I would like to start this article by congratulating you: When talking about the Egyptians in beautiful Egypt, I can’t but stop at the mere national Egyptian scenes, including those that emerged over the three days of the 2018 presidential elections. Many deep human stances were written on the pages of the shining Egyptian history, for example: We saw a wife carrying her sick husband to the election committee to cast his vote! She presented to the world a practical lesson on the Egyptians’ usual nationalism, which Egypt has long experienced throughout its great history. Another Egyptian insistence was embodied in one of the sick women who voted after being transferred to the election committee via ambulance! Thus, the heroic stories of Egypt’s love are so many.
My felicitations to Mr. President, who is granted the love of his people first, for his victory in the Egyptian Presidential Elections to start a new journey of working and struggling supported by the Egyptian people in order to restore Egypt’s global leadership, my felicitations to every Egyptian who participated in the love of Egypt, and in writing a new shining page of its ancient history, wishing Egypt and its people all the good, peace and blessing.
Today, the Copts of Egypt celebrate the “Palm Sunday”, which marks the entrance of the Lord Christ in a solemn public celebration to the city of Jerusalem, where He was received by the branches, cheers and garments laid before Him, in a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariahs the Prophet; “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Thusly, the Christ entered as a king, yet His kingdom was in the hearts of His loved ones; the simple people among whom He went about doing good, alleviating their sorrows, illness and grieves, through marvelous love, great tenderness, and ultimate gentleness towards the weak and the suffering.
The Jewish historian “Josephus” mentioned that the number of those who received the Lord Christ on that journey He made surrounded by the crowds on His way to Jerusalem was a massive one that reached about two and a half million people! They came to celebrate the feast, waiting for Him with palm branches and great chants from which the city had shaken. Before such majestic scene, I would pause at some new concepts.
New Concepts
On the Palm Sunday, the Lord Christ presented some new concepts which were contradictory with that age, including the concept of “the Power between Ego and Modesty”
Roman concepts of power prevailed at that time, reflecting the idea of domination and sovereignty over the world through battles and wars. It is no wonder that in this era the youth Roman was prepared to become a warrior since his childhood! He studied the sciences that would qualify him to be a strong soldier, as he spent a period of up to ten years among the battlefields and camps. The crowds used to greet the triumphants upon their return, riding the horses, surrounded by an atmosphere of reverence and ecstasy.
On the contrary, we see a model presented by the Lord Christ in the scene of His entry into Jerusalem: instead of riding a strong war horse, He acted modestly and meekly, providing an example and exemplary: that real power lies neither in boastfulness nor pride nor haughtiness nor physical strength, but rather it lies in modesty, love and offering good to others.
I read one of the stories about the Christ’s entrance to Jerusalem on a colt; It was said that a Roman called “Sabor” saw the Lord Christ riding the colt, so he hastened to the Jews accompanying the Christ, offering them a horse for Him to ride instead of the colt, for his Roman mind told him that didn’t suit the entrance of a great man. However, the response to his offer contradicted all his thoughts, a Jew answered him that all horses whatever their high value may be, are by no way of more value than the animal chosen by the Lord Christ to ride!
This man provided evidence of his belief that Abraham, the father of the fathers, had ridden a colt while he was going to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, according to God’s command on the mountain of Moraya, also, Moses the Great Prophet, the one who conversed with God, had ridden this animal as well, and hence, the Roman guy left them surprised.
The concept of the power of modesty practically presented by the Christ during His entrance to Jerusalem was not strange to His teachings to the people and to His disciples. His famous sermon on the mountain was about teachings that lead men to God’s love and love for one another in the human family. In a practical way, the Christ corrected the concept of power and greatness to His disciples after a debate took place among them on their way about who of them is the greatest, as He told them: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves” Then He presented Himself as an example, saying: “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”
Thus, the disciples learnt the meaning of modesty and real power that depends on God’s support for man, and people’s love towards him for his meekness, simplicity, love, support, and his generous hand given to all. Indeed, the concept of power and weakness varies much between Earth and Heaven! He who always lets his issues in the hands of God does see the power of God working in his life, but he is granted the power that can shake the world. While writing these words, I recall two stories:
The first one is of Joseph the Righteous who acted meekly in response of his brothers’ cruelty and being sold as a servant in Egypt lands, then his honest behavior at his master’s house, he acted meekly in the face of his master’s wife accusations, which threw him into prison. However, because of his modesty, endurance and love, God had raised him to be the second powerful man next to Pharaoh! He was the hero who saved the whole world from a destructive famine.
The second story is of an old woman who was caring for her grandson after his parents’ departure, he had a rare disease that needed to be examined by a world famous doctor specialized in this type of disease. Due to the old woman’s poverty, she only had to raise her demand to God, blessed be His name. It came to happen that this certain doctor arrived at a nearby town to attend an international conference, yet he got lost because of bad weather and heavy rain to reach eventually the house of this old woman.
My felicitations to all of you with these blessed days, wishing all good and peace for all Egyptians.
And…Stories never end in beautiful Egypt
General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
