27-Dec-2025 | Week 52
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The Heavenly Country
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
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“Here St. Paul emphasizes that the Old Testament men did not put their hope in temporary promises, as some believe, but saw the heavenly country, and the eternal promises hidden behind the temporary promises. They saw with the eyes of faith God’s eternal promises, were assured of them by faith, and embraced them by hard labour, because they were fervently longing for them. These promises gave them the feeling that they were strangers waiting for the Passover, to enjoy their heavenly country. No worldly matter, regardless of its magnitude, is worthy to distract us from our heavenly goal.”
~ Fr Tadros Malaty
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Question 1
How do we keep our eyes on the Heavenly goal without becoming distracted?