On Sunday, June 22, 2025, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, celebrated the Holy Liturgy at Mor Gabriel Church in Haworth, New Jersey, assisted by Rev. Fr. Stefanos Guven, who joined us from Sweden, and in the presence of Raban Saliba Er the parish priest, V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Shabo, V. Rev. Fr. Aziz Hadodo and Rev. Fr. Joseph Shammas was.
His Eminence delivered his sermon based on Matthew 10:34–42, connecting this Gospel reading to the ongoing spirit of Pentecost. His Eminence began his sermon by saying that the Holy Spirit did not come just to comfort us but to burn us, to send us out, to transform us from spectators to witnesses. He reminded us that the peace of Christ is not the peace of the world, but one that often divides because it purifies.
He also mentioned how the Christian home is often where the cross is first carried and it’s in our homes where we must teach our children not just to be successful, but to seek first the Kingdom of God.
His Eminence concluded by saying: May we not seek an easy peace, but a true peace a peace built on the truth of the Gospel, the sword of the Word, and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
