On Friday, September 19, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Presided over the Holy Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, at the Chapel of the Mor Aphrem Center in Paramus, New Jersey.
In his sermon, His Eminence mentioned the words of our Lord in Mark 13:30-37. He reminded the faithful that everything in this life, our wealth, power, and even our lives, will one day fade, but God’s Word is eternal. He also reminded them that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s coming. This mystery, he explained, is not to frighten us, but to keep us humble, prayerful, and always ready. His Eminence encouraged the faithful by saying that Christ’s call to “Take heed, watch and pray”means waking each day in faith through prayer, quick repentance, and generous love. He further reminded them of St. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
Finally, he concluded by saying that faithful watchfulness is shown in our daily lives: when families pray together and forgive each other before sleep, when students live honestly and avoid cheating because Christ is watching, and when workers carry out their duties with integrity, as though working for the Lord and not only for people (Colossians 3:23). He ended by encouraging everyone to live each day as if Christ may return today so that His coming will not be a surprise, but a great joy.
