In this sermon, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III contemplates the concept of truth and justice from a deep spiritual and biblical perspective. He begins by explaining that truth means complete honesty, as half-truths are not truths at all. Truth must be told entirely, without distortion or omission. To mention only part of the truth is to mislead others.

He then explains that truth also means giving everyone what they deserve, that is, respecting the rights of others, both material and moral. Here, truth stands opposite to injustice; the righteous person is the one who gives each their due.

Another meaning of truth is what is genuine and not false, since many people are Christians or believers in name only, not in reality. True spiritual life is measured not by words but by deeds and purity of heart.

He highlights that hypocrisy and flattery stand against truth, for the hypocrite lives in falsehood—praying or fasting to be seen by people rather than to please God. Likewise, defending the wrongdoer or indulging in empty praise is straying from truth.

Then, Pope Shenouda connects truth with justice, for God is just—He does not justify the guilty nor condemn the innocent. True truth is inseparable from divine justice. Believing rumors without verification or defending someone blindly leads away from God’s truth.

Finally, he teaches that truth is God Himself, for Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Whoever departs from truth departs from God. Thus, the Christian must walk in truth, with honesty and fairness, without double standards, reflecting the justice and light of God in the world.

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