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Vol. 3 No. 6 July 2000
 

Table of contents

   Spiritual Message
   Advancement (continued from last issue)

Spiritual Message

     Let us continue our contemplation of how those who show mercy and kindness to the less fortunate receive Divine Providence. Previously, we discussed the third part of this topic when we contemplated on David the Prophet's song: "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Ps. 121:3, 4).

     In the fourth segment, our Teacher David the Prophet chants: "The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:6).

The Lord is your keeper

     The melody of these words resonates deeply in the hearts and souls of those who are listening. Those who experience the Lord's protection are filled with joy and happiness. Their hearts rejoice, and they are comforted by the knowledge and the experience of His Divine Providence.

The Lord guards you at all times

     The Lord protects those who consider the less fortunate and shows compassion to them: "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble…" (Ps.41:1, 2).

"He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Ps. 121:3, 4).

He is "at your right hand"; therefore, you "shall not be moved" (Ps. 16:8). For even if you "walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [you] will fear no evil; for [He] is with [you]" (Ps. 23:4).

     The Lord keeps you in His Holy Name (John 17:11), in His strong tower (Prov. 18:10) pouring forth the fragrance of his good ointments (Song. 1:3):

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble" (Ps. 32:7). "He guards all [your] bones; not one of them is broken" (Ps. 34:20). And He guards you and "will not allow your foot to be moved" (Ps. 121:3).

"The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:5, 6).

The Lord is your shade at your right hand

     The Lord's glory overshadows those who generously, though secretively, show mercy to the needy. He guards, protects, and bountifully bestows His blessings upon them. They, in turn, acknowledge that they are only giving what God has already so abundantly given to them. "You open Your hand" and we are "filled with good" (Ps. 104:28). "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:16).

     The Lord also protects the generous against the wars of Satan and against various tribulations. He guards the right hand of those who are compassionate and protects them. "The sun shall not strike [it] by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:6).

     The History of the Patriarchs tells of a righteous man called Fahed Ibn Ibraheem who enjoyed a prestigious position during the reign of the Caliph Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah (Ruler in the name of God). Fahed gained his trust in the six years that he worked for him. When the Caliph asked him to adopt Islam, Fahed refused. The Caliph then ordered his head cut off and his body be thrown into the fire for three days. However, his body, and especially his right hand, remained untouched by the fire. It was said that the reason for this was that Fahed was known for his great compassion. He had never sent anybody away empty-handed, following the Lord's command "whosoever asks of you, to him you shall give." His right hand, which he utilized to offer and give the needy, remained without harm more so than the rest of his body.

     May the Lord grant us the wisdom, the insight and the discernment to understand that He is "the shade at the right hand" of the merciful and the compassionate. He fills the hand of the compassionate with blessings. He protects and safeguards the hand that gives generously so that "the sun shall not strike [it] by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:5, 6).

     This is the fourth part of this great topic on Divine Providence bestowed on those who show consideration to those in need. In an upcoming newsletter, we will discuss the fifth part of this wonderful symphony where our teacher David the Prophet chants: "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil" (Ps. 121:7).

     May our Lord compensate you with the incorruptible instead of the corruptible, the heavenly instead of the earthly, and the eternal instead of the temporal.

Bishop Youannes
General Bishop and Secretary of H.H. Pope Shenouda III

 

Advancements (continued from last issue)

     The previous newsletter briefly outlined that BLESS USA has undergone several stages of advancements in the recent months in order to better serve the Brethren of the Lord (people in need). The servants of BLESS USA are volunteers from various churches on the East Coast who convene regularly at the Archdiocese of North America in Cedar Grove, NJ, under the guidance of H.G. Bishop David. The service of these volunteers has facilitated in the expansion of eight distinct groups.

     Among the eight groups formed are the Member Services and Publications groups. Member Services focuses on the needs and suggestions of the members of BLESS USA. The servants of this group are often in direct correspondence with the members and handle any issues concerning them. Working in conjunction with the Member Services group is the Publications group. Publications is responsible for construction of the monthly newsletter, as well as of any other written communication necessary to the service. These two groups represent a small sampling of the structural advancements in the service. God willing, we will further outline the remainder of these groups in the near future. We thank the Lord for allowing us to better serve His Brethren and request your prayers for our Lord to continue blessing the service.


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