“The Life of Piety”… A sermon by His Grace Bishop Ermia on the eve of Ava Takla Haimanot’s departure in his church in Ashmoun – Menoufia

(Luke 10 : 1 – 20) 1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.5 But whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house.’6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,11 “The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” And Glory be to God forever.