeating to me the commandment he gave me forty years ago, which is to read "the magazine" in its entirety since its inception in 1945, "along with its ...
Read morePersisting Objections
I am following the feedback that is reaching us regarding the rejection of the document issued by the Roman Catholic Church, in which it is allowing the blessing of same-sex couples, as well as responses to this rejection. The explanatory document, in which Rome reaffirmed its stance on this blessing, was pointed out to me ...
Read moreTo Noor Ashour
Today I read “The Story of your Unconsummated Wedding". I followed you as you retreated before the monster that shattered your present and your yearning for a tomorrow you had been anticipating, which destroyed your home in Gaza and its contents, including the clothes you had prepared to wear, chosen by yourself or sewn by ...
Read moreThe Brokenness of Distance
Whenever my eldest granddaughter, or her brother, speak to me, from the “cold faraway country”, she poses her wet question: “I miss you so much. When will you come to visit us?". Distance is devastating. Since they left, I suddenly developed a sensitivity to certain words. It has become difficult for me to hear someone ...
Read moreThe Day of Discoveries
Yesterday, a friend of mine quoted to me the words of the American writer Mark Twain: “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why”. The words were new to me. Have I written to you before that I believe there are two ...
Read moreThe Authority of Joy
Recall a moment of joy, one that you have truly experienced, just a single moment, before you say that the pain bearing down upon you today has everlasting authority.
Read moreA Life of Repentance
In one of the scenes of a film adapted from a novel by the Portuguese writer José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, the protagonist appears alongside another girl helping her teach children in the church to memorize the Ten Commandments. When they reach the commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery", the two girls get interrupted ...
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