Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

166 APRILthat the very same innocence and enthusiasm for all things religiousand holy that have given me such delight since coming toEgypt, are likely to be for many others the cause of mischief andthe source of ruin. Rather, would that we Westerners could cometo realize that we have been missing great gifts, great wealth, greatblessings. Would that we could observe the Copts among us andbecome, in a holy kind of jealousy, desiring to partake of the blessingswhich are theirs by birthright. How terrible, the unholy jealousywhich requires us to rob them of their innocence so that neitherthey, nor we, can enjoy it! Instead, we have disdained it andmake it impossible for them to retain it.APRIL 26, SUNDAYGentle Shepherd,You promised to rescue the lost lamb and search for thestrayed sheep. Look tenderly upon your beloved children of thisChurch in Egypt. As gold in the furnace you have testedthem, in the crucible of humiliation you have purified them.Suffering for your sake—estranged in their own land—youhave ennobled them for the sacrifice of bearing witness. Maythe witness of their saints and the precious gifts of their martyrswho span their whole history be a prayer before you and aliving sign they will always reverence.By their prayer, save their children now in this darktime, and all who are scattered far from their homeland.Never let them forget the wealth of their heritage, nor neglectto honor your Cross so deeply anchored in their nation, theirland, their memory, and their present pain. I thank you thatyou have given me a glimpse of their soul! How they shine inmy eyes! Persuade me to still my soul anew amid all its previousconcerns, and to rely upon your shepherd’s love again.Islamic RamadanAPRIL 29, WEDNESDAYThe monks told me that throughout Islamic Egypt, the Moslemshave entered into the holy season of Ramadan, the time for their