Meditation …
Your eternity, my brother!
How short our life on earth is! It is nothing when measured against the long eternity that never ends…
Therefore, my brother, take care of your eternity.
Sit with yourself for a long time, and think about the other world. Think about where you will settle after leaving this world. Meditate on the heavenly Jerusalem and the assembly of angels and saints, and God Himself and His dwelling among people… And also meditate on the dreadful Day of Judgment… and care about your eternal destiny.

My beloved brother: I am concerned for your eternity. It pains me that you might lose your soul for which Christ died, or be deprived of God and hear Him say to you: “Depart from Me, I do not know you.” All this for the sake of passing worldly matters!!

What is fighting you, dear companion, in this exile of the world?
Is it dignity, position, authority, fame, reputation, the praise of people…? Or is it money, wealth, and the pride of life — the idol you look at and that rules over you, without you ruling over it? Or is it the lust of the flesh, in food or in impurity?!

And are these trivial things what are fighting you, my brother?! And for the sake of these matters you lose the kingdom and lose your eternity?!

And for these passing worldly things you become angry, agitated, and stirred up, losing your meekness, humility, inner peace, and peace with God, and lose your eternity?!

No, my brother. Overcome yourself. Do not love the world nor the things that are in the world, as the Apostle commanded us. Renounce everything, and your soul will rise above everything. Then you will preserve your eternity from being lost…

Your true dignity, my brother, is to be in the image and likeness of God. So are you so? Your eternity, my brother, your eternity — guard it for your own sake. And also pray for my soul.

1. An article by His Grace Bishop Shenouda, Bishop of Education – Al-Keraza Magazine, Second Year – Issues One and Two – January and February 1966

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