Between God’s Love and Human Ingratitude
General message
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III clarifies that the relationship between God and man is fundamentally based on God’s continuous love and His constant pursuit of human salvation, while opposing that is man’s ingratitude and his rejection of that salvation despite the evidences of God’s love.
Summary (spiritual and educational file)
- He begins the talk by affirming that the first thing God gives to man is giving and repeated love, and that God has always sought the salvation of humans by many means.
- He cites examples from the Holy Scripture of how God showed His mercy and miracles to the people and then faced their ingratitude and their worship of idols despite all that.
- He explains that the talents and blessings God grants may become a reason for man’s distancing from God if they are used for pride or oppression.
- He presents the story of sacrifices and atonement from Adam and Abel as a gradual divine teaching so that people understand the idea of redemption and blood as a symbol of salvation.
- He points out that God did not despair: after every fall God begins again with divine choices (Noah, Abraham, Jacob, then the Incarnation and Christ).
- He shows the necessity of a humble humanity (example of the Virgin Mary) that can bear this mystery and prepare the way for salvation.
- He mentions that Christ completed the plan that was taught through symbols, sacrifices and the prophets, and that the call to repentance continues through the apostles and divine signs.
- Spiritual conclusion: God’s love is firm and His mercy is not removed despite human stubbornness, and what is required from every believer is a responsive humble heart that accepts salvation and lives with hope and repentance.
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محبة الله
God’s Love
