‘Prayer Requests from the Gregorian Liturgy’ Series with (Part 12)

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II Concludes the ‘Prayer Requests from the Gregorian Liturgy’ Series with (Part 12): “And we also, who have been called by Your grace into Your service while unworthy, accept us to Yourself” during the Wednesday Meeting
December 18, 2024


H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday Meeting this evening from the Church of Virgin Mary and St. Pope Kyrillos VI in Aghakhan, part of the Northen Shoubra churches sector. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels, the official website of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the online C.O.C channel of the Church’s media center.

His Holiness toured the church’s twelve floors. He then met with the priests and their families of the three churches in the Khalafawi area. These are: St Mary and Archangel Michael’s Church in Khalafawi, St Mary and St. George’s Church in Ard Ayoub, and St Mary and St. Pope Kyrillos VI’s Church in Aghakhan. He gave a spiritual word to the attendees.

Pope Tawadros also visited the Bible Society exhibition on the church’s ground floor, expressing admiration for the variety of materials available and encouraging the Society’s staff.

His Holiness then entered the church, led by the deacons’ choir chanting the hymns of receiving the Patriarch. The congregation joyfully welcoming Pope Tawadros with ululations. His Holiness led the raising of incense of vespers, alongside bishops, the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo, and priests of the Northern Shoubra churches.

Following the vespers, His Grace Bishop Angelos (General Bishop for the churches of Northern Shoubra), delivered a welcoming speech to H.H. Pope Tawadros II. He noted that the Pope’s visits to churches bring prosperity in all aspects. He highlighted that the Church of Virgin Mary and St. Pope Kyrillos VI was born out of love, as the Church of Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael in Khalafawi took on the responsibility of building it, along with the Church of Virgin Mary and St. George in Ard Ayoub.

His Grace, accompanied by the church’s priests, then presented a commemorative gift to His Holiness. Following this, a choir of members from the three churches sang a selection of hymns and praises.

Pope Tawadros also honored a group of parliamentarians, the Deputy Governor of Cairo, district heads, and several executive and political leaders. Additionally, he recognized a group of staff members from the Bible Society after a short film about the Society’s activities was shown.

Pope Tawadros further honored distinguished members of the church who had achieved academic degrees (doctorates and master’s) as well as those who had won medals and championships in various intellectual and physical sports.

Hegumem Boules Fahim, the church’s most senior priest, gave a word of thanks and welcome to His Holiness, expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to the establishment, construction, and preparation of the church. His speech was followed by a documentary on the stages of building the church.

At the beginning of his sermon, His Holiness praised what he had seen in the church, expressing his happiness with the efforts put into its construction and preparation. He said: “I am overjoyed to visit this new church, and to see a church give birth to another church, and a third church in Ard Ayoub. You are a beautiful congregation.” He concluded by thanking the guests, officials, the choir, and the deacons.

Pope Tawadros concluded the series titled “Prayer Requests from the Gregorian Liturgy” by reading Psalm 23 and meditating on the supplication: “And we also, who have been called by Your grace into Your service while unworthy, accept us to Yourself.” He explained that this supplication applies to all servants, including priests and bishops. He elaborated on its phrases as follows:

-“Called”: This is a calling without worthiness.

“By Your grace”: This is grace given freely.
“Into Your service”:This is a service without boasting.
“While unworthy, accept us to Yourself”: This is an acceptance without limits.

His Holiness’ reflections on the phrases:

“Called”:

All servants are called to service.
Service is a promotion to wash the feet of others.
God calls the weak to serve, as exemplified by David: “From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people” (Psalm 78:71).
When accepting the responsibility of service, one must ensure that God and the Church are their dearest treasures.
Responding to the call to service requires fervent prayer, careful thought, and seeking counsel.
In responding to the call to service, one must ask God for the guardian of the call; humility, to protect the given grace.

“By Your Grace”:

Grace is a free gift from God, and we must thank Him daily for it.
Grace qualifies us for service, as seen in the examples of Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle: “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:9–10).
Grace transforms weakness into strength, and thus we give glory to God: “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord” (John 20:18).

“To Your Service”:

The scope of service is vast.
Service is preceded by the love of Christ in the heart.
Service is a privilege granted by God, not an opportunity for boasting or showmanship: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Service is an obligation, not an honor.
Service is a sacrifice, not a platform for pride: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
Fixing one’s gaze on Christ in service is essential: “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

“Accept us to Yourself”:

A servant must remain vigilant over themselves during service: “Lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
God grants boundless acceptance when He sees love offered to Him, others, the community, and oneself.
Trusting in God’s work enables us to gain His acceptance.
God accepts the labor of service when we prioritize others over ourselves.
By drawing near to God daily through prayer, the Bible and service, we attain His acceptance.