399- A Gift from Australia

While being busy preparing for a theological conference between the Chalcedonian Orthodox Church and the Non-Chalcedonian, I had difficulty finding references to prepare a theological paper about “The Nature and the Person in the early church”.

One evening while I was praying the vesper at St Mary church in Alexandria, I had a thought. I asked myself, “I spend many long hours preparing for theological papers about churches while I’m not a scholar. I don’t even have experience in theology. There are many people who are more experienced than me in this field. I’ll go to the Pope and apologize to him for not doing this job as there are many others that can do a better job in this.”

After I prayed, I delivered the sermon. Then, after the vespers, I saw Dr.Ibrahim (one of the immigrants to Australia), he informed me that his father (the late father Isaac) has sent him to me for an urgent issue. As he asked me to meet tonight at his uncle's home, I agreed.

After I finished accepting confessions, and in my way to meet Dr.Ibrahim, The thought of running away from my assignment of theological dialogues was insisting for I can devote more time to my church and serving my people.

I met Dr. Abraham and he offered me a gift while saying, “Father Isaac has sent you this gift.”

I took it from him and put it aside but he insisted that I should open the rap. I thought it must be a box of chocolate but to my surprise I found a volume of theological expressions in Greek with their meaning and its use by the early church fathers. I was surprised for I know that Father Isaac is not that interested in these theological studies.

Then, Dr. Ibrahim said to me, “My father knew that this book is a new release and it will be useful for you.”

 I felt that God’s hand is guiding me. I felt ashamed of myself and started to do the research that was requested of me in a spirit of thanksgiving. I felt that God is showing me His guidance to all my life.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: هدية من أستراليا.

I am amazed from those who deny Your existence.

They want to see you to believe in You.

I see you daily, manifesting Yourself to me,

And I see you O the Director of my life.

My life does not go haphazardly,

But it is in Your hands,

Guided by Your Fiery Holy Spirit.

Are my Eyes those of a Dog?

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

He Is Better Than you Are