In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the difficult and deep dimension of church ministry, explaining that service is not glory nor honor, but rather a cross full of burdens, struggles, and spiritual warfare. He teaches that whoever wants to follow Christ must carry the cross of service with acceptance, wisdom, and humility, because the devil fights every successful ministry.

1. Service is not comfort but a cross

His Holiness emphasizes that service is not authority nor prestige, but a path of labor and endurance, just as the Lord said: “Whoever wants to follow Me, let him carry his cross.”

2. The devil resists the ministry

Every fruitful ministry is envied and fought by the devil through lies, rumors, accusations, and conspiracies. The priest may face betrayal or unjust hatred, as happened with David the Prophet.

3. Continuous public scrutiny

The priest is constantly observed:
People watch his words, actions, clothes, and behavior, and some search for faults, which increases the weight of his responsibilities.

4. Burdens that come from applying church law

The priest suffers when he must:

• Refuse unlawful marriages

• Prevent unworthy communions

• Arrange baptisms properly
  and this often leads to complaints or conflicts.

5. Pain from divisions and disagreements

The priest may suffer because of:

• Divisions among priests

• Disagreements in teaching or rituals

• Jealousy among servants

• Pressure from influential individuals in the church

6. Exhaustion from visitation and pastoral care

The priest may struggle without seeing fruit:
Family disputes, spiritual backsliding, stubborn confessors, false poor people, and even those who love him may demand beyond his capacity.

7. Continuous psychological pressure

People expect the priest to be:

• Always smiling

• Always available

• Without rest

• Able to endure criticism
  without anyone considering his own feelings or his family’s needs.

8. Dependence on the grace of God

His Holiness teaches that a priest cannot carry this cross without God’s grace, which strengthens him and helps him continue faithfully despite all exhaustion.

Spiritual summary

The cross of service is a true sharing in Christ’s sufferings. It is a path of love, sacrifice, and humility. A priest who serves with purity and prayer will find divine grace strengthening him, helping him endure, and granting fruit to his labor in its own time.

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