The talk warns, referring to Ezekiel 34, about the shepherds who “shepherd themselves” instead of shepherding the sheep, and emphasizes that the priest or true shepherd must forget himself and care for his sheep spiritually and practically, not make his interest, comfort, authority, or money his goal.

The spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)

• The warning is directed especially to men of service: some care about money or comfort or rank so that the spiritual care of the people deteriorates.

• The shepherd must be like Christ “the good shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep, as David, Paul and Moses did in the examples of the text.

• True service appears in continual prayer for people, in visitation, in fasting for others’ sake, and in enduring toil and insult for his flock.

Practical and spiritual applications

• The use of resources and talents must be with wisdom: what is given to the church or to ministry must not be used for personal luxury, but for caring for others.

• Gifts and money given to the church should be used for the needy (“the Lord’s brethren”) without narrow restrictions if no condition was placed.

• The shepherd is responsible before God for the measure of his care and will be judged for neglecting the flock.

A call to sacrifice and service

• Authentic pastoral care means forgetting oneself and remembering others: “forget yourself and remember others.”

• Examples of the saints and apostles call to self-giving, working with watchfulness, fasting and hard labor for the sake of souls’ salvation, not personal comforts.

Educational conclusion

Christian service in the Coptic Church requires a balance between caring for one’s own spiritual life and caring for the flock, but if interests collide the people’s welfare must be preferred. The true shepherd is the one who judges himself before God and pours out himself not to receive but to give.

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