On Life 64 – Is It Worth Watching – March 28, 2015

   I paused to think of this phrase, “One day, your life trailer will pass before your eyes. Try to make it worth watching” I wondered if everybody knows that the situations we go through will pass before our eyes one day and that our deeds will be evaluated. More questions arise: Will our lives be worth watching? Did we deserve it?

   I believe that a life worth watching is that which days were engraved in the memory of its contemporaries. It is a life which is full of love for everybody, one which was never visited by hatred. In effect, this love illuminated every place, annihilating the darkness that wastes people’s energy.

   The life worth watching is that of the great who choose to live simply, heedless of money and position. Rather, they are full of love and care for everybody, and strive to comfort them. They have learned that the value of life resides in giving. In effect, their lives have become landmarks. Among these people is Mother Teresa who lent special care to the starved, naked, homeless, disabled, blind, and rejected who have felt unloved and uncared for. Likewise, she led a simple life. So much so that when she received the Nobel Prize that amounts to millions of dollars, she insisted on wearing her simple attire which she was in the habit of wearing. Even more, she always gave priority to others, cancelling a gala dinner and dedicating its expenses to feeding 400 poor children for a whole year!

   One also recalls the words uttered by the managers of the Children’s Cancer Hospital (57357) when Mrs. Ola Ghabbour departed. This lady offered the sick lots of help to relieve them which is why they said about her, “The true Egyptian, Mrs. Ola Ghabbour is a symbol of charity, and a true Egyptian lady. She kept working quietly until she departed quietly. She is a pioneer of charity, and the Secretary General of the Children’s Cancer Hospital ‘57357’, one of the founders of this great hospital.” She is a role model of those who give without discrimination or limitation. Also, the human and cultural services she offered qualified her to have an award bear her name “Ola Ghabbour Award” given by the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, the “Culture and Human Sciences and Services Award”.

   The value of life stems from within us, which is why we either impart beauty or ugliness upon it. So, make your life worth watching when it passes before you that you may be rewarded by God.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center