The Week of Pain – The Weakness of Our Human Nature

In this profound sermon, Pope Shenouda III speaks about “Holy Week” as a double revelation: the power and love of Christ on one side, and the weakness and betrayal of humanity on the other. He explains that the entire life of the Lord Jesus was full of suffering from His birth to the Cross, as He endured persecution, trials, and accusations out of love for humankind, being “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”
The Pope explains that the sufferings of Christ are not only the path of redemption but also a comfort to every sufferer, for whoever suffers with Him will also be glorified with Him. Christ, in His passion, stood alone—facing the injustice of the wicked and the betrayal of friends—to reveal how deeply humanity depends on divine grace.
He emphasizes that human weakness lies not only in the body but also in the soul, and that even the greatest people fell when they departed from grace—from Adam to David to Peter. Yet God never despairs of man; He surrounds him with His care, sending His grace and the Holy Spirit to strengthen and support him.
The Pope calls every person to admit his weakness, for recognizing weakness leads to humility, cautious living, continual prayer, and seeking divine counsel and help. But those who think themselves strong fall into pride and destruction.
Those who feel their weakness, says the Pope, are merciful to others, do not judge or act harshly, but rather support the weak—just as Christ said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The sermon closes with a call to rely on God, who knows our frame and remembers that we are dust, granting us His strength to walk in humility and fear on the path of salvation.

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