Prayers with Father John Shalhoub

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

The Holy Martyrs Sunday
7 June 2026
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Father John Shalhoub
Mt. 10:32 – 33; 37 – 38; 19:27 – 30
The Lord said to his disciples, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Peter said
in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
For the Feast of the Holy Martyrs (June 6, 2026)
Homily: “What Then Shall We Have?”
Beloved in Christ,
Today's Gospel brings together two powerful moments. First, Christ speaks about confession, sacrifice, and discipleship. Then Peter asks a question that perhaps many of us have wondered ourselves:
“Lord, we have left everything and followed You. What then shall we have?”
Peter's question is deeply human. He has left his fishing nets, his livelihood, his security, and perhaps even his dreams. He wants to know: Was it worth it?
And perhaps many of us ask the same question.
A mother sacrifices for her children and wonders, "Was it worth it?"
A priest gives his life to the Church and wonders, "Was it worth it?"
A Christian struggles to remain faithful in a culture that often mocks faith and wonders, "Is it worth it?"
The Lord answers Peter—and us—with extraordinary generosity:
"Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life."
Notice that Jesus does not say merely, "You will be compensated." He says, "You will receive a hundredfold."
God is never outdone in generosity.
The Cost of Discipleship
Yet before speaking of reward, Christ speaks of the cost.
"Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father."
Christianity is not merely a private conviction hidden in the heart. It is a public allegiance.
Today, many are comfortable speaking about spirituality, but not about Jesus Christ. Many are willing to discuss values, but hesitate to confess the Gospel openly.
The Lord's words challenge us:
Do we acknowledge Christ in our workplaces?
Do we acknowledge Him among our friends?
Do we acknowledge Him when it is inconvenient?
Do we acknowledge Him when doing so might cost us popularity, advancement, or acceptance?
The martyrs whom the Church commemorates today understood this. They stood before emperors, judges, and persecutors and declared: "I belong to Christ."
They lost everything the world could take.
Yet they gained everything the world could never give.
"He Who Loves Father or Mother More Than Me"
These words can sound harsh.
Does Christ tell us not to love our families?
Of course not.
The One who sanctified marriage, blessed children, and honored His Mother is not condemning family love.
Rather, He is teaching us the proper order of love.
Every love in our lives must find its place beneath our love for God.
When God is first, we actually love others more deeply.
A husband loves his wife better when Christ is first.
A parent loves a child better when Christ is first.
A priest loves his people better when Christ is first.
But when any earthly relationship becomes absolute, it becomes an idol.
Christ does not diminish our loves; He purifies them.
Take Up Your Cross
Then comes the central command:
"He who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me."
Notice that Christ does not say, "Choose a cross you like."
The cross is given.
For some, it is illness.
For some, loneliness.
For some, family struggles.
For some, financial hardship.
For some, the hidden battle against temptation.
The cross is whatever joins us to the suffering love of Christ.
The saints were not people who avoided crosses.
They carried them.
And carrying them, they discovered that Christ carried them as well.
The Great Reversal
The Gospel concludes with one of the most surprising sayings of Jesus:
"Many who are first will be last, and the last first."
The world measures greatness by wealth, influence, power, followers, and success.
God measures greatness differently.
The widow who prays faithfully.
The elderly person who suffers with patience.
The mother who sacrifices silently.
The father who works honestly.
The monk hidden in prayer.
The priest who serves faithfully when no one notices.
In the Kingdom, many hidden lives will shine brighter than the celebrities of history.
At the Last Judgment, heaven's rankings will astonish us.
Those who seemed insignificant may be found among the greatest.
A Word for Us Today
Brothers and sisters, we live in a time when confessing Christ is increasingly costly. Not often with blood, as in the days of the martyrs, but through ridicule, misunderstanding, isolation, and pressure to compromise.
Yet Christ asks the same question of us that He asked Peter:
Will you follow Me?
And He gives the same promise:
Nothing sacrificed for Christ is ever lost.
Every prayer.
Every act of faithfulness.
Every hidden sacrifice.
Every cross carried with love.
Every confession of His Name.
Nothing is forgotten.
The world sees loss.
Christ sees treasure.
The world sees sacrifice.
Christ sees glory.
The world sees a cross.
Christ sees a crown.
Therefore, let us not be afraid to acknowledge Him before men. Let us place Him above every earthly attachment. Let us carry our crosses with courage.
And when we are tempted to ask Peter's question—"Lord, what then shall we have?"—let us remember Christ's answer:
Not merely something.
Not merely a reward.
But Himself.
For the greatest gift promised to the disciples is not the hundredfold, nor even the thrones of glory, but eternal communion with the living God—the inheritance of the saints, the joy of the martyrs, and the destiny prepared for all who remain faithful to the end.
To Him be glory, together with His Father and the All-Holy, Good, and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

06/06/2026

تَأَمُّلٌ صَبَاحِيٌّ جَمِيلٌ وَصَلَاةٌ مِنْ أَجْلِ السَّلَامِ
لِلأَبِ جان شَلْهوب
٦ حَزِيرَان ٢٠٢٦ – ٨:٠٢ صَبَاحًا
صَبَاحُ الْخَيْرِ لِكُلِّ مَنْ يَسْمَعُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَاتِ أَوْ يَأْخُذُ لَحْظَةً لِقِرَاءَتِهَا.
مَا أَجْمَلَ هَذَا الصَّبَاحَ الَّذِي وَهَبَنَا اللهُ إِيَّاهُ! فَالشَّمْسُ تُشْرِقُ بِبَهَائِهَا، وَالْهَوَاءُ دَافِئٌ وَلَطِيفٌ، وَالسَّمَاءُ تَمْتَدُّ فَوْقَنَا صَافِيَةً بِدُونِ غَيْمَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ. الطَّبِيعَةُ هَادِئَةٌ وَمُطْمَئِنَّةٌ وَتَدْعُونَا إِلَى التَّأَمُّلِ. وَإِذْ أَجْلِسُ هُنَا مُسْتَمْتِعًا بِدِفْءِ الشَّمْسِ الصَّبَاحِيَّةِ، أُدْرِكُ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى كَمْ هُوَ كَرِيمٌ إِلَهُنَا عَلَيْنَا.
فَكُلُّ شُرُوقٍ هُوَ عَطِيَّةٌ، وَكُلُّ نَفَسٍ هُوَ بَرَكَةٌ، وَكُلُّ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ هُوَ فُرْصَةٌ لِنَبْدَأَ مِنْ جَدِيدٍ.
هَذَا الصَّبَاحَ، وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ نَحْوَ الْبَوَّابَةِ الرَّئِيسِيَّةِ لِمُجْتَمَعِنَا السَّكَنِيِّ، لَاحَظْتُ أَنَّهَا قَدْ تَعَرَّضَتْ لِأَضْرَارٍ كَبِيرَةٍ. فَقَدْ قَادَ أَحَدُهُمْ سَيَّارَتَهُ عَبْرَهَا، مُسَبِّبًا خَسَائِرَ وَأَذًى مَلْحُوظًا. وَمِنَ الطَّبِيعِيِّ أَنْ يَتَسَاءَلَ الْإِنْسَانُ: مَاذَا حَدَثَ؟ وَلِمَاذَا حَدَثَ؟
هَلْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ بِسَبَبِ الْإِهْمَالِ؟ أَمْ سُوءِ التَّقْدِيرِ؟ أَمْ لِسَبَبٍ آخَرَ لَا نَعْلَمُهُ؟
وَالْحَقِيقَةُ أَنَّنَا لَا نَعْرِفُ، وَلَيْسَ مِنْ دَوْرِنَا أَنْ نُدِينَ أَحَدًا.
بَلْ لِنُصَلِّ.
لِنُصَلِّ لِمَنْ تَضَرَّرُوا مِنْ هَذَا الْحَادِثِ، وَلِنُصَلِّ أَيْضًا مِنْ أَجْلِ الشَّخْصِ الْمَعْنِيِّ بِهِ. فَكُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ يَحْمِلُ فِي دَاخِلِهِ أَعْبَاءً لَا يَرَاهَا الْآخَرُونَ. فَهُنَاكَ مَنْ يُصَارِعُ الْأَلَمَ، أَوِ الْوَحْدَةَ، أَوِ الْإِدْمَانَ، أَوِ الْخَوْفَ، أَوِ الْحُزْنَ. وَرُبَّمَا لَنْ نَعْرِفَ قِصَّةَ أَحَدٍ كَامِلَةً، لَكِنَّ اللهَ يَعْرِفُ كُلَّ قَلْبٍ وَيَرَى كُلَّ نَفْسٍ.
وَمَعَ بَدَايَةِ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ، لِنَتَذَكَّرْ جَمِيعَ الَّذِينَ يُوَاجِهُونَ تَحَدِّيَاتٍ وَصُعُوبَاتٍ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْمَرْضَى فِي الْمُسْتَشْفَيَاتِ وَدُورِ الرِّعَايَةِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الَّذِينَ يَتَعَافَوْنَ مِنْ جِرَاحَةٍ أَوْ عَمَلِيَّةٍ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ مَنْ يَخْضَعُونَ لِلْعِلَاجِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْمُسِنِّينَ وَالْمُنْفَرِدِينَ وَالَّذِينَ يَقْتَرِبُونَ مِنَ الْمَرْحَلَةِ الْأَخِيرَةِ مِنْ رِحْلَتِهِمُ الْأَرْضِيَّةِ.
إِنَّ الْحَيَاةَ ثَمِينَةٌ، وَلَكِنَّهَا مُؤَقَّتَةٌ. نَحْنُ مُسَافِرُونَ فِي هَذَا الْعَالَمِ، نَمْضِي فِيهِ زَمَنًا قَصِيرًا، ثُمَّ نَرْحَلُ. نَأْتِي إِلَيْهِ دُونَ أَنْ نَمْلِكَ شَيْئًا، وَنُغَادِرُهُ وَلَا نَحْمِلُ مَعَنَا إِلَّا مَا وَضَعْنَاهُ فِي قُلُوبِنَا مِنْ إِيمَانٍ وَمَحَبَّةٍ وَخَيْرٍ.
لَقَدْ أَغْدَقَ اللهُ عَلَى الْبَشَرِيَّةِ بِمَوَاهِبَ عَظِيمَةٍ. فَمَنَحَنَا الْعَقْلَ وَالْمَعْرِفَةَ وَالْعِلْمَ وَالطِّبَّ وَالْخِبْرَةَ. وَمِنْ خِلَالِ الْأَطِبَّاءِ وَالْمُمَرِّضِينَ وَالْمُقَدِّمِينَ لِلرِّعَايَةِ وَالْبَاحِثِينَ، يَسْتَمِرُّ اللهُ فِي عَمَلِهِ الشِّفَائِيِّ وَالرَّحِيمِ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ.
وَلَكِنْ، عَلَى الرَّغْمِ مِنْ كُلِّ هَذِهِ الْبَرَكَاتِ، لَا يَزَالُ هُنَاكَ مَنْ يَخْتَارُونَ طُرُقًا تُؤَدِّي إِلَى الْأَذَى بَدَلًا مِنَ الشِّفَاءِ، وَإِلَى الْفُرْقَةِ بَدَلًا مِنَ الْوَحْدَةِ، وَإِلَى الْكَذِبِ بَدَلًا مِنَ الْحَقِّ.
وَهَذِهِ حَقِيقَةٌ رَافَقَتِ الْإِنْسَانِيَّةَ مُنْذُ الْقِدَمِ.
لَكِنَّ الظَّلَامَ لَا يُهْزَمُ بِظَلَامٍ أَكْثَرَ.
وَالْكَرَاهِيَةُ لَا تُشْفَى بِالْكَرَاهِيَةِ.
وَالْعُنْفُ لَا يَصْنَعُ سَلَامًا.
إِنَّ الْجَوَابَ هُوَ الْمَحَبَّةُ الْمُقْتَرِنَةُ بِالْحَقِّ، وَالرَّحْمَةُ الْمُسْتَنِدَةُ إِلَى الْحِكْمَةِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ الْمُتَجَذِّرَةُ فِي الْإِيمَانِ.
لِذَلِكَ، فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ الْجَمِيلِ، اسْتَمْتِعُوا بِعَطَايَا اللهِ الْبَسِيطَةِ.
اسْتَمْتِعُوا بِفِنْجَانِ الْقَهْوَةِ.
وَبِوَجْبَةِ الْفُطُورِ.
وَبِثَمَرَةِ تُفَّاحٍ أَوْ مَوْزٍ.
وَبِكُلِّ بَرَكَةٍ وُضِعَتْ أَمَامَكُمْ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ.
تَوَقَّفُوا لَحْظَةً وَتَأَمَّلُوا جَمَالَ الْخَلِيقَةِ.
اسْتَمِعُوا إِلَى زَقْزَقَةِ الطُّيُورِ.
اشْعُرُوا بِدِفْءِ الشَّمْسِ.
وَانْظُرُوا إِلَى النِّعَمِ الصَّغِيرَةِ الَّتِي كَثِيرًا مَا نَغْفُلُ عَنْهَا.
فَالْحَيَاةُ فِي حَدِّ ذَاتِهَا مُعْجِزَةٌ.
وَبَيْنَمَا نَسْتَمْتِعُ بِهَذِهِ الْعَطَايَا، لِنَرْفَعْ قُلُوبَنَا إِلَى اللهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ السَّلَامِ.
سَلَامٌ فِي بُيُوتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ فِي عَائِلَاتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ فِي مُجْتَمَعَاتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ بَيْنَ الشُّعُوبِ وَالْأُمَمِ.
سَلَامٌ فِي الْمَنَاطِقِ الَّتِي تُمَزِّقُهَا الْحُرُوبُ وَالْعُنْفُ.
سَلَامٌ لِلْمُتْعَبِينَ وَحَامِلِي الْأَثْقَالِ.
سَلَامٌ لِكُلِّ مَنْ يَبْحَثُ عَنِ الرَّجَاءِ.
سَلَامٌ لِكُلِّ قَلْبٍ بَشَرِيٍّ.
عَسَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي تَتَعَلَّمُ فِيهِ الْبَشَرِيَّةُ أَنْ تَعِيشَ مَعًا، لَا بِالْخَوْفِ بَلْ بِالتَّفَاهُمِ، وَلَا بِالْقُوَّةِ بَلْ بِالِاحْتِرَامِ، وَلَا بِالسِّلَاحِ بَلْ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَحُسْنِ النِّيَّةِ.
لِيَرْحَمْنَا اللهُ جَمِيعًا.
وَلْيُرْشِدْ أَفْكَارَنَا وَكَلِمَاتِنَا وَأَعْمَالَنَا.
وَلْيَجْعَلْ مِنَّا أَدَوَاتٍ لِلْمَحَبَّةِ وَاللُّطْفِ حَيْثُمَا ذَهَبْنَا.
وَلْيَسْكُنْ سَلَامُهُ الَّذِي يَفُوقُ كُلَّ فَهْمٍ فِي قُلُوبِنَا الْيَوْمَ وَفِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ.
نَهَارُكُمْ مُبَارَكٌ، وَسَلَامُ اللهِ مَعَكُمْ جَمِيعًا.

06/06/2026

THE ORIGINAL AND THE COUNTERFEIT

A Reflection on Authentic Christianity in the Light of Scripture and the Holy Fathers

By Fr. John Shalhoub
6 June 2026

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
— Matthew 7:15-16

One of the greatest challenges facing the Christian life is learning to distinguish between what is authentic and what is merely an imitation. Not everything that appears holy is holy. Not everything that speaks the language of faith possesses the spirit of Christ.
Throughout history, the Church has encountered individuals who loved power more than service, certainty more than humility, and rules more than mercy. They appeared religious, yet their hearts remained far from the God they professed to serve.
Our Lord Himself confronted this reality repeatedly.

The fiercest opposition Christ encountered did not come from pagans or sinners. It came from religious leaders who possessed knowledge without love and authority without compassion.
Christ rebuked them, saying:
"This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."
— Matthew 15:8

The tragedy was not that they lacked religion; the tragedy was that they possessed religion without transformation.
The Spirit Versus the Letter
The Apostle Paul warns us:
"For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
— 2 Corinthians 3:6
The purpose of the law was never to imprison humanity but to guide it toward communion with God.
Yet throughout history, many have mistaken the means for the end.
When Christ healed on the Sabbath, His opponents saw only a violation of regulations. Christ saw a suffering human being.
When Christ dined with sinners, His opponents saw impurity. Christ saw children of God in need of redemption.
When Christ forgave the adulterous woman, His opponents saw a legal case. Christ saw a wounded soul.
Thus, He declared:
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."
— Mark 2:27
The original Christian faith always places the human person at the center of God's redemptive love.
The Disease of Spiritual Pride
The most dangerous temptation in religion is not unbelief but spiritual pride.
Saint John Chrysostom writes:
"Nothing is so offensive to God as arrogance, especially spiritual arrogance."
The Pharisee in Christ's parable was not condemned because he fasted or prayed. He was condemned because he trusted in his own righteousness.
"God, I thank You that I am not like other men..."
— Luke 18:11
The Publican possessed none of the Pharisee's credentials, yet he went home justified because he possessed humility.
Saint Isaac the Syrian teaches:
"The humble man is greater than the man who raises the dead."
Why?
Because humility creates room for God, while pride leaves room only for oneself.
The counterfeit Christian is often identified by certainty without humility.
The authentic Christian is recognized by humility even when defending the truth.
The Danger of False Zeal
Not all zeal is holy.
Saint Paul himself once persecuted Christians out of religious zeal.
Later he confessed:
"They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge."
— Romans 10:2
Many people enter the Church seeking Christ.
Others enter carrying ideologies, agendas, or preconceived notions.
The sincere seeker desires transformation.
The ideologue desires control.
The seeker asks, "Teach me."
The ideologue declares, "Let me teach you."
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, one of the earliest Fathers of the Church, warned believers against those who create division while claiming superior knowledge.
For the Fathers, unity was never founded upon uniformity of personality or culture. It was founded upon participation in the life of Christ.
The Wisdom of the Ancient Christian Communities
The first disciples were called Christians in Antioch.
"The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
— Acts 11:26

Long before Christianity became fashionable or politically influential, believers in Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and throughout the Holy Land preserved the faith through persecution, suffering, and sacrifice.

The Church of the East learned that faith survives not through domination but through endurance.
Generations of believers carried Christianity through centuries of hardship because they understood something profound:
Christianity is not merely a system of beliefs.
Christianity is life in Christ.

Saint Athanasius teaches:
"God became man so that man might become god."
The goal of Christianity is not the accumulation of information but transformation through grace.
The goal is not to win arguments but to become saints.
The Fruits Reveal the Tree
Our Lord taught:
"Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
— Matthew 7:17

The true measure of faith is not how loudly one proclaims orthodoxy but whether one manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit:
"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
— Galatians 5:22-23

Where love is absent, Christ is absent.
Where compassion is absent, Christ is absent.
Where humility is absent, Christ is absent.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov famously said:
"Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and thousands around you will be saved."
He did not say, "Acquire arguments."
He did not say, "Acquire control."
He did not say, "Acquire superiority."
He said, "Acquire the Spirit."
The Marks of Authentic Christianity
Authentic Christianity is neither compromise nor rigidity.
It is truth united with love.
Saint Maximus the Confessor teaches that truth without love ceases to resemble Christ, for Christ Himself is both Truth and Love.
Authentic Christianity:
• Defends truth without cruelty.
• Preserves tradition without idolizing tradition.
• Welcomes sinners without celebrating sin.
• Practices humility without abandoning conviction.
• Corrects others without humiliating them.
• Serves rather than dominates.
Saint Basil the Great reminds us:
"The bread you keep belongs to the hungry; the cloak stored in your closet belongs to the naked."
For the Fathers, theology was always expressed through love.
A faith that produces pride is suspect.
A faith that produces mercy reflects Christ.

Conclusion: Christ Above All
After many decades of ministry, observation, and experience, one lesson becomes increasingly clear:
The greatest danger to the Church rarely comes from outside.
It often comes from those who know the language of religion but have forgotten the spirit of Christ.

The Church must always be vigilant against counterfeit spirituality—religion that appears holy but lacks humility, compassion, and love.
Saint Isaac the Syrian offers perhaps the final word:
"Make peace with yourself, and heaven and earth will make peace with you."

The authentic Christian is recognized not by how much he speaks about Christ, but by how much he resembles Him.
May we seek not merely to appear religious, but to become Christ-like.
May we pursue not the appearance of holiness, but holiness itself.

May we always choose the original over the counterfeit:
Humility over pride.
Mercy over judgment.
Love over fear.
Christ over self.
For where Christ is, there is freedom, truth, compassion, and life everlasting.
Amen.

Footnotes:
This version draws from Matthew 7, Matthew 15, Mark 2, Luke 18, Romans 10, Acts 11, Galatians 5, and 2 Corinthians 3, while incorporating St. John Chrysostom, St. Isaac the Syrian, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Athanasius, St. Basil the Great, St. Maximus the Confessor, and St. Seraphim of Sarov—all of whom reinforce Fr. John's central distinction between authentic Christianity and a counterfeit faith rooted in pride, legalism, and spiritual superiority.

06/06/2026

تَأَمُّلٌ صَبَاحِيٌّ جَمِيلٌ وَصَلَاةٌ مِنْ أَجْلِ السَّلَامِ
لِلأَبِ جان شَلْهوب
٦ حَزِيرَان ٢٠٢٦ – ٨:٠٢ صَبَاحًا
صَبَاحُ الْخَيْرِ لِكُلِّ مَنْ يَسْمَعُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَاتِ أَوْ يَأْخُذُ لَحْظَةً لِقِرَاءَتِهَا.
مَا أَجْمَلَ هَذَا الصَّبَاحَ الَّذِي وَهَبَنَا اللهُ إِيَّاهُ! فَالشَّمْسُ تُشْرِقُ بِبَهَائِهَا، وَالْهَوَاءُ دَافِئٌ وَلَطِيفٌ، وَالسَّمَاءُ تَمْتَدُّ فَوْقَنَا صَافِيَةً بِدُونِ غَيْمَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ. الطَّبِيعَةُ هَادِئَةٌ وَمُطْمَئِنَّةٌ وَتَدْعُونَا إِلَى التَّأَمُّلِ. وَإِذْ أَجْلِسُ هُنَا مُسْتَمْتِعًا بِدِفْءِ الشَّمْسِ الصَّبَاحِيَّةِ، أُدْرِكُ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى كَمْ هُوَ كَرِيمٌ إِلَهُنَا عَلَيْنَا.
فَكُلُّ شُرُوقٍ هُوَ عَطِيَّةٌ، وَكُلُّ نَفَسٍ هُوَ بَرَكَةٌ، وَكُلُّ يَوْمٍ جَدِيدٍ هُوَ فُرْصَةٌ لِنَبْدَأَ مِنْ جَدِيدٍ.
هَذَا الصَّبَاحَ، وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ نَحْوَ الْبَوَّابَةِ الرَّئِيسِيَّةِ لِمُجْتَمَعِنَا السَّكَنِيِّ، لَاحَظْتُ أَنَّهَا قَدْ تَعَرَّضَتْ لِأَضْرَارٍ كَبِيرَةٍ. فَقَدْ قَادَ أَحَدُهُمْ سَيَّارَتَهُ عَبْرَهَا، مُسَبِّبًا خَسَائِرَ وَأَذًى مَلْحُوظًا. وَمِنَ الطَّبِيعِيِّ أَنْ يَتَسَاءَلَ الْإِنْسَانُ: مَاذَا حَدَثَ؟ وَلِمَاذَا حَدَثَ؟
هَلْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ بِسَبَبِ الْإِهْمَالِ؟ أَمْ سُوءِ التَّقْدِيرِ؟ أَمْ لِسَبَبٍ آخَرَ لَا نَعْلَمُهُ؟
وَالْحَقِيقَةُ أَنَّنَا لَا نَعْرِفُ، وَلَيْسَ مِنْ دَوْرِنَا أَنْ نُدِينَ أَحَدًا.
بَلْ لِنُصَلِّ.
لِنُصَلِّ لِمَنْ تَضَرَّرُوا مِنْ هَذَا الْحَادِثِ، وَلِنُصَلِّ أَيْضًا مِنْ أَجْلِ الشَّخْصِ الْمَعْنِيِّ بِهِ. فَكُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ يَحْمِلُ فِي دَاخِلِهِ أَعْبَاءً لَا يَرَاهَا الْآخَرُونَ. فَهُنَاكَ مَنْ يُصَارِعُ الْأَلَمَ، أَوِ الْوَحْدَةَ، أَوِ الْإِدْمَانَ، أَوِ الْخَوْفَ، أَوِ الْحُزْنَ. وَرُبَّمَا لَنْ نَعْرِفَ قِصَّةَ أَحَدٍ كَامِلَةً، لَكِنَّ اللهَ يَعْرِفُ كُلَّ قَلْبٍ وَيَرَى كُلَّ نَفْسٍ.
وَمَعَ بَدَايَةِ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ، لِنَتَذَكَّرْ جَمِيعَ الَّذِينَ يُوَاجِهُونَ تَحَدِّيَاتٍ وَصُعُوبَاتٍ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْمَرْضَى فِي الْمُسْتَشْفَيَاتِ وَدُورِ الرِّعَايَةِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الَّذِينَ يَتَعَافَوْنَ مِنْ جِرَاحَةٍ أَوْ عَمَلِيَّةٍ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ مَنْ يَخْضَعُونَ لِلْعِلَاجِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْمُسِنِّينَ وَالْمُنْفَرِدِينَ وَالَّذِينَ يَقْتَرِبُونَ مِنَ الْمَرْحَلَةِ الْأَخِيرَةِ مِنْ رِحْلَتِهِمُ الْأَرْضِيَّةِ.
إِنَّ الْحَيَاةَ ثَمِينَةٌ، وَلَكِنَّهَا مُؤَقَّتَةٌ. نَحْنُ مُسَافِرُونَ فِي هَذَا الْعَالَمِ، نَمْضِي فِيهِ زَمَنًا قَصِيرًا، ثُمَّ نَرْحَلُ. نَأْتِي إِلَيْهِ دُونَ أَنْ نَمْلِكَ شَيْئًا، وَنُغَادِرُهُ وَلَا نَحْمِلُ مَعَنَا إِلَّا مَا وَضَعْنَاهُ فِي قُلُوبِنَا مِنْ إِيمَانٍ وَمَحَبَّةٍ وَخَيْرٍ.
لَقَدْ أَغْدَقَ اللهُ عَلَى الْبَشَرِيَّةِ بِمَوَاهِبَ عَظِيمَةٍ. فَمَنَحَنَا الْعَقْلَ وَالْمَعْرِفَةَ وَالْعِلْمَ وَالطِّبَّ وَالْخِبْرَةَ. وَمِنْ خِلَالِ الْأَطِبَّاءِ وَالْمُمَرِّضِينَ وَالْمُقَدِّمِينَ لِلرِّعَايَةِ وَالْبَاحِثِينَ، يَسْتَمِرُّ اللهُ فِي عَمَلِهِ الشِّفَائِيِّ وَالرَّحِيمِ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ.
وَلَكِنْ، عَلَى الرَّغْمِ مِنْ كُلِّ هَذِهِ الْبَرَكَاتِ، لَا يَزَالُ هُنَاكَ مَنْ يَخْتَارُونَ طُرُقًا تُؤَدِّي إِلَى الْأَذَى بَدَلًا مِنَ الشِّفَاءِ، وَإِلَى الْفُرْقَةِ بَدَلًا مِنَ الْوَحْدَةِ، وَإِلَى الْكَذِبِ بَدَلًا مِنَ الْحَقِّ.
وَهَذِهِ حَقِيقَةٌ رَافَقَتِ الْإِنْسَانِيَّةَ مُنْذُ الْقِدَمِ.
لَكِنَّ الظَّلَامَ لَا يُهْزَمُ بِظَلَامٍ أَكْثَرَ.
وَالْكَرَاهِيَةُ لَا تُشْفَى بِالْكَرَاهِيَةِ.
وَالْعُنْفُ لَا يَصْنَعُ سَلَامًا.
إِنَّ الْجَوَابَ هُوَ الْمَحَبَّةُ الْمُقْتَرِنَةُ بِالْحَقِّ، وَالرَّحْمَةُ الْمُسْتَنِدَةُ إِلَى الْحِكْمَةِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ الْمُتَجَذِّرَةُ فِي الْإِيمَانِ.
لِذَلِكَ، فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ الْجَمِيلِ، اسْتَمْتِعُوا بِعَطَايَا اللهِ الْبَسِيطَةِ.
اسْتَمْتِعُوا بِفِنْجَانِ الْقَهْوَةِ.
وَبِوَجْبَةِ الْفُطُورِ.
وَبِثَمَرَةِ تُفَّاحٍ أَوْ مَوْزٍ.
وَبِكُلِّ بَرَكَةٍ وُضِعَتْ أَمَامَكُمْ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ.
تَوَقَّفُوا لَحْظَةً وَتَأَمَّلُوا جَمَالَ الْخَلِيقَةِ.
اسْتَمِعُوا إِلَى زَقْزَقَةِ الطُّيُورِ.
اشْعُرُوا بِدِفْءِ الشَّمْسِ.
وَانْظُرُوا إِلَى النِّعَمِ الصَّغِيرَةِ الَّتِي كَثِيرًا مَا نَغْفُلُ عَنْهَا.
فَالْحَيَاةُ فِي حَدِّ ذَاتِهَا مُعْجِزَةٌ.
وَبَيْنَمَا نَسْتَمْتِعُ بِهَذِهِ الْعَطَايَا، لِنَرْفَعْ قُلُوبَنَا إِلَى اللهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ.
لِنُصَلِّ مِنْ أَجْلِ السَّلَامِ.
سَلَامٌ فِي بُيُوتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ فِي عَائِلَاتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ فِي مُجْتَمَعَاتِنَا.
سَلَامٌ بَيْنَ الشُّعُوبِ وَالْأُمَمِ.
سَلَامٌ فِي الْمَنَاطِقِ الَّتِي تُمَزِّقُهَا الْحُرُوبُ وَالْعُنْفُ.
سَلَامٌ لِلْمُتْعَبِينَ وَحَامِلِي الْأَثْقَالِ.
سَلَامٌ لِكُلِّ مَنْ يَبْحَثُ عَنِ الرَّجَاءِ.
سَلَامٌ لِكُلِّ قَلْبٍ بَشَرِيٍّ.
عَسَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي تَتَعَلَّمُ فِيهِ الْبَشَرِيَّةُ أَنْ تَعِيشَ مَعًا، لَا بِالْخَوْفِ بَلْ بِالتَّفَاهُمِ، وَلَا بِالْقُوَّةِ بَلْ بِالِاحْتِرَامِ، وَلَا بِالسِّلَاحِ بَلْ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَحُسْنِ النِّيَّةِ.
لِيَرْحَمْنَا اللهُ جَمِيعًا.
وَلْيُرْشِدْ أَفْكَارَنَا وَكَلِمَاتِنَا وَأَعْمَالَنَا.
وَلْيَجْعَلْ مِنَّا أَدَوَاتٍ لِلْمَحَبَّةِ وَاللُّطْفِ حَيْثُمَا ذَهَبْنَا.
وَلْيَسْكُنْ سَلَامُهُ الَّذِي يَفُوقُ كُلَّ فَهْمٍ فِي قُلُوبِنَا الْيَوْمَ وَفِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ.
نَهَارُكُمْ مُبَارَكٌ، وَسَلَامُ اللهِ مَعَكُمْ جَمِيعًا.

06/06/2026

A Beautiful Morning Reflection and Prayer for Peace
By Father John Shalhoub
June 6, 2026 – 8:02 A.M.
Good morning to all who may hear these words or take a moment to read them.
What a beautiful morning God has given us. The sun is shining brightly, the air is warm and pleasant, and the sky stretches above us without a single cloud. Nature is quiet, peaceful, and inviting. As I sit here enjoying the morning sunshine, I am reminded once again of how generous God is to us. Every sunrise is a gift. Every breath is a blessing. Every new day is an opportunity to begin again.
This morning, as I looked toward the main gate of our community, I noticed that it had been badly damaged. Someone had driven through it, causing considerable destruction. Naturally, one wonders what happened and why. Was it carelessness? Was it poor judgment? Was it something else entirely? The truth is that we do not know, and it is not for us to judge.
Instead, let us pray.
Let us pray not only for those who suffered loss or inconvenience because of the damage, but also for the person involved. Every person carries burdens that others cannot see. Some struggle with pain, loneliness, addiction, fear, confusion, or sorrow. We may never know another person's story, but God knows every heart completely.
As this day begins, let us also remember all those who are facing difficulties. Let us pray for those who are sick in hospitals and nursing homes. Let us pray for those recovering from surgery, those undergoing treatment, and those waiting anxiously for answers from doctors. Let us remember the elderly, the lonely, and those who may be approaching the final chapters of their earthly journey.
Life is precious, yet life is temporary. We are travelers passing through this world. We come into it with nothing, and we leave it carrying only what we have placed within our hearts.
God, in His wisdom and mercy, has provided humanity with remarkable gifts. He has blessed us with intelligence, education, medicine, science, and skilled hands. Through physicians, nurses, caregivers, researchers, and countless others, God continues His work of healing and compassion among His people. These gifts should never be taken for granted.
Yet despite all the blessings God has given us, there remain those who choose paths that bring harm rather than healing, division rather than unity, and dishonesty rather than truth. This has always been part of the human story. We see it in our communities, in our nations, and throughout the world.
But darkness is never overcome by more darkness.
The answer is not anger.
The answer is not hatred.
The answer is not revenge.
The answer is love guided by truth, compassion strengthened by wisdom, and prayer rooted in faith.
So, this morning, enjoy the simple gifts God has placed before you. Enjoy your cup of coffee. Enjoy your breakfast. Enjoy an apple, a banana, or whatever nourishment has been provided for you. Take a moment to look around and appreciate the beauty that still exists in the world.
Listen to the birds.
Feel the warmth of the sun.
Notice the quiet blessings that often go unseen.
Life itself is a miracle.
And while we enjoy these gifts, let us also lift our hearts in prayer.
Let us pray for peace.
Peace in our homes.
Peace in our families.
Peace in our communities.
Peace among nations.
Peace in places torn apart by war and violence.
Peace for those who carry heavy burdens.
Peace for those searching for hope.
Peace for every human heart.
May the day come when humanity learns to live together not through fear, but through understanding; not through force, but through respect; not through weapons, but through wisdom and goodwill.
May God have mercy upon us all.
May He guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
May He help us become instruments of kindness wherever we go.
And may His peace, which surpasses all understanding, dwell within our hearts today and always.
Have a blessed day, and may the peace of God be with each and every one of you.

06/06/2026

CANCER DOES NOT WIN
By Fr. John Shalhoub
June 5, 2026

Cancer may touch the body,
but it cannot reach the depths of the soul.
It cannot break your spirit.
It cannot extinguish your hope.
It cannot shake your faith.
It cannot silence your courage.
It cannot diminish your love.
It cannot take away the embrace of family,
nor can it steal the peace that God places within your heart.

And in ways we do not always understand,
it may become a path that leads you closer
to the loving presence of God—
your Eternal Father in Heaven.

For the one who walks with faith,
lives with hope,
and loves without measure,
victory is not determined by illness,
but by the soul's unwavering trust in God.

For Scripture reminds us:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8

And again:
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:16

For nothing—not sickness, suffering, nor death itself—
“Will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Romans 8:39

Cancer does not have the final word.
God does.

06/06/2026

السَّرَطَانُ لَا يَنْتَصِرُ

للأبِ جان شَلْهوب

٥ حَزِيرَان ٢٠٢٦

✦ لَنْ يَهْزِمَ رُوحَكَ
✦ لَنْ يُدَمِّرَ رَجَاءَكَ
✦ لَنْ يُضْعِفَ إِيمَانَكَ
✦ لَنْ يُثْبِطَ عَزِيمَتَكَ
✦ لَنْ يَحْرِمَكَ مِنْ مَحَبَّتِكَ
✦ لَنْ يُبْعِدَ عَنْكَ عَائِلَتَكَ
✦ وَلَنْ يَسْلُبَ سَلَامَكَ
بَلْ سَيُقَرِّبُكَ إِلَى اللهِ
أَبِيكَ السَّمَاوِيِّ الْأَزَلِيِّ.
❤️
«اِقْتَرِبُوا إِلَى اللهِ فَيَقْتَرِبَ إِلَيْكُمْ»�(يَعْقُوب ٤: ٨)

إِيمَانٌ • رَجَاءٌ • مَحَبَّةٌ
أَقْوَى مِنْ أَيِّ تَشْخِيصٍ.

اللهُ هُوَ الْمُنْتَصِرُ
السَّرَطَانُ لَا يَمْلِكُ النَّصْرَ
بَلِ اللهُ هُوَ الْمُنْتَصِرُ.