| Saints |
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| FR MIKHAIL IBRAHIM |
| A true example of a father who lead a life as a living bible and a true representative of his lord Jesus Christ on earth. At his farewell ceremony Pope Shenouda said; ?we are privileged to live with and know a man who was sent from heaven as an ambassador on earth for a period of time to demonstrate to us the example of a true spiritual life. Now he continues his work as a mediator and intercessor for us before the throne of god. He had a calm, quiet spirit, full of faith and inner peace, which simply radiated from him and touched those who met him. Known as a man of prayer, he left every aspect of his life and those of his congregation rest in the capable hands of god. He demonstrated to us the true meaning of fatherhood?. About his life: Fr Mikhail (1899-1975) was not confined only to his own congregation but was a father to multitude of young and old, church servants and clergymen alike. They became attached to the sweet Jesus that he represented, and each of them enjoyed the same level of love, care, attention, and support as if they were his only children. He displayed the style of fatherhood that distinguishes our Coptic Church from other Christian denominations. In his unique relationship the spiritual father extracts his wisdom, strength and love from go, the true father, and passes these attributes to those he cares for. Meanwhile he takes these anxieties, weaknesses and needs of his children and lifts it to god for solutions and healing. In doing that he connects his spiritual children directly with the source (God) so that in time they themselves become fathers, yet without personal attachment to him. This process of renewing fatherhood will essentially mean the relationship between god, spiritual fathers and their children cannot age or cease because god is ever living. Thus when the spiritual fathers depart from this world they continue their role of fatherhood to their children even more powerfully as they themselves are in the presence of god and not limited by the body. His Principals: The secret of Fr Mekhail?s success was not his ability to preach, nor was he a prominent writer or a distinguished theologian. In fact he seldom gave sermons, published no books and his formal education was only up to school certificate level. Yet he attracted intellectuals like our beloved pope Shenouda, a host of bishop. Priests and monks as well as ordinary people. He offered them the words, behavior, wisdom and comfort of his Father Jesus. What they received was not human logic, solutions or experience but directions and messages from heaven. Those who knew this father spoke of his unshakable faith together with a life of continuos prayers. He believed in: + Total surrender to God?s will in all circumstances. + Thanking the Lord for all things. + Accepting all temptations and suffering that comes with God?s service in silence without complaining nor discussing it with others as if it wads sent directly from God for our benefit and salvation. + Only ask of God and God alone for all your needs, spiritual or material. + Problems will only be solved by prayers especially that of the liturgy. + The poor are the brothers of Christ and they should be treated gently and they endure enough suffering in their life. Stories from his life: The following two short stories reflect his total honesty and dependence on God: 1. He once sent his suit (while a layman) to the dry cleaners but it was not returned for days, later he learnt that it was stolen and decided to visit the shopkeeper. He asked him whether it was stolen before or after it was ironed and the answer was after it was ironed. To the astonishment of the storekeeper he offered him his due fees as he was entitled to it! 2. While Fr Mikhail was praying the morning prayer, a needy person knocked on the door of his apartment and asked him for some money. Fr Mikhail gave him all the money he found on the table near him, which was six pounds. His wife could not contain her anger as they had no money till the next month. However, abouna assured her that God will send them money from heaven, but her reply was where from? Heaven!!! And in an angry tone she asked abouna to go to pray the mass. After concluding the mass prayer on that day, he met someone who said to him, ?I am so happy to see you father? A dying friend gave me twenty pounds to give you? could you please take it? Father Mikhail invited him to his home and while sitting on the lounge he asked his guest ?How much was it that the man left for me? And he answered twenty pounds. Again he repeated the same question and asked him to reply louder?! Abouna did this three times. Then abouna said to him, ?So heaven really sends money!? His message to his wife was that ?Yes God can send money from heaven!?. |
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