The Journey of Hunger and Satisfaction

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II


Stories of the Planted Tree Series, Part 10, “The Journey of Hunger and Satisfaction”


H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon this evening during the Wednesday meeting from St. Mark’s Grand Cathedral in Alexandria. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C Channel, affiliated with the Media Center of the Church.

Before the Vespers prayers, His Holiness visited the art exhibition of the secondary school youth of Alexandria and took commemorative photos with the top students of the General Secondary, Technical Diplomas, and equivalent certificates.

Pope Tawadros then prayed Vespers, with the participation of Their Graces Bishop Pavly (General Bishop of the Montaza sector churches), and Bishop Hermina (General Bishop of the East Alexandria sector churches), along with the Hegumen Abram Emil (General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Alexandria), the priests of the church, some priests from Alexandria, the deacons’ choir, and a large congregation that filled the church.

After the conclusion of Vespers, His Holiness honored the outstanding students of the General Secondary, Technical Diplomas, foreign certificates, and their equivalents, in a celebration organized by the General Secretariat of the Secondary Service in Alexandria.

Pope Tawadros continued the series “Stories of the Planted Tree” and spoke today on the topic: “The Journey of Hunger and Satisfaction in the Holy Bible.” He read a passage from the Gospel according to St. John, chapter 6, verses 48–58, highlighting hunger and satisfaction in the history of the Church. He explained that ever since Adam and Eve ate of the tree and broke the commandment, hunger, nakedness, and fear entered the world.

Through the Holy Bible, His Holiness explained how sin makes man constantly hungry and thirsty, as follows:
-When the people hungered in the wilderness of Sinai, God gave them manna and quail daily.

– King Solomon, after falling into all sins, discovered: “All was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
– The Samaritan Woman heard the Lord Christ say: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst” (John 4:14). She then confessed her sins and went to the people saying: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did” (John 4:29).

His Holiness pointed out that sin causes a hunger of the heart, faith, soul, and inner being, not only physical hunger. True satisfaction can only be found in the hands of God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). This is why the Lord Christ came to earth: to give us His Body and Blood, to renew our nature, and to fulfill the work of redemption on the Cross.

Pope Tawadros presented three roles of the Lord Christ for the satisfaction of the world:

Savior of all mankind: In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered daily for sin, but in the New Testament Christ offered His Body as an eternal sacrifice throughout history: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body’” (Matthew 26:26).
Renewing our nature and giving us strength: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Being the model and example for us continually: Therefore, the Church continually remembers the name of God in praise, saying: “He gave joy to our souls at the remembrance of Your holy name.”

His Holiness then spoke about the journey of satisfaction within the life of the Church in several ways:

Satisfaction through the Word of God: Therefore, one of the practices of the Church is reading the Holy Bible daily: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion): Attending the Divine Liturgy makes us feel truly satisfied, for it is the Great Banquet.
The “Eulogia” (the blessed bread): which is shared with those who did not attend the Liturgy, so that they may receive the blessing and be satisfied.
The Aghapy meal: practiced in many churches today, where believers eat a meal of aghapy (love) together after the Divine Liturgy.
The fasting seasons: which are an opportunity to declare to God that life comes from Him, not from food, and this fills us with satisfaction.

His Holiness concluded by affirming that to truly live the journey of satisfaction, we must be filled with Christ, for Christ is the true satisfaction in life: “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15).

Finally, Pope Tawadros advised memorizing the verse: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).