On Life 84 – Many Rivers – July 3, 2015

   The sun shone on the river’s water, making it shimmer with beauty and run swiftly, carrying life everywhere. He looked at the great river and thought, “I wish I could carry life everywhere I go, like you, O Great River!”

   The river, though great and life-giving, is made up of tiny droplets of rain that fall on mountaintops. These droplets seep into the earth’s core until they fill it. Then, showers fall, gradually sweeping the earth’s surface and digging paths, which is why most rivers gush out of mountaintops or plateaus, being formed from little lakes. They end in big lakes or oceans.

   Similarly, our lives are made up of many rivers which start with small ideas that shape our behaviors. These have an impact on us and on others. The rivers of our lives are multitudinous, such as that of giving. It starts as we teach our children to give others something small, expecting nothing in return. This continues until the love of giving digs a path in their hearts, thus making a river which banks are full of trees.

   There are also the rivers of knowledge which are quite important: for through them, man offers many services to humanity through inventions and achievements. These make people’s life easy and happy. Also, through knowledge, man develops himself and helps others overcome their problems. How beautiful! Man becomes a source of light which guides people through life, especially at times of despair.

   How beautiful the soul from which rivers of love gush out is! It resembles a beautiful oasis which every devastated spirit seeks refuge at. Unlike those who live in pedestals, such a soul is full of sympathy.

   How lovely the river of mercy is! It draws a smile on sad faces, encourages weaklings, telling them they are humans who are entitled to live and be happy.

   Thus, make way for rivers that gush out of your heart, ending in life’s ocean, filling it with God’s gifts and graces.

   In like manner river banks are full of trees which man strives to dwell by, a man whose life is full of love and giving is.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center