Maronite Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rai presided over the Sunday Mass of the Entrance to Lent and the fourth anniversary of Monsignor Tawfiq Bou Hadir’s move to the Father’s House, in the Church of Our Lady in the Patriarchal edifice in Bkerke.
He was assisted in holding the Mass by Bishops Hanna Alwan and Antoine Awkar, Secretary of the Patriarchate, Father Camilleo Mikhael, Secretary of the Patriarchate, Father Fadi Tabet, and Fathers Youssef Nasr, George Yarak, and Michel Abboud, with the participation of a group of bishops, priests, and nuns, and in the presence of Representative Nima Ephrem, Dean of the Maronite General Council, former Minister Wadih El Khazen, President of the Maronite General Council, Michel Matta, Secretary General of the Maronite Foundation. For the spread, Hiyam Al-Bustani, the family of the late Monsignor Tawfiq Bou Hadir, and a large group of personalities and believers.
After reciting the Holy Gospel, the shepherd delivered a sermon entitled: “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee,” in which he stressed that the Church receives the season of fasting with joy, not sadness, indicating that fasting is essentially a time for profound internal change, where Christ can transform human weakness into strength, and sin into grace, as he did when he turned water into excellent wine in Cana of Galilee. He pointed out that Jesus began his message by sharing the joy of the wedding, not with judgment, thereby demonstrating his divine identity and completing the joy of the wedding, which led his disciples to believe in him.
The shepherd also welcomed those present in this divine liturgy, and stopped at the memory of Monsignor Tawfiq Bou Hadir, recalling his good priestly qualities, especially humility, openness, faith, love, and future vision, and pointing to his prominent role in youth pastoralism and the establishment of many pastoral and development initiatives, associations, and projects. He concluded his speech by praying for the comfort of himself and his family.
Regarding national affairs, Al-Rahi expressed his solidarity with the people of Tripoli following the collapse of a number of buildings, offering condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded, and appreciating the solidarity initiatives. He pointed out that there are more than 114 buildings at risk of collapse, issuing a call to officials to take the necessary measures and help residents provide safe accommodation.
Al-Rahi touched on the meanings of the wedding in Cana of Galilee, considering that Christ enters history as a new bridegroom to transform the human story from an age of deficiency to a wedding of grace, and that the intervention of the Virgin Mary represents an example of the trust that precedes the miracle. He stressed that the miracle was not just saving a wedding party from embarrassment, but rather it was a declaration of identity and a renewal of reality, as joy returned and faith was strengthened at the same time.
He explained that Cana Sunday is the beginning of fasting, with its call to internal transformation, considering that fasting is not just abstaining from food, but rather a transition from superficiality to depth and from habit to relationship. He linked this to the national situation, saying that the homeland is not just an abstract idea but rather a “shared wedding” and that national change begins with changing the personal self, because a changed heart is the foundation of a renewed society.
In conclusion, the shepherd stressed that the time of fasting is an opportunity to open hearts to Christ, calling for entering into this time with a spirit of joy and confidence, believing that the one who turned water into wine is able to make fasting a true journey of joy that leads to Easter of Resurrection.
