His Holiness Pope Shenouda speaks about the meaning of the General Resurrection and what follows it — judgment, reward, and punishment. He explains that the final reckoning cannot occur immediately after death because both the soul and the body participate together in all human actions. Therefore, judgment must wait until the resurrection, when the soul is reunited with the body so that the person may be judged as a complete being.
He teaches that all of a person’s deeds — visible and hidden, thoughts and intentions — follow him after death, and that the only escape from their consequences is through true repentance. True repentance, he explains, is not merely ceasing to sin but hating sin, correcting its results, and erasing its effects in practical ways (such as restoring wrongs and repairing reputations). Repentance also has a positive side: loving God and continually doing good.
The Pope urges everyone to judge themselves before the Day of Judgment, and never let a day pass without doing good, because every good deed — even a kind word, a smile, a piece of advice, or defending an oppressed person — will be rewarded in the resurrection. Even good intentions are counted before God.
He concludes with a prayer for peace and prosperity for the country, for divine strength and guidance to President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, and a blessing for all people.

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