FALL 2019 |
VOLUME NO 2 | ISSUE 2
CMANA Connection
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR THE STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE COPTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
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A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON WEALTH
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Details on this year's student conference in Boston, MA
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BOOK REVIEW: ON WEALTH & POVERTY by St. John Chrysostom Review by Miriam Saleh
THE HEALING POWER OF TOUCH Dr. Nardine Bekhit
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Dr. Ayman Iskander
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM STRUCTURE Nardin Daries
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TESTIMONIAL: BOLIVIA 2019 Mariz Gobrial
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A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON WEALTH DR. AYMAN ISKANDER What happens when one’s income doubles, triples or even increases by six or seven folds? Well, for some this could represent the achievement they have been waiting for and the beginning of a grandiose life filled with indulgence and luxury. For others, this could be perceived as a curse that hinders his or her salvation; after all, we were always taught,
“it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt 19:24). The majority, however, struggle to enjoy a sumptuous life without sometimes feeling guilty. So how does a true Christian deal with wealth? In order to answer this question, we have to correct some misconceptions and learn certain fundamentals about wealth.
IS BEING RICH A SIN? SHOULD I FEEL GUILTY IF I AM RICH? Absolutely not. The Lord wants His children to be successful and prosperous; “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.” (Genesis 39:2).
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is one of the greatest virtues to learn early in your life. If you are satisfied and happy with what you have, you will live in peace and will rarely lust for material possessions. The contrary is greed and you will feel that there will never be enough. St. Paul elegantly says, “those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness.” (Ecc 5:10) It is a fact that depression and even suicide are common among the richest people, simply because they were never content with what they possessed and always felt a void in their hearts.
BE IN SYNC WITH GOD’S MINDSET ON WEALTH.
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Do you crave and desire money? If so, you will be a slave to it, falling into the snare, thus losing your peace and ultimately your salvation like the young rich man did. Do you view money as a avenue to fulfill God’s commandments? If so, God will desire to make you more and more prosperous to serve his ministry. Some of the greatest people in the Bible were rich and were indeed favored by God: Abraham, Joseph, David and Solomon, just to name a few. Jesus received the expensive gifts of Mary and the woman who anointed Him and He praised her for them. He allowed the rich Joseph of Arimathea to bury Him. Life itself started as an extravagant paradise and will end as a deluxe kingdom.
CONTENTMENT
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This mindset assumes that you are merely a “steward” of His money and not an owner of this wealth. Your entire wealth belongs to Him, not only the 10 percent!
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In fact, the Lord wants you to work harder to be successful, “but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4). It’s “the love for money that is the root of all evil” ( 1 Tom 6:10) and the idolatry of materialism that is sinful. Money per se is neither evil nor righteous, such as the internet can be used to build or harm. Just because you have millions of dollars in the bank, doesn’t mean you “love” money, and just because you have a few bucks in the bank doesn’t prove you hate money. It is your attitude and heart toward money that dictate the type of person you are.
- St. Francis of Assisi
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BE WISE MANAGING THE WEALTH. GIVE AT ALL TIMES.
“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.” (Proverbs 21:20). You can either spend, save, or share. Plan well knowing that “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty” (Proverbs 21:5)
Give your tithe and more because there is no denial that the Lord promises to give you back in abundance.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven. And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it”. (Malachi 3:10) “Honor the Lord with your wealth…and your barns will be filled to overflowing.” (Proverbs 3:9-10) “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over”. (Luke 6:38)
Bottom line is: the blessings of giving are overwhelming. So give in generosity wrapped in joy, love and compassion. Remember, your tithe should be the first and the best not the left over, this is in honor and reverence to God. Also, your tithes are due to God, not clergy, board or individuals. In giving, you show love to God and His creation, thus fulfilling the two greatest commandments. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt 22:37-39). Finally, not only that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), but also “it is in giving that we receive.” (St. Francis of Assisii).
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"IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE"
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TRUST ONLY IN GOD,
WELL DONE, MY
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not in any person or material. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Remember, when God guides, He will provide.
GOOD AND
SERVANT
MATTHEW 25:21
LEARN SELFCONTROL.
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Learn when to say no spending, or even better, when to say no to new opportunities that might take you away from your family, your service, or your salvation despite how alluring and glamorous they might appear.
To conclude beloved, God will not measure your success by the value of your W2, the balance in your bank account, the kind of car you drive, or the size of your house. What really matters is how faithful you were to God’s call in your life and how you used your God-given gifts and talents to bring yourself, your family and others to Him for the glory for His name. Christ said it plainly: “Take heed and beware of covetousness (greed), for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)Simply, be content and give generously and you can hear Him saying, “well done my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) while remembering “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”(Mark 8:36)
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FAITHFUL
Finally, I’d like to leave you with some practical strategies to best handle money in your life:
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When possible, pay your debts, like student loans and mortgage as quick as you can. In general, there is no major tax benefit from keeping a mortgage. “The borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverb 22:7).
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Once you have kids, invest in a college tuition program as early as you can. This pays off very well. If you’re well off, your children will not receive financial aid.
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If you can afford it, consider “permanent” life insurance over “term” life insurance. The former remains available to you after retirement, grows considerable over time and is tax-free upon withdrawal. The sooner you start, the more affordable it can be.
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Obviously, any financial advisor will recommend you to diversify your portfolio (stocks, bonds, cash). This is true for the portfolio, but it is also true for your investments in general. For instance, you should invest (cautiously) in the market while keeping a cash reserve for emergencies. You should invest in direct real estates, like buying properties as second/vacation home and put it out for rent. Carefully consider startups especially in your field. When raising kids as wealthy parents, please do not spoil them. Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean they should have it! You want to raise responsible, balanced children who grasp the earning mentality not the entitlement one. Otherwise, we are raising prodigal sons. When you have a family, it is much more important to spend time with spouse and children than it is to work harder to make more money. Your family is your ultimate asset.
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Unless you are truly investment savvy, try to avoid the temptation of excessive investment in the stock exchange. This market is unpredictable and occasionally volatile.
BOOK REVIEW: ON WEALTH AND POVERTY BY ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM REVIEW BY MIRIAM SALEH
Saint John spoke more about the love of money as an affliction we should sympathize with rather than a flaw for us to point fingers at. In fact, in certain parts of the book he began to pray for them all while asking us each to confess our need for sympathy. His compassion should come as no surprise, as he did live through the cross-roads of Christianity. However, I did find his contemplation on the weakness for wealth necessary. Explaining why money makes us act/think in a certain way is more beneficial than blaming those who have an unhealthy longing for it; Saint John Chrysostom unduly explains how we, as Christians, should view this as a sickness or a disability.
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It’s definitely no secret that the Bible is very descriptive when it comes to discussing wealth. Of course there’s the famous, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25), the famous “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), and many more, but I think Saint John Chrysostom’s “On Wealth and Poverty” should be the “footnotes”, per se, for those types of verses. More specifically, the book is divided up into seven meaningful chapters on the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16: 19-21) and how voluntary or involuntary suffering related to money can further edify us.
BOOK REVIEW
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He explains that although you don’t always sympathize with someone who consciously is choosing sin, you do tend to sympathize with those who are amid their punishment.
You might judge the person who purposefully doesn’t take their medication, who doesn’t make healthy choices, or who doesn’t follow a physician’s orders. You don’t, however, judge the person in the hospital, the person with a disability/condition, or the person who lost the ability to see or hear. (Yes, he used medical examples along the way. Pretty relatable, no?) With the love of money, however, mere dependence is a punishment. Saint John Chrysostom explains being this engrossed in money can be similar to a bitter addiction that you don’t know how to remove yourself from… that’s the “punishment” if you will. Saint John urges us to have compassion for their unhealthy dependency because it’s still “a bitter taste”, as he puts it, to be dependent on something that isn’t our God. As for discussing our love for money, your only Healer and your only
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ON WEALTH AND POVERTY BY ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
medicine is God. Saint John did acknowledge poverty as an earthly misfortune, however, commentators found it purposeful for him to not explain how to escape from it. Saint John wanted to concentrate on how the poor must maintain responsibility to God through faithfulness, maintaining trust in Him, and through removing all inward bitterness from the heart. As previously stated, Lazarus was used as the spine of the book; Lazarus was the ultimate example of the spiritual prosperity that comes from poverty. To Saint John Chrysostom, those who are poor while being “patient without complaint” are regarded as gold in the eyes of God whereas those who are wealthy must still hold their property as stewards for the poor. Saint John Chrysostom concentrates on how the rich can maintain faithful to God through hospitality and almsgiving.
BOOK REVIEW
CONTINUED
ON WEALTH AND POVERTY BY ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Personally, this book deeply taught me that money is still part of what it means to sanctify the day. (Reminder: sanctifying the day means to remind yourself that you cannot separate your spiritual life from your secular life! It’s all connected in one way or another.) The temptations we have with money, whether it’s the lack thereof or the abundance of it, will still matter on Judgement Day.
We’re each called to be grafted in His Vine in different ways, including financial. Although Saint John Chrysostom is a much older writer, I still saw his writings to be relatable. With him being a fourth-century writer, it did surprise me that he changed my viewpoints on money. This just shows that books like these are the ultimate proof that any salvific message will always adapt to its time. Saint John Chrysostom’s writings are truly a grace given to us; I now truly see why we call him “golden mouthed.”
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The rich and the poor have different yet equal responsibilities to God.
CMANA CONFERENCE 2019 STUDENT &
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
ARE YOU SEEING 2020?
L O
O K I N G
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law Psalm 119:18
DECEMBER 20-22 BOSTON, MA
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THROUGH THE EYES OF CHRIST
touch
DR. NARDINE BEKHIT NOITCENNOC ANAMC • 21 EGAP
THE HEALING POWER OF
“And a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” Luke 13:11-13
As Christian healthcare professionals, we are uniquely positioned to serve humanity in a way that draws on many similarities from the life of Christ. In fact, not only does the Bible describe Christ as the True Physician, but we find an example of virtually every medical specialty: dermatology (Luke 17:11-19) , hematology (Mark 5:25-29), neurology (Matthew 8:5-13), ophthalmology (John 9:1, 6-7), orthopedics (Matthew 12:1013), pediatrics (John 4:46-53), plastic surgery (Luke 22:50-51), even chiropractic/osteopathy (Luke 13:11-13). Not many modern-day vocations can relate to Christ in such a diverse way!
When we read all these instances of different miracles of healing, there is a common pattern we notice: Christ would deliberately touch the sick and the disabled. But why? Surely Jesus, the Great Physician, need only say a word to achieve the same outcome – what was the purpose of doing these miracles while laying His hands on those who sought Him? The laying of hands is an act that dates back the Old Testament. It was typically ceremonial and was reserved for the priests. For example, priests would lay their hands on an animal sacrifice and confess the sins of the
people. In the New Testament, we see the same action done by Jesus, but this time with a much different intent; one of compassion and healing. In a society where the diseased were considered “unclean” and untouchable, this was highly significant. It symbolized acceptance and it assured them that they were not alone. Christ was not just healing physical ailments; he was healing their soul. His care was allencompassing: mind, body, and spirit.
It is also interesting to note that when the reverse would happen, it was also effective. When others would touch Him with the intent to be healed, they received the physical and spiritual relief that they sought. For example, the woman with the infirmity who thought to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well” (Mark 5:28). As soon as the woman touched His garments, Christ stopped in the middle of the crowd and asked, “Who touched Me?”, a question that puzzled the disciples since he was in a crowd being touched from all sides. But it was the intent of the sick woman that made the difference and set her apart from everyone else. In another instance, “they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him” (Mark 8:22) and again, “all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all” (Luke 6:19). We continue to see this habit in our modern-day church where touch continues to be a significant part of our worship. Whether it be in the form of taking
the blessings of a saint’s relics or taking a blessing from the priest’s hands - we reach our hands out seeking a blessing or healing through physical touch.
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THE HEALING CONTINUED POWER OF touch
What does this mean for our respective practices in healthcare? In general, the North American culture has shifted away from physical touch for various reasons, and this has had implications on how we interact with patients. In most cases in modern day medicine, patients rarely get touched with the intent to heal. Although not all healthcare fields offer the same opportunity for physical interaction their patients, we all should strive to connect with our patients with the same compassion our Lord expressed.
As Christian healers, we have a duty to see the patient in front of us as not a person with a disease, but as a human who needs to be cared for. Our calming and compassionate presence alone can bring comfort to a person who is suffering. Taking the example of Christ, we must be empathetic to how disease and pain has isolated the person from the ones they love. We have the capability of bringing health to the whole person by showing them that they are loved and not alone. Sometimes this takes the form of a healing touch, a sincere smile, or asking them a question about something completely unrelated that brings them joy. This powerful Christlike intention is what makes us different from anyone else in healthcare.
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM STRUCTURE
IN THE UNITED STATES NARDIN DERIAS
Medicare is paid for by payroll taxes and seeks to provide health care to mostly seniors, while Medicaid is paid for by state and federal taxes. Each state has different guidelines to determine who is eligible for Medicaid(1). Ultimately, the majority of Americans purchase their insurance from private insurance companies and this is usually done through their employer.
Insurance companies control a lot of what goes on behind the scenes; they can set reimbursement rates and quality control requirements. At the end of the day though, the insurance companies are merely a component of the overall system. Consumers must enroll in and pay for a plan as well as choose their providers. Providers then accept payments, abide by the established rules, and treat the patients that come to see them(1).
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The structure of the healthcare system can leave many wondering how it all truly works. Most Americans understand the value of having insurance, but where does this insurance come from? The health care system in the United States is structured differently than most other developed countries and is relatively fragmented. It is predominantly privatized, meaning that it is not owned by the government, but by companies. However, there are two major public health insurance programs that are funded by the government.
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM STRUCTURE There are those that do not fall into any of the above categories, those are the people that are uninsured. These patients are more likely to face adverse health events because they do not have access to consistent healthcare(1). Rather, they rely on community clinics or ultimately seek care once their condition has progressed to the point which necessitates hospitalization. The importance of preventative care for those that do not have health insurance becomes crucial when we look at our health care system. Not only do these patients not receive the care they deserve, but also the financial burden that the state and federal system must shoulder affects the ability to provide other health needs.
IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED There are many different types of healthcare systems and each of these has its pros and cons when compared. For example, Great Britain has a national health care system and the care is provided by government employees or contractors. Canada also operates a national health care system that is publicly funded, but relies on private practitioners. Germany, on the other hand, operates a socialized insurance system, meaning that is it funded through mandatory contributions(2). The complexities of each system are vast and those working in health care have varying opinions on which system works better, but the bottom line is
healthcare is a basic
We cannot expect individuals to be contributing members of our society in their own unique ways and to function at their optimal levels if their ability to maintain their health is compromised. As future physicians, the need to be aware of changes to the health care system and to advocate for patients is becoming increasingly more imperative. (1) https://www.aicgs.org/2012/03/structure-of-the-u-s-health-care-system/ (2) http://samples.jbpub.com/9781284110067/chapter4.pdf
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human right for all.
TESTIMONIAL Bolivia Health Education Trip 2019 MARIZ GOBRIAL
I arrived to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and lo and behold, the airport had misrouted all of my baggage. Again, I should have been freaking out, but even from the beginning God wanted to show that He is the provider of even the smallest needs. How do I know? I woke up the next morning, and every single girl was ready to give me of her limited resources the whole span of the trip. I knew right there and then that undying connections were going to be made in the coming week. The mission as a whole consisted of visiting different villages, an orphanage, day care centers, and a home for those who are disabled mentally and physically. We prayed the liturgy in two Anba Youssef praying of the villages, and every time, I was in El Torno always in true awe at how no matter where one can be in the world, no matter what language is spoken, the beauty of the liturgy is still the same.
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Sitting in my living room one day, scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw the advertisement for the CMANA trip to Bolivia. My thoughts went as follows...I have never been to Bolivia...I need to find God...I don’t speak a bit of Spanish...I want to go on a mission trip...I don’t know what CMANA is...let’s sign up. A week later, my ticket itinerary was in my mailbox. Never mind the language barrier, the unknown country, or the fact that I did not know anybody else signing up. Don’t take this lightly, CMANA Bolivia Health Ed Group all throughout my life, I have planned 2019 with Anba Youssef every single step, knowing every component and predicting all possible outcomes. I take comfort in control and predictability, so signing up for this whole trip must have been God because it defied all aspects of my personality. Yet...there was peace in the midst of all of my mind’s fears.
TESTIMONIAL
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At each place, we spent several hours gathering the kids in the area and playing with them. We would start with a spiritual lesson, song, or skit, and then we would teach the health lessons. The kids really enjoyed playing games and doing hands on activities about nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention. Seeing their joy at the simplest activities and the simplest gifts given would melt any heart. Truthfully, at the end of the day, the lessons did not matter and were no longer the center focus, it became more about being there, sharing in the love of Jesus for His kids, and their joy was enough of a reward.
This trip was only a week, but I can say now that its lessons will last me a lifetime. I am forever grateful for the children, the servants, and the priests I met there and learned from what the meaning of service is. Furthermore, through this group, God gave me a second family of people I know I now have a lasting connection with. Paul with his finished masterpiece
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The service that most impacted me personally was the visitation of the home for those who are disabled mentally and physically. Before walking in, Riad, one of the servants from the church told us that many of them cannot speak or process what is happening, but we can show them love by smiling and touching. Going in, seeing many of them on beds, many of them unmoving, but some becoming attentive to us as visitors, I was reminded by how much Jesus himself used the act of touch to show His love and compassion to heal not only physically but emotionally. That day, in that home, maybe they could not speak to us or fully comprehend One of the residents us, but holding each other’s hands, giving hugs, touching showing Mike around shoulders, there was a language of love from both ends. As we stayed longer, and got to spend more time, we were all struck by an artist’s hidden talent. His name was Paul, and he thrives off of painting real life scenes on canvas. He took the time to show us how he paints a sunset theme, and the whole time, we were captivated by his art and his joyful spirit. In that moment, one realizes that the disability is not the person’s full definition.
Valle Sanchez, village next to the Orphanage
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El Torno Village
Remanso Day Care
Village for the Homeless
Anba Abraham Day Care
San Jorge Day Care
For more information about missions, please visit: www.cmanamerica.org/missions
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WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please contact us at cmanastudents@cmanamerica.org
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