Recognition
His Holiness Pope Shenouda affirms that fasting bears no spiritual fruit unless it is joined with honest self-examination and repentance before God. He calls believers to sit with themselves sincerely, reflect on their spiritual walk, and correct their mistakes.
The Importance of Self-Examination
He explains that many live in the whirl of daily life without stopping to think about their inner state. Like the prodigal son who began his repentance when “he sat with himself,” every person must daily examine his own thoughts and actions.
Hidden and Visible Sins
He points out that sins are not only what people see but also what is hidden in thought, intention, and heart. Anger is visible, but hatred is a hidden sin that needs awareness and repentance. Even dreams can arise from thoughts or desires that the person allowed into his mind by choice.
Examining Spiritual Growth
He encourages evaluating one’s relationship with God in prayer, communion, repentance, and love. Is prayer a duty or an act of love? Is the heart full of affection toward God? One must also check spiritual growth in virtues and practices, not just the length of prayer but its depth, warmth, and faith.
Repentance and Confession
He clarifies that true confession is judging oneself before God in the hearing of the priest, not merely telling stories. Repentance requires genuine regret and inner weeping like St. Peter’s tears. It changes the entire direction of life, not just temporary abstaining from sin.
Correcting the Results of Sin
His Holiness calls to repair the harm caused by sin—returning rights, restoring reputations, and making restitution like Zacchaeus who said: “If I have wronged anyone, I restore fourfold.”
Meaning of Forgiveness and the Sacrament of Confession
He explains that forgiveness is not just the priest’s words “God absolve you,” but because the sin is transferred from one’s account to Christ’s account, who bore it with His blood. The priest, as God’s steward, grants forgiveness through the Holy Spirit who applies the merits of Christ’s sacrifice.
Conditions for Forgiveness and True Repentance
Forgiveness requires faith and sincere repentance, for “there is no sin without forgiveness except the one without repentance.” True repentance is not only the negative act of leaving sin but a positive change—replacing worldly desires with spiritual longing for God and His kingdom.
Practical Application in Fasting
At the end, the Pope urges that the fasting period be a time for self-observation, self-accountability, correction, and transformation—so that one may live a renewed and genuine relationship with God.
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